Flyers Draft Review
Posted 4:23 PM ET | Comments 1
Pick #89: Michael Chaput, C, Lewiston (QMJHL)
The Flyers started off their draft by selecting Michael Chaput of the MAINEiacs.Chaput was ranked 81st in The Hockey News Draft Preview. Chaput had a solid season for Lewiston in the Q, with 28 goals and 27 assists in 68 games. He finished 2nd in point and 1st in goals for the MAINEiacs. Chaput put up a good amount of points but these came in the QMJHL, which is known for offense. Some scouts have questioned Chaput's toughness. That is definitely necessary if he wants to play for the Philadelphia Flyers. Chaput still has a lot of work to do but he and the Flyers hope he will develop into a solid two way player at the NHL level.
Pick #119: Tye McGinn, LW, Gatineau (QMJHL)
In the fourth round the Flyers selected Tye McGinn of the Gatineau Olympiques. McGinn is a pretty big guy at 6 foot 2 and 195 pounds but he was a major producer for Gatineau this season. He led his team in goals with 27, assists with 35, and points with 62. McGinn also doesn't shy away from the rough stuff which may have already won over some Flyers fans. McGinn may not be ready yet but with time he could develop into a solid forward in the NHL.
McGinn fight
http://www.youtube.com/wa...8;feature=player_embedded
Pick #149: Michael Parks, RW, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
At pick #149 the Flyers selected Michael Parks of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Parks scored 11 goals and 11 assists in 51 games in the USHL. Parks is a Missouri native, he is from around the same area as fellow prospect Patrick Maroon. Parks also won the gold medal with team USA at the Junior A Challenge in 2009. Parks is a speedy forward with good hands but he needs to get stronger to compete at higher levels. Parks will be attending the University of North Dakota, hopefully their he will improve his strength on the puck and find his scoring touch.
Pick #179: Nick Luukko, D, The Gunnery (CT USHS)
Son of Comcast-Spectactor president, Peter Luukko, Nick has a lot of pressure on him to perform in the Flyers organization. Peter expressed in an interview after the draft that he did not want Nick to be drafted by the Flyers because he would never get the credit he deserves as a player. But Nick is a solid defenseman, at 6 foot 2 and 180 pounds, the Flyers believe they can build him to NHL caliber. He's a big defenseman with good hockey sense. Nick will be playing in the USHL and then attending the University of Vermont.
Pick #206: Ricard Blidstrand, D, AIK J-20 (Swedish Juniors)
After trading Jonathan Matsumoto to the Carolina Hurricanes for pick #206 in the draft, the Flyers selected Ricard Blidstrand. At 6-2, 201 pounds, Blidstrand is a big, strong defenseman. Some scouts have said that they would like to see Blidstand use his strength and size more to his advantage. Blidstrand has a nice shot from the point and can play on the power play. Scouts have questioned his hockey sense and they would like him to work on his passing. Blidstand will play for the Regina Pats of the WHL next season.
Pick #209: Brendan Ranford, LW, Kamloops (WHL)
With the second to last pick in this years draft the Flyers selected Brendan Ranford from the Kamloops Blazers. This may have been a steal for the Flyers as Ranford was ranked 111th by Central Scouting. Ranford put up 29 goals and 36 in 72 games for Kamloops this season. Ranford might not be the biggest guy at 5-8, 182 pounds, but he isn't afraid to battle in the corners. Ranford isn't going to blow by anyone with his speed but he is a solid skater. Ranford is a gritty grinder type player who can score. The Flyers hope that Ranford will develop into a 3rd liner at the NHL level.
Ranford Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/wa...8;feature=player_embedded
For more visit http://flyersprospects.blogspot.com/
The Flyers started off their draft by selecting Michael Chaput of the MAINEiacs.Chaput was ranked 81st in The Hockey News Draft Preview. Chaput had a solid season for Lewiston in the Q, with 28 goals and 27 assists in 68 games. He finished 2nd in point and 1st in goals for the MAINEiacs. Chaput put up a good amount of points but these came in the QMJHL, which is known for offense. Some scouts have questioned Chaput's toughness. That is definitely necessary if he wants to play for the Philadelphia Flyers. Chaput still has a lot of work to do but he and the Flyers hope he will develop into a solid two way player at the NHL level.
Pick #119: Tye McGinn, LW, Gatineau (QMJHL)
In the fourth round the Flyers selected Tye McGinn of the Gatineau Olympiques. McGinn is a pretty big guy at 6 foot 2 and 195 pounds but he was a major producer for Gatineau this season. He led his team in goals with 27, assists with 35, and points with 62. McGinn also doesn't shy away from the rough stuff which may have already won over some Flyers fans. McGinn may not be ready yet but with time he could develop into a solid forward in the NHL.
McGinn fight
http://www.youtube.com/wa...8;feature=player_embedded
Pick #149: Michael Parks, RW, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
At pick #149 the Flyers selected Michael Parks of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Parks scored 11 goals and 11 assists in 51 games in the USHL. Parks is a Missouri native, he is from around the same area as fellow prospect Patrick Maroon. Parks also won the gold medal with team USA at the Junior A Challenge in 2009. Parks is a speedy forward with good hands but he needs to get stronger to compete at higher levels. Parks will be attending the University of North Dakota, hopefully their he will improve his strength on the puck and find his scoring touch.
Pick #179: Nick Luukko, D, The Gunnery (CT USHS)
Son of Comcast-Spectactor president, Peter Luukko, Nick has a lot of pressure on him to perform in the Flyers organization. Peter expressed in an interview after the draft that he did not want Nick to be drafted by the Flyers because he would never get the credit he deserves as a player. But Nick is a solid defenseman, at 6 foot 2 and 180 pounds, the Flyers believe they can build him to NHL caliber. He's a big defenseman with good hockey sense. Nick will be playing in the USHL and then attending the University of Vermont.
Pick #206: Ricard Blidstrand, D, AIK J-20 (Swedish Juniors)
After trading Jonathan Matsumoto to the Carolina Hurricanes for pick #206 in the draft, the Flyers selected Ricard Blidstrand. At 6-2, 201 pounds, Blidstrand is a big, strong defenseman. Some scouts have said that they would like to see Blidstand use his strength and size more to his advantage. Blidstrand has a nice shot from the point and can play on the power play. Scouts have questioned his hockey sense and they would like him to work on his passing. Blidstand will play for the Regina Pats of the WHL next season.
Pick #209: Brendan Ranford, LW, Kamloops (WHL)
With the second to last pick in this years draft the Flyers selected Brendan Ranford from the Kamloops Blazers. This may have been a steal for the Flyers as Ranford was ranked 111th by Central Scouting. Ranford put up 29 goals and 36 in 72 games for Kamloops this season. Ranford might not be the biggest guy at 5-8, 182 pounds, but he isn't afraid to battle in the corners. Ranford isn't going to blow by anyone with his speed but he is a solid skater. Ranford is a gritty grinder type player who can score. The Flyers hope that Ranford will develop into a 3rd liner at the NHL level.
Ranford Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/wa...8;feature=player_embedded
For more visit http://flyersprospects.blogspot.com/
I feel for Nick Lukko and his Dad. The Transparency they are going to have to live under to make it clear to the Flyer faithful that Nick is a real player with NHL potential is going to be tough. When I saw it i said that there was only one way that draft makes sense. And sure enough that was what happened. The Scouts overuled both Peter and Homer to get him later than they normally would have.