Stizzle
Registered User
- Feb 3, 2012
- 13,209
- 23,193
With the boards annual voting wrapping up and the new Pronman, Button, NHL.com, etc lists due out soon, here is my top 15 with thoughts included on some. Goalies are not included.
My rankings are based on, if all things were equal and I could only keep a certain number of players in my system, who I would keep. Team needs or how close they are to the NHL is not factored.
1 - Travis Sanheim (Defense: 1st rd, 2014)
He's close to the total package. His combination of size, skating, smarts, vision, offensive instincts, and athleticism are just incredibly rare. Sanheim is still a rapidly evolving and improving player with immense upside. In my opinion, most people haven't quite grasped what an awesome prospect he is yet. Why he isn't considered a very top tier prospect in some "expert" rankings is beyond me. Barring injury, I see him as a can't miss top pair defenseman with superstar #1 upside.
A subtle Sanheim play I made a gif of and posted during the season:
[collapse=Sanheim1]
[/collapse]
2 - Ivan Provorov (Defense: 1st rd, 2015)
I've gone back and watched a bunch of Provorov games since the draft. I don't really have anything groundbreaking to add to the million scouting reports that exist on him. They pretty much all say the same thing because he's very consistent and mistake free. Which is funny, because I saw 6 games of his late in the WHL playoffs and he looked awful. But from doing some reading, all indications point to him playing hurt. He is a super intelligent puck-mover, a stalwart in his own end, and doesn't mind being physical. I contend that his offense isn't on the same level as Sanheim or Gostisbehere, but that is not a slight, as I think very, very few defenseman prospects are on that level. I see him as a player who is easily projectable to the NHL with a high floor. Expecting a #2 defenseman seems completely reasonable, and certainly he has a chance to be a #1.
3 - Shayne Gostisbehere (Defense: 3rd rd, 2012)
I just think this guy is electric and has that special "it" factor. I recognize Morin has more upside but if I could only choose one or the other, all other things being equal, I'd probably choose Ghost. He's just too dynamic to pass on. In the end, I don't see his defense being an issue at all. At even strength, I'm comfortable projecting him as a solid 2nd pair defenseman that may end up better than that. On the powerplay, he should be a real catalyst and difference maker.
4 - Samuel Morin (Defense: 1st rd, 2013)
He is a real freak athlete and skater for a guy his size. Morin also has a natural edge that is very desirable and a good head on his shoulders. It's tough to project exactly how he'll end up, but his upside is great. As with all big guys, it just takes longer to develop as they become more comfortable and grow into themselves. The Flyers drafting Sanheim and Provorov might have been the best thing that could have happened for him. It will temper expectations and buy him the time he needs to properly develop away from the bright spot light. Rushing him is the worst thing we could have done last year with him almost making the team. It might have been a disaster. However, I think the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow could be a huge score if everyone practices patience and everything comes together. He's certainly tracking towards being at least a top 4 defenseman who is a big time PK'er.
5 - Travis Konecny (Forward: 1st rd, 2015)
This kid is really fun to watch. His motor is ridiculous and he has a super high skill level to go with it. I really like his shot, especially his release. Giving him any open ice is asking for trouble. He will definitely find a play to make. His size obviously isn't ideal, but shouldn't hold him back too much. Having concussions at a young age is the thing I'm concerned about. I may be overly sensitive to that issue since I had them at that age as well. Only time will tell. Expect a skilled top-6 RW that brings a lot to the table.
6 - Scott Laughton (Forward: 1st rd, 2012)
7 - Robert Hagg (Defense: 2nd rd, 2013)
8 - Nicolas Aube-Kubel (Forward: 2nd rd, 2014)
9 - Oscar Lindblom (Forward: 5th rd, 2014)
10 - Mark Friedman (Defense: 3rd rd, 2014)
One of only two guys on my list that I've never seen play. I hate going strictly off scouting reports and stats but all indications are fairly promising on this guy. Also, he's the ever-elusive right handed defenseman, which automatically gives him more value. The lack of quality right handed defensemen is a league wide issue, not just a Flyers issue, and you have to have some in your lineup. It would be a huge score to get a 3rd pair NHL defenseman out of him, but he's a long way from that at the moment. Unless you somehow have access to Bowling Green or old Waterloo games, any projection would just be guessing. But his stats look nice and reports on him being a high-end skater are encouraging.
11- Mikhail Vorobyov (Forward: 4th rd, 2015)
The other guy on my list I've never seen (no one on this board has). He sounds like a guy you can play in your bottom 6. He also has an outside chance to play on a 2nd line if he really hits his upside according to Todd Hearty. So he's not just the usual top 6 or bust type of prospect.
12 - David Kase (Forward: 5th rd, 2015)
I recently watched a few of his WJC games. He's quite noticeable even as an underage, which is a great sign. In his thread, I noted that he's a very tenacious checker and quite a pain to opposing players with the puck. I also noted that putting weight on him shouldn't be a problem. He may fit the dreaded top 6 or bust type of player, but I'm not entirely convinced of that. If his skating can improve, he has a shot to make it. There is a lot to like here. He's a smart, skilled player who is just young and physically immature.
13 - Radel Fazleev (Forward: 6th rd, 2014)
This is a player I have seen a ton and like quite a bit as a low end prospect. Fazleev has a skill-set that may translate into a well defined role as a 4th line center and PK'er.
14 - Taylor Leier (Forward: 4th rd, 2012)
Similar to Fazleev, I like him as a possible new-school 4th liner. He's a tad on the small side, but super heady. Leier can add offense but that isn't where he'll make his living if he can stick in the NHL. It's as a bottom 6 LW and PK'er, just as Team Canada used him a few years ago at the WJC.
15 - Nick Cousins (Forward: 3rd rd, 2011)
I felt compelled to rank him because he had such a great year in the AHL. It was very impressive. Especially considering what an offensive black hole that team was thanks mostly to Terry Murray's usual offensive suppression. Unfortunately, I just don't see a clear role for him ever in the NHL. He's not someone I want in my top 6 and his skill set doesn't translate all that well to a bottom 6 spot. I would be glad if he proves me wrong, but I pretty much see a career AHL/NHL tweener. If you wanted to rank someone like Goulbourne ahead of Cousins because he has a better chance to find an eventual role, I wouldn't argue against it.
My rankings are based on, if all things were equal and I could only keep a certain number of players in my system, who I would keep. Team needs or how close they are to the NHL is not factored.
1 - Travis Sanheim (Defense: 1st rd, 2014)
He's close to the total package. His combination of size, skating, smarts, vision, offensive instincts, and athleticism are just incredibly rare. Sanheim is still a rapidly evolving and improving player with immense upside. In my opinion, most people haven't quite grasped what an awesome prospect he is yet. Why he isn't considered a very top tier prospect in some "expert" rankings is beyond me. Barring injury, I see him as a can't miss top pair defenseman with superstar #1 upside.
A subtle Sanheim play I made a gif of and posted during the season:
[collapse=Sanheim1]
2 - Ivan Provorov (Defense: 1st rd, 2015)
I've gone back and watched a bunch of Provorov games since the draft. I don't really have anything groundbreaking to add to the million scouting reports that exist on him. They pretty much all say the same thing because he's very consistent and mistake free. Which is funny, because I saw 6 games of his late in the WHL playoffs and he looked awful. But from doing some reading, all indications point to him playing hurt. He is a super intelligent puck-mover, a stalwart in his own end, and doesn't mind being physical. I contend that his offense isn't on the same level as Sanheim or Gostisbehere, but that is not a slight, as I think very, very few defenseman prospects are on that level. I see him as a player who is easily projectable to the NHL with a high floor. Expecting a #2 defenseman seems completely reasonable, and certainly he has a chance to be a #1.
3 - Shayne Gostisbehere (Defense: 3rd rd, 2012)
I just think this guy is electric and has that special "it" factor. I recognize Morin has more upside but if I could only choose one or the other, all other things being equal, I'd probably choose Ghost. He's just too dynamic to pass on. In the end, I don't see his defense being an issue at all. At even strength, I'm comfortable projecting him as a solid 2nd pair defenseman that may end up better than that. On the powerplay, he should be a real catalyst and difference maker.
4 - Samuel Morin (Defense: 1st rd, 2013)
He is a real freak athlete and skater for a guy his size. Morin also has a natural edge that is very desirable and a good head on his shoulders. It's tough to project exactly how he'll end up, but his upside is great. As with all big guys, it just takes longer to develop as they become more comfortable and grow into themselves. The Flyers drafting Sanheim and Provorov might have been the best thing that could have happened for him. It will temper expectations and buy him the time he needs to properly develop away from the bright spot light. Rushing him is the worst thing we could have done last year with him almost making the team. It might have been a disaster. However, I think the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow could be a huge score if everyone practices patience and everything comes together. He's certainly tracking towards being at least a top 4 defenseman who is a big time PK'er.
5 - Travis Konecny (Forward: 1st rd, 2015)
This kid is really fun to watch. His motor is ridiculous and he has a super high skill level to go with it. I really like his shot, especially his release. Giving him any open ice is asking for trouble. He will definitely find a play to make. His size obviously isn't ideal, but shouldn't hold him back too much. Having concussions at a young age is the thing I'm concerned about. I may be overly sensitive to that issue since I had them at that age as well. Only time will tell. Expect a skilled top-6 RW that brings a lot to the table.
6 - Scott Laughton (Forward: 1st rd, 2012)
7 - Robert Hagg (Defense: 2nd rd, 2013)
8 - Nicolas Aube-Kubel (Forward: 2nd rd, 2014)
9 - Oscar Lindblom (Forward: 5th rd, 2014)
10 - Mark Friedman (Defense: 3rd rd, 2014)
One of only two guys on my list that I've never seen play. I hate going strictly off scouting reports and stats but all indications are fairly promising on this guy. Also, he's the ever-elusive right handed defenseman, which automatically gives him more value. The lack of quality right handed defensemen is a league wide issue, not just a Flyers issue, and you have to have some in your lineup. It would be a huge score to get a 3rd pair NHL defenseman out of him, but he's a long way from that at the moment. Unless you somehow have access to Bowling Green or old Waterloo games, any projection would just be guessing. But his stats look nice and reports on him being a high-end skater are encouraging.
11- Mikhail Vorobyov (Forward: 4th rd, 2015)
The other guy on my list I've never seen (no one on this board has). He sounds like a guy you can play in your bottom 6. He also has an outside chance to play on a 2nd line if he really hits his upside according to Todd Hearty. So he's not just the usual top 6 or bust type of prospect.
12 - David Kase (Forward: 5th rd, 2015)
I recently watched a few of his WJC games. He's quite noticeable even as an underage, which is a great sign. In his thread, I noted that he's a very tenacious checker and quite a pain to opposing players with the puck. I also noted that putting weight on him shouldn't be a problem. He may fit the dreaded top 6 or bust type of player, but I'm not entirely convinced of that. If his skating can improve, he has a shot to make it. There is a lot to like here. He's a smart, skilled player who is just young and physically immature.
13 - Radel Fazleev (Forward: 6th rd, 2014)
This is a player I have seen a ton and like quite a bit as a low end prospect. Fazleev has a skill-set that may translate into a well defined role as a 4th line center and PK'er.
14 - Taylor Leier (Forward: 4th rd, 2012)
Similar to Fazleev, I like him as a possible new-school 4th liner. He's a tad on the small side, but super heady. Leier can add offense but that isn't where he'll make his living if he can stick in the NHL. It's as a bottom 6 LW and PK'er, just as Team Canada used him a few years ago at the WJC.
15 - Nick Cousins (Forward: 3rd rd, 2011)
I felt compelled to rank him because he had such a great year in the AHL. It was very impressive. Especially considering what an offensive black hole that team was thanks mostly to Terry Murray's usual offensive suppression. Unfortunately, I just don't see a clear role for him ever in the NHL. He's not someone I want in my top 6 and his skill set doesn't translate all that well to a bottom 6 spot. I would be glad if he proves me wrong, but I pretty much see a career AHL/NHL tweener. If you wanted to rank someone like Goulbourne ahead of Cousins because he has a better chance to find an eventual role, I wouldn't argue against it.
