Most years, it seems like there are a couple of Russian prospects who are considered wildcards in the NHL Draft: players with the talent to be top-five to top-10 picks in the Draft but who inevitably have question marks attached that could cause them to drop on Draft day. Fairly or unfairly, the questions almost always center around the “KHL threat” and often get extended to the player’s work ethi

Originally posted here: Bill Meltzer

VIRTANEN, PERLINI AND DRAFTING WINGERS

When it comes to scouting and drafting players, there are rules of thumb but no absolutes. For instance, as a rule of thumb, the Flyers tend to give preference to natural centers over wingers at the top end of the draft. That is not set in stone, of course. If the organization feels that a natural winger’s upside makes him the best available player at the

More here: Bill Meltzer

IMPLICATIONS OF TIMONEN RE-SIGNING

Although things were far from set in stone at that point, Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen gave hints on locker cleanout day that he was leaning toward playing one more NHL season. One thing he made crystal clear on that day was that, if he did extend his career, it would be with the Flyers and would not be a money-based decision.

Yesterday, the hinted retu

Read more here: Bill Meltzer

NEW JERSEY PRODUCT DeANGELO A LIKELY FIRST-ROUND DRAFT SELECTION

If you polled NHL scouts about who is the most purely skilled offensive defenseman available in the 2014 NHL Draft after Aaron Ekblad, many would say it is Sarnia Sting blueliner Anthony DeAngelo.

A native of Sewell, New Jersey, the 18-year-old DeAngelo was the second-leading scorer on his team. The third-season OHL player rac

Excerpt from: Bill Meltzer

FLYERS SIGN FRENCH STANDOUT BELLEMARE

Hoping to duplicate the success they had last season in signing Austrian forward Michael Raffl after a strong season in Sweden and at the IIHF World Championships, the Philadelphia Flyers have dipped into the European free agent pool for a second straight off-season. Earlier today, the Flyers announced the signing of 29-year-old French forward Pierre-Edouar

Go here to read the rest: Bill Meltzer

HONKA OVERCOMING CONCERNS ABOUT SIZE

If Swift Current Broncos defenseman Julius Honka stood three inches taller, he would stand a good chance of challenging Red Deer Rebels blueliner Haydn Fleury to be the concensus top 2014 Draft-eligible defenseman after Aaron Ekblad. As it is, Honka is still considered a strong candidate to be a first-round pick despite his lack of size.

A Finnish import

See original here: Bill Meltzer

2014 NHL DRAFT: NUMEROUS USNTDP PLAYERS LIKELY TO GO IN TOP TWO ROUNDS

The IIHF Under-18 World Championships have been dominated by Team USA over the last decade. In the last 10 tournaments, the Americans have captured the gold medal seven times, including five of the last six years. This year, Team USA returned to the gold medal podium one year after getting knocked off by Canada in the champi

Go here to see the original: Bill Meltzer

It is impossible to predict whom the Flyers will select in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft, much less in the later rounds. However, it is useful to look at the team’s drafting tendencies over the last decade.

As with teams around the NHL, the Flyers have cast a wider drafting blanket over the hockey world than they did in years past.

There has been a leaguewide decrease since the ear

See more here: Bill Meltzer

Today in Flyers history: Forty-two years ago today, on June 8, 1972, Flyers general manager Keith Allen and his scouting staff had what proved to be one of the most crucial NHL Drafts in franchise history. Each of the team’s first four picks would go on to play important roles with the club.

In the first round. prophetically enough with the seventh overall , the Flyers selected left wing Bill B

Original post: Bill Meltzer

FLYERS SHOULD AVOID KESLER TEMPTATION

* Last night, TSN reported that Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Kesler still wants out of Vancouver despite the front-office and coaching changes. That would be contingent on a trade being worked out with a team for which Kesler is willing to play. Darren Dreger said that is believed Kesler still has six teams on his list and the Flyers and Anaheim are among

See the rest here: Bill Meltzer