Day two of the 2011 NHL Draft wrapped up the remaining six rounds, in which the Philadelphia Flyers had five selections.
3rd Round, #68 Overall
Nick Cousins, Center
Cousins is an offensively talented prospect, scoring 29 goals and 68 points in the OHL last season for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. His defensive play needs work (he’s a -21 over two seasons), but my bigger concern is where he fits in. From thescoutingreport.org, Cousins, “is a bit of an enigma who we have trouble determining a role at the next level for… isn’t afraid to mix things up, trying especially hard to get under opponents’ skin…trying to figure out whether or not some of his character issues will hinder his efforts to make that jump.”
Yeah, he definitely sounds like someone the Flyers would draft.
4th Round, #116 Overall
Colin Suellentrop, Defenseman
Suellentrop has the size and making for a stay-at-home defenseman, but is a work-in-progress, as many late round defensemen are. He currently plays with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL, where he will likely remain for at least another season, if not two.
4th Round, #118 Overall
Marcel Noebels, Left Wing
Noebels is a very interesting prospect to watch. Undrafted last season, the 6’-2” 19 year-old German tallied 28 goals and 54 points with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. If he continues to develop well in juniors, he could join the Phantoms in 2012.
6th Round, #176 Overall
Petr Placek, Right Wing
Drafted out of Hotchkiss High School in Connecticut, I really didn’t understand this pick until I researched further. The 6’-4” Czech may end up being a huge (no pun intended) steal, as he has a strong presence for the net and good hockey sense. He is headed to Harvard in the fall but will likely be tracked heavily by the organization, who love college kids like a fat kid loves cake.
7th Round, #206 Overall
Derek Mathers, Right Wing
Mathers is a 6’-3”, 230 lbs. heavyweight in the OHL. For the seventh round, you can’t really complain with this selection. He looks to have good character and can be an excellent role player in the future.
This was arguably the best draft that the Flyers have had in some time. They picked up a future star center, a potential third line center and hulking wingers that have legitimate NHL potential. The best prospect they found last season was Brendan Ranford, and that was lucky for the 209th pick.
They didn’t address the defense as much as I’d have liked, but Suellentrop isn’t a bad prospect. I’d have rather they drafted defenseman Keegan Lowe rather than pick up Cousins, as there really aren’t any defensemen in the Flyers’ system capable of jumping into a top four position when Kimmo Timonen or Chris Pronger retire.
They did not draft any goalies for obvious reasons.
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Guess, the Flyers got tired of being pushed around. Between the trades & the draft they got some beef in there.
good draft on size, looks like they might try to get back to their old ways. i think they found some good players after the first round, really interested in noebels. could be a solid 3rd line guy who puts up 15 goals a year. but really after the 1st round and part of the second it reallly becomes luck in having a player develop into a top notch player. you just hope you find a kid willing to work hard and give it his all.
Future looks good, even without Richards & Carter. The moves had to be made. They could be even deeper this year. Remember along with Schenn & Couturier- Matt Read & Ben Holmstrom will have a great shot in pre-season, to make the team. I think Read, Schenn & Couturier, will be great players.
Josh, DD, I was fine with the Carter trade but I LOVE Mike Richards. I’m still not ok with that one. However, going along the lines of the other comments, I was 110% jealous watching Boston take the Cup using old-school Flyer hockey. I want a team of badasses again. I want it now!