NHL.com has released a mock draft for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft run by three of its writers- Adam Kimelman, Mike G. Morreale and Steve Hoffner. Each writer has predicted the Flyers will, assuming they actually hold onto their pick, select a defenseman in the first round. I am by no means a scout, but the following are my takes on each player based on internet research (yes, very scientific, I know).
Kimelman’s prediction: Dalton Thrower of the Saskatoon Blades
“Point-producer with Blades doesn’t shy away from rough play.”
Thrower is a 5’-11”, 190 lbs. defenseman with 15 goals and 43 points through 52 games this season with the Blades. He doesn’t have the size or reach that many Flyers fans would hope for, but he plays with a nasty streak and has shown good mobility and offensive capabilities. It’s difficult to read between the lines of whether his “hockey sense” is really worth the selection, though.
Morreale’s prediction: Brady Skjei of the USA U-18 National Development Team
“His size (6-2.75, 200), puck skills and skating ability could make him the steal of the first round.”
Skjei has 1 goal and 7 points this season through 15 games. While he may not appear to have strong offensive capabilities, he does have the size and skating to be good defensive defenseman. The International Scouting Services (ISS) ranked him #20 overall among all players in January.
Hoffner’s prediction: Jordan Schmaltz of the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
“Big, strong defenseman; Flyers need to start thinking about life without Chris Pronger.”
Hoffner “gets it,” but it’s premature to say any of these defensemen is going to replace Pronger. Schmaltz doesn’t rank that high with the ISS but he has the size (6’-2”) and seemingly strong all-around play with the puck to be worth a look. He has 6 goals and 19 points through 24 games this season with the Gamblers.
There are about ten defensemen ranked by ISS through the top 20 ranked prospects (including Skjei), meaning that this draft could be key for the Flyers organization in restocking their farm system. While I’ve all but given up hope that a player like Jacob Trouba will be available for the Flyers, predictions never work out entirely how people plan them. A top 15-ranked player like Slater Koekkoek could easily slide to the early 20’s.
Cam Fowler, defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks, was slated to go #3 overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft but was still on the board by the time the Ducks went with the #12 pick. You never know who is going to be available when it’s your turn.
Heck, the Flyers never thought Sean Couturier would be available at #8. We all know how that turned out, no?
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this draft is loaded with talented defenseman….Flyers should use their first 3 picks on them to stock up