Breaking down Flyers’ Prospects Massimo Rizzo and Devin Kaplan after Denver advances to the National Championship game

Photo Credit: University Denver

Massimo Rizzo was taken 216th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. He attended the University of Denver for hockey purposes, and the Forward started to come along nicely. Many thought that Rizzo would be the steal of the draft. At 22-years of age, Rizzo may/may not be that far off from the NHL. However, there is so much to like about this prospect. He’s got a fantastic skill set, and a good pair of hands. If the Flyers sign him he would report to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but he’s got other ideas on his mind right now as the University of Denver beat Boston University last night to secure a matchup in a National Championship game for Division 1 in the NCAA.

When he was at the Carolina Hurricanes prospect camp, his skill was on display in a big way. With great hands, Rizzo also understands how to play the game defensively, however, there is a lot to like about Rizzo’s trajection. The Flyers have retained his rights until August 15, 2025. For his efforts, he lead the nation in points at one point in the NCAA for the University of Denver with 17 points (5g,12a) in just eight games played. This was good enough for an average of 2.12 points per game. So just who is the overeager at the NCAA level in Rizzo, who is 22-years of age?

The one area I like about Rizzo’s game the most is he able to get pucks to the middle, and that is something that you need to do in order to make it in the NHL. He is creative with the puck on his stick, and that makes him very difficult to defend against. Rizzo is able to deke around defenders, even though his skating can improve. Most prospects can get better at skating, however, it’s not a weakness to his game. Rizzo just isn’t the best skater, and that’s an area he can improve upon.

This is a player with NHL skill and Rizzo is a bit raw in areas. However, one can sense his talent when they watch him play. Rizzo is experienced with playing in the NCAA, so at least he’s playing in a league where there are some men on the team

He is 5’11 and weighs 175 pounds. Rizzo is a native of Burnaby, British Columbia. Rizzo beats defenders off the rush. He is a skilled stickhandler who is tough to move off the puck, especially when he accelerates. Will he sign an Entry-Level-Contract with the orange and black this season remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain. Rizzo is very talented.

Rizzo projects, at least for now, to be a solid bottom six player in the NHL, after netting 10 goals and registering 34 assists in 29 games played. Things change rapidly in this sport, so anything can happen. It’s hard to judge how prospects will pan out, however, Rizzo does have the talent to succeed in the NHL, that much is certain.

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Devin Kaplan

The Flyers finally have drafted a player that can score and play with a physical edge to his game in Devin Kaplan at pick 69 and he’s a local product from Bridgewater, NJ, “He’s a power forward,” Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr said. “He’s strong on pucks down low. He’s heavy. He plays physical. He’s a tough kid. At the same time, he started making plays and showing a lot more confidence with the puck.” 

Kaplan was selected by the orange and black, as they needed a power forward with size and grit. They needed a goal scorer/sniper, and this was one way to do it. Kaplan had a good freshman season for Boston University, while notching 10 goals and chipping in 13 assists in 40 games played. The Terriers also went to the Frozen Four for his efforts.

“I think I’m a power forward, who makes space for his teammates, but can also make plays for himself too,” Kaplan said. “I think I can bring a little bit of everything to the table. I wanted to stay on the East Coast. Growing up my brother was a Flyers fan. I was a Rangers fan. We kind of always butted heads. That’s over now. I’m all Philly.”

Kaplan continued about his brother being a Flyers fan, “He will become a Flyers fan when I sign a contract with the Flyers,” Kaplan said laughing.

This young 20-year-old Winger in Kaplan is a decent skater, but like most prospects he can improve upon this area. He can transition with the best of them to distribute the puck, but hopefully he develops a burst off his first few steps. Kaplan plays a solid two-way game, and is one of the best prospects that this draft offered in terms of transition. He generates a lot of his offense off transition, as he is able to navigate in smaller areas around the edges and gets to the dirty areas to score. Kaplan also has a lethal wrist shot, as well. His heavy shot is one of the best that this stock of players has. Kaplan is a very good penalty killer, and that should not be overstated. He really plays well defensively and it leads to a successful offense.

For Kaplan’s efforts, he registered an assist in the overtime loss yesterday in the semifinals to the University of Denver. Kaplan needs to get bigger and stronger, but he is determined to be an NHL mainstay when his number gets called.