The Flyers finally have drafted and signed 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.”
Today, Kaplan inked a two-year ELC (Entry-Level-Contract) that will expire after the 2026-27 season. 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.
“For me, I think it was a bit of an adjustment period,” Kaplan said at Developmental Camp. “Then I kind of learned how to be a Swiss Army Knife and adjusting to different roles, so I think I played up and down the lineup this year. It was good for me to be able to play up and down the lineup, to become a versatile player. And then also just adjusting to the older and stronger guys, learning how to use my body in different ways and more effective ways, so it was good.”
Kaplan credited former Flyer Joel Farabee with showing him the ropes, but obviously it was enough to earn an ELC, even after only posting 10 goals and eight assists in 38 games played. The Flyers have always been high on him, but after this season I questioned whether they would actually sign him to an ELC. Kaplan will burn a year off his ELC, and join the Flyers immediately.
The Flyers signed Devin Kaplan to 3-year ELC starting today. His Cap Hit is 922K, AAV 950K
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