With the NHL Entry Draft drawing ever closer, it’s time to get into the NITTY GRITTY rounds of the draft. It is here where the elite General Mangers shine, separating themselves from the rest of the pack by focusing on the third round where you can still find prospects with possibly some NHL level qualities, that may just need some polishing on other aspects of their
game. Now, some may be thinking “This guy is crazy! The Flyers don’t even have a third-round pick!” This is correct; They traded their 2020 3rd round pick to the San Jose Sharks in a package deal for veteran Defenseman Justin Braun, but the Flyers do have other remaining picks in this years draft, along with most of their draft picks for next year as well, not to mention a bevy of their own prospects they could move in a deal. Moreover, if Chuck Fletcher (Flyers General Manager) has showed us anything since his insertion into the role of the team’s head shot-caller, it would have to be that he is willing to move draft picks to get the players that his team needs.
So, come draft day DON’T be surprised if Chuck gets on the phone and makes a deal to jump into the 3rd round. If he does, it’s probably because he saw a particular prospect still on the board that he and his staff are very keen on that has either fallen or may not be on other people’s radar. Who might Fletcher be willing to make such a draft day deal for you ask? How about Portland Winterhawks Winger Cross Hanas, a highly gifted offensive talent who is 18-year-old and stands at 6’1″ and weighs 165 pounds. Hanas has puck-handling skills that are off the charts! Ones that make this Highland Village, Texas native a real-life Dwayne Robertson (a character in Disney’s 90’s classic The Mighty Ducks Trilogy).
Cross uses these insane puck-cradling maneuvers to make his way through the opposing teams defenses, netting goals that would commonly end up being seen on constant replay during the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Highlight of the Night. Hanas abnormally long stick helps him pull off these Highlight Reel plays on a nightly basis. Cross has the ability to use these
moves, (during a game with defenders all over him) ones most NHL players only are successful with during an NHL All Star Skills Competition. Hanas pairs these skills with a nice strong release to his shot and a creative hockey mindset, which leaves opposing goaltenders shaking in their pads when he comes at them during a fast break, never knowing just which move he will try to pull from his impressive bag of tricks. That is not all this “man of a thousand moves” can do. He is also equipped with a keen on-ice vision. Setting up fellow teammate/draft prospect Seth Jarvis and others on a nightly basis, Hanas had decent numbers this season totaling 22 goals and
27 assists for 49 points in 60 games played. He is no slouch on defense either, averaging a notable plus 20 on the season.
Now why would a player with these immense talents fall to the 3rd round? Although, Hanas has the talent to one day play a top six role for an NHL club, he must work on his consistency. When Cross goes a few games without a goal he tries to force it: Seemingly putting on blinders trying to do it all himself. This is a trait that more than a few other offensively talented prospects has had to learn not to do in the past. If Cross Hanas continues to refine his craft, gain patience, and add weight to his ever growing frame, he could turn out to be quite a steal in the 3rd round. Seeing that the Flyers are a team currently stocked full of play-makers, a prospect with a quick trigger who is always ready to SHOOT THE PUCK (as we fans like to scream while the Flyers are on the PP)! With all this being said, Hanas would be a breath of fresh air if Chuck decided to bring him to Philly.
