Photo Credit: Boston University Athletics
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.
“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.”
“A Swiss Army Knife”, sort of like how Flahr described Kaplan. The Bridgewater, New Jersey native looked strong and competitive at Developmental Camp. He stands at 6’3, while weighing 205 pounds. Kaplan is a natural Right-Winger that plays with an edge to his game.
“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 19-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.
Devin Kaplan continued with his identity as a player, “A power forward…Somebody who establishes themselves on the ice every shift. You know he’s out there and he can also compliment other skilled players too. He can play any role, anywhere you want him to and help the team win. I think my passing and my hockey IQ are a little underrated. Also, my transition game I feel like is another thing I do really well.”
He plays in all situations the coaching staff asks of him, and Kaplan plays with an aggressive edge. Kaplan’s passing is just crisp tape to tape, and he has a knack for the net. This pick in Kaplan is a high valued one, and one that will pay huge dividends in the future.
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Hopefully, the Flyers will benefit from a gifted player in Kaplan, “Probably my athleticism and my hockey IQ. Those are my two biggest strengths, I think,” Kaplan said.
