The Flyers re-signed two players yesterday, both of whom were restricted free agents in Linus Sandin and German Rubtsov (Both signed for $750,000). Not Earth shattering moves by any means, but what does this mean for German Rubtsov?
For Rubtsov, this may be his last stint in North America, or with the Flyers in general. With the Flyers nearing the 50 total contractual mark, it’s now or never, put up or shut up for Rubtsov. The Flyers at one time were very high on him and he played in four games for the Flyers in 2019-20 before being sent back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He finished his short stint with zero points and was a -1. Rubtsov mainly garnered fourth line minutes, however. Yes, injuries have derailed his career in the AHL and NHL for the most part (Shoulder), but he has to get his act in gear and fast.
Former General Manager took a gamble drafting Rubtsov 22nd overall at the 2016 NHL Draft. He was part of a doping scandal, but nonetheless he was a very talented hockey player, and he fell for that very reason. Rubtsov’s career for the most part since reaching the professional level has been filled with injury as noted above. A shoulder injury sidelined him in the 2018-19 season after just playing in 14 games, to which he tallied six goals and four assists for ten points. Fast forward to the 2019 Training Camp, Rubtsov was in the running to making the Flyers out of camp. He was one of the last cuts, and really opened some eyes to the fans. Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr was high on Rubtsov before camp began, as he told Bill Meltzer:
“Rubtsov’s a guy that you watch him in certain drills, defensively. Our coaches, they like a lot of things he can bring. Maybe won’t watch first glance, but he’s always above the puck. He’s always responsible. He’s always in position.”– Brent Flahr said to Bill Meltzer in 2019
“Ruby” had an up and down campaign in 2019-20. He was sidelined with a concussion with the Phantoms, and had to leave at one point back to Russia due to a family matter. Rubtsov really struggled to develop consistency, and missing time didn’t help those matters. He finished the year potting just two goals, and tallying 11 assists in 42 games played. Rubtsov also saw time with the Flyers while playing in four games with the big club on the Fourth line, and did not manage to register a point. However, Rubtsov brings versatility, he’s a forward that can play both Center and Wing.
Flahr told Meltzer in January 2020, “German had a good camp and pretty good start to the season. The (shoulder) injury disrupted his season. He got a little too conservative at times but he’s gotten his offensive confidence back. He’s been Phantoms most complete player last 4-5 games.”
Moreover, Rubtsov plays a very good defensive game, thus playing a solid two-way game, and it’s for these reasons that the Flyers top brass thinks highly of Rubtsov. All German has to do is stay healthy, much like another Flyers prospect Pascal Laberge. Rubtsov has all the talent, and believe it or not is dedicated to the sport of hockey. He was around the Flyers Skate Zone last year as he was trying to become a black ace for the Flyers. Unfortunately, he did not make the final cut, and to me this signaled that he was on the outs with the organization. If the Flyers felt that Rubtsov would make an impact with the big club in the future, then they would have brought him aboard to get the feeling of what it is like to be a part of being a pro in the NHL, get familiar with the team.
He has to get focused on making an impact for this young orange and black club, or the Phantoms for that matter. It starts with staying healthy, and he has a clean slate due to the new Head Coach of the Phantoms in Ian Laperrière. Rubtsov finished the 2020-21 season with HK Sochi in the KHL (On a loan from the Flyers), and he tallied three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 46 games played. Of course, he was hurt at one point, as he sat out a few games, but Rubtsov did play well towards the latter parts of the season.
Whatever the case may be for Rubtsov. This may very well be his last chance with the Flyers organization.
Thr Flyers inability to properly develop players is alarming. Hart, Provorov, Myers, Sanheim, Aube-Kubel, Frost, Laughton, Lindblom, Patrick, Hagg, Allison, Twarynski, Ratcliffe, Laczynski, Cates, Kane, Foerster, Sandstrom, Zamula, Lyon to name just a few.
All of them have giant holes in their game and aren’t exceptional at anything. Some of them flat out suck and don’t belong in the NHL.
ALL of them, at one point, were touted by the Flyers organization as the future.
Lies.