Photo Credit: chl.ca
The Flyers and General Manager Chuck Fletcher are rumored to at least be checking in on undrafted free agent and Hobey Baker Award Finalist Jordan Kawaguchi (the 22-year-old center from the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks). He has netted 15 goals (G) and 30 assists (A) for a total of 45 points (P) in just 33 games played (GP). That’s good enough for a 1.36 point per game average (PPG) all while being a plus 21. Sounds like not too bad a signing, right? WELL let’s add in that he is only 5’9.” Does your opinion change? Mine did, so here are some potential players, Chuck, that have the size and strength to go along with that scoring ability; and that weren’t drafted in their draft year but have since came into their own.
First up, is a Russian winger Pavel Gogolev from the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Pavel is now 20-years-old and can no longer go back to the Juniors. He has played in North America for several years now and is already fluent in English. Gogolev is 6’1″ and weighs 179 pounds. This speedy winger likes to play in and around the crease; holding on to the puck until the goalie reacts first which plays right into Pavel’s trap- at which time Gogolev rips a wrist shot that is already behind the netminder before his pads hit the ice. Also, in Pavel’s arsenal is a wicked back hand, which he at times uses to score one-handed. This year for the Storm he totaled 45G, 51A for 96P in 63 GP. That’s a 1.47PPG average. In those 63 GP, Gogolev also managed an average of a plus 24 on the season. Spending last season in the Las Vegas Golden Knights Rookie Camp as a non-roster invite, Pavel used what he learned there to go back to Juniors to beat all his numbers from previous years. So much so that he most certainly will get a look from multiple teams.
Next up, Alex-Olivier Voyer a 21-year-old Winger that stands at 6’2″ and 192 pounds. Voyer has already committed to the University of Moncton in Canada. His numbers this year for the Sherbrooke Phoenix of the Quebec Major Junior League (QMJHL) were impressive, to say the least. In 63 GP Alex averaged 1.39 PPG totaling 44G 44A for a total of 88P, all while playing to an unheard of plus 55 on the season.
Yegor Sokolov is another name that comes to mind. This 19-year-old Russian can play both wings. Yegor should be able to see the whole ice seeing that he towers over most at 6’4″ and 240 pounds. His play this past season for the Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL could only help elevate Sokolov’s chances at a shot at the NHL, after registering a Point Per Game (PPG) total of 1.76 PPG in 52 GP. Eclipsing a career best in all statistics while tallying 46G 46A for 92P and managing a plus 38 average. Sokolov should get another shot at the NHL after not being able to make the team for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season (he was cut during their training camp as an invitee).
If the Flyers wanted to add a defenseman to their depleted American Hockey Leagues affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, then Brady Lyle might be a nice fit. This Right-handed defenseman is 6’1″ and has filled out to be 203 pounds. Lyle is now 20-years-old and has finished his final season in juniors playing for the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. This season saw him put up 22 goals 43 assist and 65 points; that’s 1.04PPG. He’s a defenseman that can not only put points on the board but play a solid defensive game as well, while averaging a plus 25 on the season. The Arizona Coyotes already had Brady in their camp before this season where Lyle played in three preseason games and amassed one assist during that time.
Any or all of these players would be a fantastic addition to the Flyers farm system, and would instantaneously provide the team with certain goal scoring ability, size, strength, and experience. If Chuck wishes to add one of these prospects before training camp he would be wise to do so soon, beings that teams are in this mind set already: The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer from the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL recently. Initially, he was with the Arizona Coyotes, but they were unable to sign him after drafting him back in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. This now 21-year-old had an amazing season with 26G 56A 82P while playing at a plus 56 rate on the year- stats that launched him to the top of the defensive leaderboards in the CHL. These prospects will not last long in this salary cap era with teams having to get creative in order to compete.
