With the new year now having arrived, Flyers General Manger Chuck Fletcher must start to look ahead to a few areas- one being the upcoming trade deadline. Does he add someone for a playoff push, or does he try to regain some draft picks after dealing away a second round pick in last year’s draft and a third round pick in this year’s draft for then-Sharks defenseman Justin Braun? He also must look to unload some contracts to make room for the upcoming Flyers prospects that are going to need one themselves, as some turn pro next year. To do this, Fletcher must take a good hard look at some guys that have been around in the organization for awhile and judge just who hasn’t lived up to their expectations, but still have some value to get a return on their investment- or just plain create space within the system.
This should not be such a herculean task compared to some because Fletcher has no ties to most of these prospects, therefore, he has no pride to swallow here. He did not draft most of these guys, his predecessor Ron Hextall did. Keeping that in mind, let us ponder just who should go to make room for the up-and-coming.
Out with the old: The first name that comes to mind is Center German Rubtsov. Drafted back in the 2016 NHL entry draft in the first round with the 22nd overall pick, the Flyers hoped that this young Russian would be an integral part of the Flyers offense by now. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The now 21-year-old is currently playing for the Flyers AHL affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and so far this season has only managed to tally 1 goal and 8 points in 22 games played. That’s a rate of .36 points per game; Not want you want from a former first rounder. Then, when called upon this year due to injury, Rubtsov had 0 points in 3 games with the Flyers. Rubtsov is currently under contract until the end of the 2020-2021 season, with a cap hit of $894,166. Might Fletcher be able to persuade another team’s General Manager to take this underperforming former first rounder off their hands?
The second name that comes to mind in the Flyers system is the now 22-year-old Winger Wade Allison, whom the Flyers selected back in 2016 with their second-round pick. Now playing in his fourth year in the NCAA for Western Michigan University, one might think that Allison would be excelling now, since he’s a Veteran forward for the Broncos, but you would be sadly mistaken. Allison’s point production has plummeted every year since joining the Broncos- going from 1.36 points per game (PPG) in 2017-18, to .68 PPG last year, to .42 PPG this year. Allison has only played in 7 games this year totaling just 1 goal and 2 assists with his health playing a big part in this matter (and in previous years as well). With these things in mind, you can see why the Flyers have yet to sign Allison to a contract. It might just be time to just cut their losses, and part ways with this once talented prospect.
Pascal Laberge might be a name being thrown around in these discussions between Flyers top brass, as well. He is a young prospect who in the past has had his fair share of injuries too. Laberge has found himself spending some time down in the ECHL this year with the Flyers farm team the Reading Royals. In 14 games played there, Laberge accrued 3 goals and 3 assists. Since being called back up to the Phantoms, Laberge showed the powers that be, some shining moments when paired on a line with Isaac Ratcliffe. Those shining moments though might just be too few and far between. It’s puzzling how a guy such as Laberge has all the intangibles to be great, but either can’t put it all together, or just doesn’t the drive to want to work hard to do so. Whatever the case may be, this 2016 second round pick better get his act together quick before he finds his way onto the trade block. With a salary of $780,833 a year some team might just try and trade for this once famed prospect with the thought in mind they can cure what ails him.
This next prospect had a great camp, and even made the opening night lineup with the Flyers. Connor Bunnaman is a quite sizeable 21-year-old center and was given the chance of his life earlier this year, but has squandered his opportunity away. Not being able to produce a single point in 4 games played with the Flyers this year, Bunnaman was sent back down to the AHL where he has shown even less playing against lesser competition netting just one goal in 16 games played (that’s a 0.0625 point per game average) in the minors; to go along with that Bunnaman is managing to be on the ice for most of the other teams’ goals, averaging a -15 on the year for the Phantoms. It’s getting harder and harder to see that prospect people once knew (who is not too long removed from wearing that Kitchener Rangers sweater with the ‘C’ on it) that played so well in the OHL.
In with the new: Flyers prospect winger Noah Cates currently plays in the NCAA for the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where this American-born winger has scored 10 goals and 8 assist this season in just 18 games, averaging a point a game. Using his size and strength, Cates helped the 2018-2019 Bulldogs to a College National Championship. Cates has proved that he doesn’t shy away from big games, and may be ready next season to join the Phantoms.
Tanner Laczynski a Center the Flyers drafted in the sixth round- is someone you might remember now from numerous Flyers prospect camps. He has been spending his time since being drafted playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. This American-born Illinois native has been busy of late amassing 6 goals and 12 assists for 18 points on the year (for an 1.00 points-per-game pace) for the Buckeyes, all the while playing at a plus 12 rating. Laczynski has shown that, although his time in the NCAA might be done, his playing career may only just be getting started. He should surely earn a contract from Fletcher this off-season, and then join Noah Cates in Lehigh Valley next year.
Another name who should be joining them in Lehigh Valley (but probably won’t because he is scheduled to attend Boston University next year and play for the Terriers) is Flyers first round selection Center Jay O’Brien. O’Brien was mentioned in a previous article on this website, and is having a fantastic season in the BCHL for the Penticton Vees. He also seems to be moving forward this season from his past injuries.
Maybe some of Fletcher’s own picks may earn a contract from him this off-season. They may be long shots due to them being so young, but it would be a move that would bring in more of his own guys into the fold. Yegor Serdyuk is a young Russian Winger, who Fletcher found in the latter rounds of the draft. Serdyuk plays for the Victoriaville Tigres in the QMJHL this year, and has been lighting the lamp as of late, totaling 21 points in 24 games. Or could the young 2019 second round pick Bobby Brink make his pro debut? He’s playing for team USA now in the World Juniors, then head back to the University of Denver where he has managed to make a name for himself thus far, as well.
Now, you may think that some of the names that were stated in the “Out with the old” section of this article won’t go anywhere anytime soon, or that they just need another year and they’ll find their way. Just keep in mind there is a new Sheriff in town. Fletcher did not draft most of these guys, so he may want to make room to insert his own mix of players into the lineups. With no emotional attachment to these prospects and Fletcher’s aggressive way of handling problems, changes are coming! This is no longer the Hextall way of thinking. If any of the above-mentioned names could be moved to improve the team. NOW, you had better believe Fletcher is doing his due diligence to make that happen. To go along with that, this isn’t the old Flyers farm system, where there was only one name or two to get excited about. The Flyers have depth at all positions now! Most of these guys mentioned in the out with the old part were drafted in 2016 or earlier. If they have not developed yet, they may never develop. In order to make room for the ones that are nipping at their heels, and are deserving of a contract (and their own chance) they may need to go. This is a new NHL, the game is being played by guys who are younger and younger all the time. From just the Flyers there is Travis Konecny (22-years-old, and on his way to his first NHL All Star game), Carter Hart (21-years-old, and a number one goalie), Ivan Provorov (just 22, and is a number one defenseman playing 25 minutes a night). Additionally, Oskar Lindblom is 23, Phillipe Myers is 22, Travis Sanheim is 22, and Robert Hagg is 24. With all this potential, look for Fletcher to make his New Year’s resolutions known sooner rather than later.
Photo Credit: Jose Moreno Photographer of the Philadelphia Inquirer
My Flyers confuse me there a games they look like a power team I thought they should be then they play like they don’t have a clue. I would look to build on defence and find a solid Center move Giroux to the wing on the power play were he does his best we are really close lets add the couple pieces we need I believe we can win the CUP BACK
Giroux on the wing on the PP makes too much sense. I don’t understand why they shift him around.