With no Flyers’ hockey currently on to watch most fans have been beginning to tune into or at least checking in on some of the Flyers prospects who are playing all around the world. Whether it be in the collegiate ranks, Junior prospects playing in Canada, or those who are playing in all different countries all over the world Flyers fans have been finding ways to get their fix. Now some but not all of the Philadelphia’s draftees having been playing up to par during games this season. So, in this piece and ones like it to come in the future we will take a look in on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Flyers’ prospects that are currently playing around the world.
The Good:
To start it off let us take a trip to the Great White North where the Flyers’ 2020 5th round pick Elliot (the Destroyer) Desnoyers is playing for the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior League (QMJHL). This 5’11 172-pound wing prospect that the Flyers selected 135 overall in this year’s draft has been more than just good since being traded to Halifax by his former team the Moncton Wildcats. Most would say that his play is off the charts; in fact, in just sixteen games played so far this season Elliot has already surpassed his goal totals from last season and is just 10 points away from his career high in points as well! So, to say that this trade has worked out in the favor of both Desnoyers and the Mooseheads would be a gross understatement! Since joining Halifax, Elliot has gone from a half a point a game player who had talent but never really stood out, to now operating on a 1.56 point per game average which has him currently sitting in 3rd in both total points and in goals scored in the entire QMJHL ranks. “The Destroyer” as he is referred to by most these days is playing lights out on a nightly basis now that he gets to play alongside the impressive rookie Robert “Bobby” Orr and is backed by the now 1st round draft pick defenseman Justin Barron. Further proof of this is just how dominate Elliot can be in a certain game. The league as a whole now knows to be on HIGH ALERT when Desnoyers is on the ice but no amount of opponents assigned to shut him down have seemed to slow this young mans pursuit to net a goal down. In fact Elliot may need to soon head to the patent office because like the famous Red Wing Gordie Howe who has his own hat trick named after him (when a player scores a goal, adds an assist, and gets in a fight). Desnoyers has been known to have multiple games where he has totaled 4 goals in a single game! Whether such a feat should now be called a “Desnoyers” or a “Destroyer” (enter your favorite acronym here) is yet to be determined. But what is for certain is the future looks awfully bright for this young Flyers’ prospect. So, if you ever get a chance to tune into a Mooseheads game do so, because you will be surly in for a treat! As you will be left in a state of utter amazement when you feast your eyes on this soon to be Flyer as he simply has his way with the likes of the rest of the QMJHL.
The Bad
Now let’s take a trip to Sweden where with the signing of the Swedish born Linus Sandin back in April the Flyers’ thought they may have just the person who could instantaneously come in and fill the vacancy that was to be left behind by the departure of the versatile Tyler Pitlick (when he left for a bigger pay day elsewhere in the coming off season). To which Pitlick did do just that when he choose to head to Arizona this off season to play for the Coyotes. Sadly, that is just the business of the game, but Sandin who seemingly ruled the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) last season with an impressive 19 goals on the season and 36 points in 51 games played. Looked to be set to take his spot and be an immediate impact. With the signing of this 24-year-old Swedish winger came size and strength (something that the Flyers’ currently lack. At 6’1 and 209 pounds Linus is able to play a similar style of some pretty famous Flyers alumni. When you watch game tape on Sandin you will see a bit of John LeClair, some Scott Hartnell, and maybe even some Wayne Simmonds. Now although Sandin isn’t likely to throw down like Simmonds and Hartnell would at times when their team needed them to, Linus does have the ability and willingness to play where these previous Flyers’ greats tended to set up shop. That would be right in the paint (in front of the goalie crease). Sandin is willing to take the abuse that comes with the real estate and while there he redirects pucks well coming from the point, and is more than willing to bury a cheap goal (a rebound) when the opportunity presents itself. But sadly, Sandin’s point production seems to be in a downwards spiral since his return to his native Sweden to play in the SHL once again for his old club HV71. In 19 games played this season Linus has only been able to score just 4 goals and 10 points. Totals that have seen his point per game average (PPG) go from a .70 last season while playing in the SHL to a now .53 PPG. On top of that he is also a minus player this season averaging a -4 on the year so far. A far cry from his +7 that he was able to post last season. Now this may not be a drastic decrease but it is concerning considering the Flyers and their fans alike were/are counting on Sandin to continue to develop and possible make Philadelphia’s opening night roster as a depth forward playing on the 3rd or 4th line. With any luck Sandin will be able to regain his confidence from last season and return to the player that he was when the Flyers were lucky enough to get to sign him.
The Ugly
Now staying in Sweden let us take a look at another HV71 player. The Philadelphia Flyers 2020 2nd round draft pick defenseman Emil Andrae. This 18-year-old who stands at just 5’9 and 181 pounds. Was quite the impressive prospect when the Flyers drafted him while playing in Sweden’s top junior hockey league the Super Elite League (SEL) last season. Emil (a defenseman) mind you was able to post 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points last season. A near point per game average, not too shabby right? Scouting reports had Emil labeled as an offensive defenseman who possesses good vision, is tough to play against, and is able to move the puck well under pressure. Well that was in juniors and now that he has been moved up to Sweden’s top professional league the (SHL) things haven’t been going quite the same for Andrae this season. In 20 games played so far Emil has only been able to put up 3 assists and is a -4 on the season. This is by no way is the kind of continued improvement the Flyers were hoping to see from their “coveted 2nd round pick”. Andrae was playing like a man amongst boys in the SEL but looks like a boy amongst men so far in the SHL. Yes the game in the SHL is faster, and the players are bigger and stronger than that of the players in the Super Elite League but Andrae is going to have to get over that and adapt his game to fit the more rapidly paced style of the SHL or mlhe may be forced to find himself being demoted to where he came from sooner rather than later.
So, there you have it the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Flyers’ prospects who are currently playing around the world. This is just the first of many articles in this series. I will continue to bring you future articles showcasing the Flyers’ prospects that are currently blowing up and or fizzling out. Nevertheless, I will do my diligence to keep you informed on all things Flyers.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Team Store
You can follow me on Twitter @lngbassist39
