With the 2012 NHL Entry Draft rapidly approaching and the combine now in our rearview mirrors, its time to make a list of the top prospects.
Last year, the Flyers nabbed forward Sean Couturier with the eighth-overall selection in the draft. This year, the Flyers again have first-round pick, No. 20.
In the first part of a four-part series, this weeks entry will focus on the drafts top defensemanbecause thats the strength of this years class. Keep an eye out for the names listed below; any one of them could be on the Flyers' radar.
Mathew Dumba6-0183
This talented defenseman from Calgary will help sure up any blue line. He's been putting up huge offensive numbers in the WHL, where he was the rookie of the year in 2010-11. He was voted best defenseman in the U-18's this past winter. He explodes up the ice. He can beat a player to a loose puck or he can knock one off the puck, and is a deadly open-ice hitter. He has a fast release with a pro slapper that makes him a great power-play threat. He can snipe down low by jumping into a play and is a hard-worker in scrums, as well.
Cody Ceci6-3206
This young buck may have the most upside of any defenseman in the draft. The Ottawa 67s star skates very well for his size. He passes the puck well and has a terrific hockey sense. Ceci can score goals, tooand his playoff numbers were solid this year. He was able to cover superstars like Nail Yakupov, and yet I feel he can still become a better skater as well as a more aggressive and physical player. He doesn't shy away from contact, but I think he could work to initiate it a bit more. The upside: He doesn't spend much time in the sin bin. Ceci might take a bit longer to make it to the NHL than some others, but he'll be worth the wait.
Ryan Murray6-0205
This star has been gracing the ice for the Everett Silvertips and surely hell soon be in the NHL. Hes a fast skater with great recovery speed. He handles the puck extremely well. Murrays point shot and strong play in his own zone are both impressive. Hes a power-play specialist with precision passing. In addition, he can see the ice exceptionally well and is able to pick apart the opposing defense. He might be the only defenseman in the draft who is NHL ready.
Griffin Reinhart6-4202
His dad Paul played more than 600 games in the NHL, so hes already had strong mentoring. Reinhard has the size and a potentially offensive gamehe already has a great shot. He makes good decisions, and should get faster and even a bit stronger as he matures, which makes him a player to watch. He works hard along the walls and can lay some devastating open-ice hits. This West Vancouver native has excellent mobility. He's not a sexy pick, but he knows what it takes to be a professional.
Morgan Rielly6-0190
Rielly is a strong skating defenseman who leads the rush extremely well. He has terrific two-step quickness and defends well, using his stick more than his body. The ACL tear he suffered may have dropped him a few spots, although so far he seems fully recovered. A team who picks this Moose Jaw star will receive a power-play quarterback, not a shut-down D-man. He will use his body, but he needs to get stronger. Simply put, he needs to build up NHL strength.
Olli Maatta6-1202
The London Knights phenom skates very well. He can bring the puck end to end like a pro, and pierces the offensive zone very well. He always has his head up and his excellent first passes are a part of his refined hockey pedigree. Maatta can win battles and make key defensive stops. Sometimes, though, he blends in too much in crunch time.
Jacob Trouba6-2193
This American blueliner is a potential top-pairing guy. He's excellent on the power play. He has a shot, long reach and hes a solid passer. He could be in the NHL sooner than some of the others listed.
Ville Pokka5-11198
Finn Pokka plays a solid brand of defense. He spends time on the power play, but needs to work on holding the puck better if he wants to be the top guy on his future teams.
Hampus Lindholm6-2196
This slick Swede is a fast skater, and keeps players honest with good stick work and strong use of his body. He has good on-ice awareness.
Derrick Pouliot5-11186
A rearguard for the Portland Winterhawks, Pouliotplays on the penalty kill and mans the corners very well while doing so. Hes a fast skater, adept passer and very smooth player overall. He can get back on defense and strip the puck from fast skaters.
NHL
Russ Cohen is the founder and owner of Sportsology.net, co-author of 100 Ranger Greats and the host of Hockey Prospect Radio on SIRIUSXM. E-mail Russ at rcohen@sportsology.net.