This month and into June, we'll break down NHL draft options for the Flyers, who have seven selections this year and would currently pick 26th in the first round.

Today, we’ll look at an impressive center who could fall into the Flyers’ range because of injury concerns.

Hendrix Lapierre 

Position: Center
Height: 6-0
Weight: 181 
Shoots: Left
Team: Chicoutimi Saguenéens

Scouting report 

Lapierre was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in the QMJHL for the 2018-19 season, posting 13 goals and 32 assists for Chicoutimi.

He had a difficult year in 2019-20, both on and off the ice, and was limited to 19 games (two goals, 15 assists). The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler chronicled Lapierre’s injuries, which included worrisome cervical issues initially thought to be concussions. The good news is that, before the QMJHL season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, Lapierre was making progress in rehab and the tentative plan was for him to play in the Saguenéens’ final two or three regular-season games. 

The 18-year-old is a highly skilled two-way player who controls the puck very well and has plenty of poise and patience. Lapierre, who manned the right half wall on the Saguenéens’ power play, is an excellent passer, the kind that can lead his teammates into open space and create scoring chances from nothing. As a 16-year-old playing in the QMJHL, Lapierre quickly learned the importance of playing hard on both ends.

Lapierre isn’t renowned for his scoring, although he told TSN’s Mark Masters that his shot has “gotten a lot better” while he’s been sidelined. The Gatineau, Quebec, native is also not especially physical or explosive. 

The bottom line, though, is that Lapierre is widely considered one of the most talented players in the draft. He told Masters he sees himself as being similar to Evgeny Kuznetsov and is looking to model his game after Aleksander Barkov, too.

“Lapierre is the wild card of this draft. … I think he’s a top-five player if he can return to full health,” TSN’s Craig Button said in March. “He’s the best two-way player in the draft.”

Fit with Flyers 

In an April 25 phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall, Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said, "Obviously you’d want the big, scoring, playmaking center, anybody does. We’re in a position where we’ll likely be taking the best player available.”

If Lapierre drops to the back of the first round and the Flyers have a chance to take him, there’s a real chance he’d be the best player available. The team would, of course, need to feel comfortable with his injury situation — his most recent medical reports have been submitted to NHL Central Scouting, according to Wheeler — but he could be a good value pick, perhaps even a steal. 

andre_emond_chicoutimi_sagueneens_hendrix_lapierre.jpg

(By Noah Levick May 09, 2020 9:00 AM

By Jordan Hall May 08, 2020 2:15 PM

The entire picture for the 2020 NHL draft remains cloudy with the ongoing suspension of the 2019-20 regular season because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Where will the Flyers be picking? When and how will the draft be held? Those questions are currently unanswered.

The Flyers hold seven total selections and, as of right now, are slotted with the 26th overall pick.

“I think it’s a decent draft — I don’t know if it’s top end," Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said April 25 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. "The top 10, 12 guys look like pretty high end. There’s a bit of a drop-off, but there’s some depth to the draft for a couple of rounds. We don’t know totally where we’re picking, but we have an idea. We have some guys targeted we feel we would be very happy with in the top couple of rounds and then we still have some work to do to clean up the mid-to-later-round picks.

"Obviously you’d want the big, scoring, playmaking center, anybody does. We’re in a position where we’ll likely be taking the best player available. 

"Realistically the players you draft now are two or three years down the road, best-case scenario. Some cases you get surprised. But by then, your team needs are different. We’ll do the best we can, we have an idea of where our holes are going forward and places where we certainly want to add depth to, whether it’s center or scoring winger or defense, we’ll see what happens. We’ll prepare, we weigh guys against each other, the pros and cons and we’ll do the best we can there.”

This month and into June, we'll continue to break down options for the Flyers at No. 26.

Ridly Greig

Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 163
Shoots: Left
Team: Brandon Wheat Kings

Scouting report

The Flyers should have a pretty good scoop on Greig. After all, his father is Flyers amateur scout Mark Greig, who has long watched the WHL.

In 2019-20, his son scored a team-best 1.07 points per game for the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings. The 17-year-old center put up 26 goals and 34 assists in 56 games.

"His dad doesn’t even like us talking about him or reporting on him and all that," Flahr said with a laugh. "Terrific kid.

"He’s a hockey player, he plays center, he can play anywhere, he’s a real smart player, two-way, really detailed and he has an edge to his game."

Greig likes to get after it and when he really asserts himself, he's all over the ice, making a 200-foot impact. He brings a blend of straight-line energy and offensive instincts.

He was handed two suspensions during the season — one for a check to the head and the other for goaltender interference — but by no means is he a dirty player.

"He’s not a big body, he’s got to put on weight and get stronger — he’s athletic, but he’s going to take some time," Flahr said. "He’s got an edge to him, he’s been suspended a couple of times. We joke that he’s got his mother’s temperament rather than his dad’s. But no, he had a very strong year, he played as a 17-year-old No. 1 center going against the top guys in the league, but his second half, he really had a strong season. 

"He can kill penalties, win faceoffs, he hits, he goes to the net, he produced offensively. He looks like a really well-rounded player, I think he’s a real solid prospect."

Greig finished the season on an eight-game point streak (six goals, five assists) and among North American skaters he went from an NHL Central Scouting midterm mark of 25th to a final ranking of 14th.

Fit with Flyers

The Flyers will look to take the best player available during the first round but centers could be the overall focus or preference for the club. It's a premium position and last summer the Flyers drafted three defensemen, three wingers and a goalie.

The club also has a strong history of scouting and drafting WHL products. Over the past six drafts, the Flyers have taken eight WHL players, four of which were selected in the opening two rounds.

Greig is expected to be available in the Flyers' range of 26th overall. With the way he plays and his room for growth, he would be a real solid addition down the middle to the organization's prospect pool.

robert_murray_whl_ridly_greig.jpg

(Robert Murray/WHL)

Today, we look at a two-way defensive star that's emerging from the WHL. 

Braden Schneider

Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 209
Shoots: Right
Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Scouting report 

The 18-year-old two-way defenseman has been on every scout’s radar since his rookie year with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Not only is he sound when it comes to producing on both ends of the ice, but there is clear progress from season to season as he continues to improve at an impressive rate. 

Through the 2019-20 season and 60 games, Schneider had an offensive spark, nearly doubling his point total from the year prior (24). He led all defensemen on the team with 42 points — seven goals, 35 assists. This also landed him second in assists on the entire team. 

Schneider possesses a high level of maturity when it comes to skill set and mentality that would prove to be a strong addition for any organization. Though his offensive abilities have a lower ceiling in comparison to his limits on the blue line, that shouldn’t faze general managers much — given the amount of potential. 

There is a strong instinct to his game that often sets him apart from others on the ice. Whether it’s on the power play, penalty kill or just working on his zone, he’s able to anticipate play projection that gives him a clear advantage. 

What’s special is just how solid of a foundation he currently has. From the physical edge to quick feet as a strong skater, being fearless with the puck — when it comes to passing and shooting — and still works on improving such elements, he’s a special kind of motivated. 

Fit for Flyers

It’s safe to say the Flyers have had quite a bit of success when drafting from the Wheat Kings, especially when it comes to defensemen. Ivan Provorov, the blue-line staple of the organization, was drafted seventh overall back in 2015 and has proven to be everything and more since. 

Schneider is another strong defender that is capable of taking heavy minutes during a game. Adding that strong shot on the right side would make the Flyers a difficult matchup for any team. 

By Brooke Destra 

8 dollar dog ...

Opinion: Carey Price is the most overrated goalie in the NHL. Agree/disagree? Thoughts? 

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William Wallinder

Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 191
Shoots: Left
Team: MODO

Scouting report

Wallinder is what Flahr called "a real wild card" in this draft because his stock consists of projection.

The 17-year-old Swede is a smooth-skating blueliner with a fluid and long stride. He is dexterous with the puck on his stick and loves transitioning it up ice thanks to his skill set.

With Wallinder's build and style, there's some Egor Zamula to him. Zamula, one of the Flyers' top defensemen in their system, is also 6-foot-4, a lefty shot and slick skater that covers ground.

In 37 games for MODO's junior club during 2019-20, Wallinder scored 24 points (five goals, 19 assists).

European amateur scout Joakim Grundberg is a MODO product, having scouted for it as well, before joining the Flyers' staff. He also shares the same hometown of Wallinder.

"So we know him very well, on and off the ice," Flahr said.

Production-wise, Wallinder opened eyes with four points through four games in the Junior Club World Championship, but was quiet at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and Five Nations tournament. He's noticeable, though, even when he's not scoring. From a projection standpoint, he'll need time to develop into a dependable pro.

He’s a really intriguing guy," Flahr said. "You see him at the Hlinka tournament in the summer and you see this big, tall, lanky kid that can skate, but very, very raw.

He came into the November tournament and really took a jump and forced everybody to notice him, he was up ice and looking a little more confident. The February tournament, it wasn’t as productive but just to see the physical tools this kid has, he’s got the size, the range, the mobility — he’s got a good skill set, he’s just going to need a little time to find his identity. But he’s one of those kids who gets up ice, it’s just so easy for him to recover. He’s going to have to figure things out.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go real high or because of his rawness, he might slide a little bit, especially without an April tournament. Certainly a guy that is on everybody’s radar and a player with tremendous upside if he figures it out.

Fit with Flyers

The Flyers are well-stocked at defensemen but won't shy away from drafting the best player available to load up even more on the back end.

Wallinder could go anywhere from the mid-to-late first round or maybe even slip into the early second.

The Flyers like big, mobile, puck-moving defensemen that accentuate head coach Alain Vigneault's system.

Wallinder might be there for them and you can never have enough depth.

"Checks every category necessary to be a No. 1 defenseman in the NHL," TSN's Craig Button wrote last month. "Contributes significantly in all areas of the game."

2020 NHL draft profile: William Wallinder looks a lot like Flyers prospect Egor Zamula

By Jordan Hall May 06, 2020 3:40 PM

Division I coaches in Minnesota never like when local recruits sneak out of the state.

Fortunately for Scott Sandelin, he knew Noah Cates going back to the prospect's early teenage days. The Stillwater, Minnesota, native played summer hockey with Sandelin's son Ryan.

They were just kids.

"I remember Noah when he was not 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2," Sandelin, the Minnesota Duluth head coach, said, "I remember when he was about 5-foot-8, 5-foot-9.

"I'm just glad he picked Duluth."

Cates stayed and is still in Minnesota ... but not for much longer.

Sandelin is now OK with that looming reality. Of all people, he understands best why Cates' days in the home state are numbered.

Cates is no longer a skinny high schooler. He no longer portrays a fifth-round pick. And the Flyers are no longer well off in the distance.

It wouldn't be outlandish to proclaim Cates as the club's top college prospect in the system. After playing a notable role in his freshman season for a Bulldogs team that won the 2019 national championship, the 21-year-old winger made an even bigger stride as a sophomore. Cates scored just a shade under a point per game with 14 goals and 19 assists in 34 contests, tying him as the second-leading scorer for fifth-ranked Minnesota Duluth.

When Cates left Stillwater Area High School in 2017, he was 165 pounds and relied a lot on his skill. Sandelin does not see that anymore.

Cates is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound, all-situation winger — a prospect the Flyers couldn't stop talking about last summer.

"He’s a fun player to watch, he does so many little things within his game," Sandelin said April 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. "He’s got tremendous compete level, he’s hard on pucks, great body position, he’s strong on his feet. He’s got everything. He’s not going to wow you with Connor McDavid speed, but he does a lot of things that sometimes maybe the normal hockey person doesn’t always see all the time, but as a coach and as a teammate, you really appreciate. I think that’s what makes him, in my opinion, special.”

Thoughts  ???

Justin Barron

Position: Defenseman
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 195
Shoots: Right
Team: Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Scouting report 

There’s not a ton of negative aspects to Barron’s game, which is enticing for any team that is looking to add a sturdy defender in the first round. At the jump of the 2019-20 season, reports had the 18-year-old out of Halifax with the potential of being selected in the top 15, but as the year progressed, with a few unfortunate speed bumps along the way, chances are he’s moved down the rankings a bit. 

The defenseman was out for just over 12 weeks after developing a blood clot during the season. When the news  was first released, Halifax’s general manager Cam Russell  praised his work ethic both off and on the ice in a team interview. 

“When you lose a player of Justin’s caliber it’s a big blow to your hockey team,” Russell noted back in December 2019. “Not only on-ice, but he’s a real leader in our dressing room.” 

Even facing that battle, he ended his season with the Mooseheads leading the defense in points (19) with four goals and 15 assists. 

Barron holds all the potential to be a strong two-way defender that controls his zone, distributes the puck well at the blue line, isn’t afraid to shoot and has already proven his skillset in skating. 

While his offensive contribution has dwindled from previous seasons, if he is able to combine his strength in skating with what he’s shown in the past in the offensive zone — chances are, he could become a very solid addition. 

Fit with Flyers 

The Flyers love their two-way defensemen and if Barron pieces those elements of his game together, he’d fit in quite well with the organization. 

Not to mention, if he happens to fall this far back in the draft and is available at No. 26, it’d be difficult to find a reason to not want to bring him to the organization. 

You can never go wrong with building up that blue line, but many of the recent top defenders the Flyers have drafted all have a left shot (Travis Sanheim, Ivan Provorov, Cam York) — Barron would shake that up. 

http://95261807_1527721067399142_2892934196416741376_n 

Seth Jarvis

Position: Winger
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 175
Shoots: Right
Team: Portland Winterhawks

Scouting report

Jarvis delivered a dynamite draft year with a 59-point increase from his 2018-19 production. Through 58 games this season, Jarvis ranked second in the WHL with 98 points and a plus-53 rating, while finishing third with 42 goals.

The smaller, wiry winger is at his best in space and playing with pace. Jarvis is supremely skilled and sees the ice at an advanced level.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native is listed as a center by some draft services but projects more as a winger. EliteProspects.com has Jarvis rated as the 11th-best prospect in the 2020 draft class and NHL Central Scouting has him pegged as the 11th-best North American skater. He could be in the Flyers' range, though.

“We probably see him as a winger, we’ve mostly seen him as a winger," Flahr said. "He’s a talented kid, another player that is undersized maybe a little physically, but good speed, good quickness, very, very good hands and vision. He can score, he can make plays and he has put up big numbers, and a lot of the year he was playing with an underage centerman who is eligible for the draft next year.

"He’s an interesting kid. That team in Portland, year after year, seems to put up big numbers and score and that certainly benefits him. Real interesting kid and a real good kid, too.”

2020 Draft Eligible Prospect Thread: Seth Jarvis, Portland Winterhawks

GP: 58
Goals: 42
Assists: 56
Points Per Game: 1.69

Fit with Flyers

The Flyers have some nice wingers in the system but they're not exceptionally deep at the position. Pure high-scoring wingers don't last particularly long in the draft.

If the Flyers get a chance at Jarvis with the 25th overall pick, they'll certainly consider taking him as a best player available.

Jarvis doesn't turn 19 years old until next February and is a kid that will score 100 points (and maybe 50 goals) in the WHL next season.

Eventually playing against men and the physicality of the pro game will present a challenge for Jarvis but there's too much to like to nitpick his 18-year-old frame.

As time progresses, more questions continue to be raised about the 2020 NHL draft — from the lottery order, to where the Flyers will pick and just when the draft will be — there’s a lot of unknown territory. 

Until such things begin to be hashed out, we’ll continue to take a look at possible options the Flyers could draft at 25th overall — the current spot they are slotted to make their first selection. 

Valisy Ponomaryov

Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 180
Shoots: Left
Team: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) 

Scouting report 

Ponomaryov is a do-it-all center who isn’t afraid to get flashy and show off his talent. There is a high level of maturity to his game at 18 years old and is more than willing to give up a shot, using his strong passing abilities to do what it takes to get his team on the board. 

The center isn’t afraid to take risks, proving to be a difficult opponent to play against. He is a strong stickhandler, is quick and smart on his skates, which makes up for his lack of physicality. That being said, he’s never be afraid to stand up for himself and teammates. 

As far as seasons leading up to a draft, Ponomaryov has an ideal performance from start to finish — even with curveballs thrown his way. When Cataractes teammate Mavrik Bourque went down due to an injury, it allowed Ponomaryov to prove his abilities. Even with an increased role, his game remained consistent through the course of those 14 games. 

Through 57 games in 2019-20 in the QMJHL, Ponomaryov finished third in points (49) with his team — tallying 18 goals and 31 assists. 

Fit for Flyers

The addition of a fearless player could prove highly beneficial for the Flyers. While always looking to improve on special teams, the kind of flashiness he possesses could elevate the power play, never knowing what tricks he could pull out. 

Ponomaryov has the potential to be a strong asset in the pipeline and elevate the level of competition among other prospects. 

Brendan Brisson

Position: Center
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 179
Shoots: Left
Team: Chicago Steel

Scouting report

Brisson, the son of big-time NHL agent Pat Brisson, is an exciting playmaking center who scores just as well as he creates.

The Michigan-bound product finished second in the USHL with 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) over 45 games. Playing high school hockey in 2018-19 with Shattuck St. Mary's, Brisson amassed 101 points (42 goals, 59 assists) through 55 games.

Brisson popped at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in six games and saw a climb from 31st in NHL Central Scouting's midterm marks to 20th for its final rankings.

The Manhattan Beach, California, native is scary good on the power play because of his shot and smarts. Of course, he'll have to get stronger but he also understands the two-way game.

"He played high school at Shattuck in Minnesota where I was, so I’ve seen him a lot," Flahr said. "He’s had a real strong draft year, he’s a late birthday and he’s still got to get stronger, but he had a breakout year in the USHL and had a strong tournament in the world junior challenge, which really jumped him up and brought a lot of attention to himself.

"The team in Chicago that he played for, they’ll have a lot of players drafted this year, which is good to watch, he had good players to play with, but at the same time, he was driving it and making a lot of plays.

"A little undersized, but at the same time, he’s got the quickness, the skill and vision to make himself a quality prospect. He’s going the college route, which is probably the right decision for him because he’ll need a little time to put on some weight and get stronger."

No hockey means more farming for Flyers' Travis Sanheim

Travis Sanheim will never forget his roots.

Playing in the NHL hasn't taken the kid or farmer out of the Elkhorn, Manitoba, native.

The Flyers' 24-year-old defenseman loves hockey and farming. Sanheim's father Kent Sanheim instilled agriculture in his son, who is currently living in Brandon, Manitoba, about a one-hour drive from his hometown of Elkhorn.

With the 2019-20 NHL season at a halt because of the coronavirus outbreak, Sanheim is eager to take advantage of the time.

"We have a family farm," Sanheim said Thursday on NBC Sports Philadelphia's Flyers Talk podcast. "That's just something that I've grown up with, my dad has done it his whole life, so he taught us at a young age to work and work on the farm.

"We've been running tractors and combines and helping out as much as we can. I remember when we were younger and harvest, having to miss school days and stay home and get the crops off. When I switched to junior [hockey] and had to leave in August, I wasn't able to do the harvest anymore. But since playing in the NHL, I don't really have to go back until September, so I try to get as much as I can in while I'm still here.

"Actually right now, we're going to start seeding hopefully next week, so I can definitely help out right now."

Ty Smilanic

Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 185
Shoots: Left
Team: U.S. national team development program (2019-20)/Quinnipiac (2020-21)

2nd rounder .??

Color for Hockey Fans...

Color for Hockey Fans...

https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/flyers-announce-eric-lindros-as-team-ambassador--philadelphia-flyers/c-316712508

"He lays it on the line every night."- Carter Hart on
Robert Hagg's impact in the lineup.

nice pick ...