1) While it is more likely that the Flyers select a forward than a defenseman (for the fourth straight year) with their first pick of the draft, it is not impossible that a defenseman could win up being their top selection. That is because the organization perennially takes a "best available player" approach and does not draft based on position.
For that to happen this year, however, it would take one of top 3 or 4 available defensive prospects to fall to 18th overall slot with a run of forwards high on the Philadelphia ranking list to be taken earlier. If the internal projections are close, they'll pick a forward. If an available D-man clearly stands as the one they think has the highest upside (which is how and why the Flyers selected Ivan Provorov last year with the seventh overall pick, because the forwards they liked roughly on par in that range were already off the board).
It is unlikely that any of Jakub Chychrun, Olli Juolevi or Mikhail Sergachev will fall to the Flyers' draft range. Perhaps the most intriguing defenseman for whom this scenario could possibly play out (although odds are that it won't) is Calgary Hitmen defenseman Jake Bean. Like his teammate, Flyers prospect Travis Sanheim, Bean is a slick-skating defenseman with high-end offensive ability. He may be even more of a natural offensive talent, although Sanheim has a significant size advantage.
Both defensemen have been knocked for their defensive play, but the criticism is somewhat unfair. Especially this past season, Calgary's forward corps was unimpressive. That is why Flyers prospect Radel Fazleev (who projects as a 9th to 12th forward if he develops, as the Flyers think he will, into an NHL player) played at the top of the Calgary forward lineup this season whereas he had previously been more of a versatile third-liner.
Having seen streams of quite a few Hitmen games this season, on many nights, the team either created offensive from the back end or it really, really struggled to do much of anything. In other words, Sanheim or Bean almost HAD to lead (not just join) the rush and take risks, and their respect decision making of when to gamble and when to hold back was (as with most every teenage player) sometimes suspect. It's not a style that works in the current-day NHL, which is very structure-oriented.
However, both players are teachable and both have potential to be good players without the puck as well as with it. Sanheim has shown that ability at times. There's just a learning curve to navigate to be pros. If Shayne Gostisbehere can do it -- remember that he was used almost strictly as a power play specialist when he won a WJC gold medal with Team USA and has, year by year, steadily developed more of his all-around game -- there's no reason why the others can't, too.
2) Flyers Hall of Fame defenseman Joe Watson spoke to CSN Philadelphia about his recollections of the late Gordie Howe. Video below:
3) Today in Flyers history: On June 12, 2002, the Flyers traded goaltender Brian Boucher to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for center Michal Handzus and goaltender Robert Esche.he deal worked out well for Philadelphia, as Handzus went on to score 20-plus goals in each of the next two seasons while also playing strong two-way hockey. The fiery Esche ended up becoming the Flyers starting goaltender during the team's run to Game 7 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals.
4) Forty-three years ago today, on June 12, 1973, the Flyers signed young forward Orest Kindrachuk to a three-year contract. Originally an undrafted free agent signed on July 1, 1971 to play for the AHL's Richmond Robins, Kindrachuk went on to earn a regular job on Fred Shero's club in the Stanley Cup winning season of 1973-74.
Despite playing on the third line and working in the shadows of Bobby Clarke and Rick MacLeish, Kindrachuk proved to be a valuable two-way player who added both grit and underrated offensive ability. His best season came in 1975-76, when he tallied 26 goals and 75 points in 76 games.
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Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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