|
Quick Hits: Draft, History, Alumni |
|
|
|
|
|
1) Ron Hextall and Chris Pryor spoke to the Philadelphia media on Thursday about the Flyers' preparations and strategies for the upcoming NHL Draft. The Flyers GM did not say much beyond what he told Steve Coates in a video posted on the Flyers' official site before the press conference but did say the team's goal in this year's draft is to upgrade both skill and size in the prospect pipeline -- preferably with players who have both attributes but at least possessing skill.
As always, the team will go for whomever it considers the best available prospect when their turn comes up 18th overall (or elsewhere if they end up making a deal to move to a different spot in the draft order). That means if a top defenseman unexpectedly falls to the Flyers spot and a comparably rated forward is not available, the Flyers will take the defenseman.
However, in a draft crop with more highly regarded forwards than defensemen, the odds are higher that the Flyers take a forward.
“The top end is obviously very good, and usually when the top end is as good as it is, it has a trickle-down effect,” Pryor said. “If I had to give it a grade, I’d say A-, B+. I think it’s extremely a forward-deep draft, especially the top group. It’s exciting because when the top end is as good as it is, it does push everybody down a little bit. So we’re hoping that we see some of that.”
2) Today in Flyers History: June 18, 2006: The Flyers return to the Nashville Predators the 2006 first round pick acquired in the Peter Forsberg trade. In exchange, the Flyers receive the rights to impending free agents Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. The same day, the Flyers announce the signings of Timonen and Hartnell to six-year contracts.
************
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»