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Young Forwards Are Key to Replacing Schenn Next Season |
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One of the reasons why the Flyers felt they were able to trade Brayden Schenn for two first-round picks plus veteran Jori Lehterä was the arrival of two young players the organization feels are ready to push for jobs in the NHL starting lineup or at least on the brink of doing so: second overall draft pick Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom. Additionally, second-season pro Travis Konecny will be expected to take on increased offensive responsibilities next season.
Therein lies the answer to the question that Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Sam Carchidi and others have posed about how the Flyers plan to replace Schenn's 25 overall goals and 17 power play tallies from last season: the hope is that the young players emerge to make up the gap.
As a projected left winger and the only non-first round pick of the trio, Lindblom is arguably the biggest X-factor here. He could be the eventual long-term direct replacement for the role that Schenn played (at least when Schenn wasn't shuttling positions and linemates). In terms of long-term NHL potential, the 20-year-old Swede has the ability to develop into a 20-goal scorer -- assuming he has a regular power play role and finds linemate chemistry -- who is also an effective five-on-five player and reliable on both sides of the puck. That's a lot to ask right off the bat, but the upside is there as he settles in and gains confidence.
As for Lehterä, he is not going to be expected to replace Schenn in terms of goal scoring. Think of him more along the lines of being part of the immediate replacement plan for the guys departing in the bottom six -- Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Nick Cousins, likely Chris VandeVelde, possibly Matt Read. Besides, the trade with St. Louis should not be looked at as Lehterä-for-Schenn. It was the long-term picture of obtaining two first-round picks that drove the trade.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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