He's really hot. I'm glad they balanced out Strome's face with Patrick's and Isaac's
- Mononoke

Are we sure it balances it though?

What is the course?
- Just5

I think we'll see if Hextall cares about next year once a goalie is signed.

pleased with the draft

pleased with the draft
- ob18

Same. All I really wanted to see was forwarded depth added and a couple of the picks used to move up when it made sense to. They accomplished both. I think they made out very well with their first three picks especially.

Strome is really the only pick I'm iffy on. But in the 4th a high risk/ high reward type isn't the worst thing in the world.

]

That talent was coming in even if Schenn wasn't traded. It's a loss of offense no matter how you spin it.
- MJL

No poop. The point was we aren't taking a step back. We are a better team with Schenn next year than without. But we will likely be a better team than last year without Schenn still.

Are we sure it balances it though?
- YuenglingJagr

I saw the several interviews he did and Matt Strome seemed really happy to be a Flyer and like a nice and genuine kid in an awkward way. Leave em alone. He's a Flyer now.

I saw the several interviews he did and Matt Strome seemed really happy to be a Flyer and like a nice and genuine kid in an awkward way. Leave em alone. He's a Flyer now.
- Mononoke

Tell me about Sushko and Cates

pleased with the draft
- ob18

If we drafted only terrible picks you'd still say this, ob. Can't fool us.

Same. All I really wanted to see was forwarded depth added and a couple of the picks used to move up when it made sense to. They accomplished both. I think they made out very well with their first three picks especially.

Strome is really the only pick I'm iffy on. But in the 4th a high risk/ high reward type isn't the worst thing in the world.
- hereticpride

I like the Strome pick...........his game is very solid & with improved skating could be a really good pick.

He knows it's a weak point, now let's see what kind of work he puts in with it to make it a non-issue.

Being a 4th round pick it's a nice risk/reward area

Tell me about Sushko and Cates
- PhillySportsGuy

I only know what I read in Black Book given he played Minny HS hockey, but his profile instantly struck me and I jotted his name down on my list weeks ago. Seems to have terrific skill/skating upside, while still being a Flyers type pick. Helped balance out what was more meat and potatoes earlier picks.

Cates, Noah
LW Stillwater Ponies (HS-MN) 6'00.5 165
RANKING: 68

Noah Cates spent his fall playing in the Minnesota Elite League for Team Northwest, winter for Stillwater High School (MN-HS) before finishing up the season with 11 games with Omaha (USHL). He was equally impressive playing in all leagues. Cates showed great progression in MN high School where he drove much of the offense for his Stillwater Squad. He acclimated himself well in his final 11 games with Omaha, where he registered 2 goals and 5 assists and provided a bit of a boost to a depleted and struggling Omaha team.

Cates is a speedy winger with great explosiveness, who can cut through defenders and will take pucks to the net. If a defender gets a little bit flat footed or out of position, Cates will take advantage. He has fantastic puck skills and hands, most famously displayed last season in scoring the game winning goal in overtime over Hill Murray to send his team to the Minnesota State Tournament. Cates shows good vision on the rush with the puck but could stand to develop a little poise and patience in the offensive zone. While his shot is not at an elite level right now in terms of velocity, it comes off his tape quickly and is accurate. As impressive as his hands and skating ability are, it might be his compete level and work ethic that set him apart from some of the other High School prospects in this draft. Cates was never the biggest player growing up but he learned to compete all over the ice and wins a lot of puck battles with 2nd and 3rd effort because of it. Cates has since grown close to 5 inches in the last two years and once he fills out his frame and learns to use his body and positioning, his combination of size and craftiness will make him even more of a handful for defenders. Cates is a smart player who understands the strengths in his game as well as areas where he needs to improve. He can be a little too offensively minded at times and has lapses where he doesn't skate back into the play as hard as he could in hopes for an outlet finding him in the neutral zone.

As skilled as Cates is, he is still raw and projects as a longer-term prospect for any team that drafts him. Cates will be back with Omaha (USHL) full time next season and then off to Minnesota Duluth (NCAA) in 18/19.

Quotable: "Exciting player to watch when he's entering the offensive zone with the puck, I get the sense that he has a plan and knows what he's doing" - HP Scout, Dusten Braaksma

Quotable: "He impressed me enough in my first viewing that I wanted to see more. I saw signs of a smart player in my first viewing but wasn't sure. After a few more games, I was comfortable with his decision making. There are shifts where he shows how raw he is and others where I see big upside without a ton of risk." - HP Scout, Mark Edwards

Quotable: "Who?" - NHL Scout (January 2017 when Mark Edwards asked if he had seen him)

Quotable: "Who?" - NHL Scout (January 2017 different NHL Scout, same reply)

Quotable: "Very competitive...skill is good. I think he plays the game the right way., a solid mid-rounder." - NHL Scout (May 2017)

Tell me about Sushko and Cates
- PhillySportsGuy

I watched Owen Sound a handful of times, but it was mostly just for Suzuki/Gadjovich. Didn't really pay attention to Sushko tbh; he was buried on a very deep team, and it was his first year of NA hockey. I can watch every CHL game on tape, so I can go back in the coming weeks and watch some games to gauge him. Interesting write up though in Black Book, and the Flyers have done well of late targeting guys buried on OHL teams (Bunnaman, Salinitri):

Sushko, Maksim RW – Owen Sound Attack (OHL) 5'11.75" 181
RANKING: 171

Maksim was selected in the first round of the 2016 CHL Import Draft by the Owen Sound Attack. He was taken out of the Shakhter Soligorsk of the Belarus 2nd mens league producing well over a point per game. He joined the Attack and primarily played between the second and third lines producing very well at the OHL level.

Maksim is a highly competitive forward with a good shot for the Owen Sound Attack. He has average size but he has good strength and gets a lot of power out of his physical game. He will also take the hit in order to make the play for his team. Offensively Maksim showed good tools-he has a powerful shot. He has a bit of a shoot first mentality, but also displayed a willingness to set up his linemates and has the passing ability and the vision to create chances. He protects the puck well and shows the patience to make the play. He works hard in all three zones but was particularly strong on the fore-check putting pressure on opponents and finishing his checks.

Maksim has interesting upside moving forward. He didn't get as much of an opportunity to show what he could do with several forwards ahead of him. He should get more offensive opportunities next season and could have a big year having already adjusted to the smaller ice. Maksim has a legitimate shot at being selected at the 2017 NHL Draft and has an intriguing mix of compete and skill that should make him an interesting prospect moving forward.

Quotable: if the draft was the day after my first viewing of him I may have taken him in the 2nd round. I liked him less after that first game.” - NHL Scout (April 2017)

Quotable: “I liked him a lot earlier this year but I’m starting to think he’s too much of a perimeter guy.” - NHL Scout (April 2017)

Tell me about Sushko and Cates
- PhillySportsGuy

I'll save you the trouble and in brief about the other 3 guys:

1) Ustimenko -- a sleeper that most services didn't pick up on, as more of a late season bloomer. I know I saw him at the bronze medal game u18s, but I wasn't paying much attention to him as a prospect, and I really don't know much about goalie prospects. Flyers had him very high, and they've been good with the goalies though. His size and stats are impressive, and the fact that he can stay in Russia indefinitely helps ease the goalie log jam.

2) Olle Lycksell -- no one knows anything about him. It's like Hogberg last year on steroids (who now is likely to make the Swedish U20 WJC team, so that worked). He spent most of the year doing great in the J18 league (some J20 time too), and scouts don't go there. They generally stay in J20s, where most prospects get scouted from. No international competition either, on no scouting service. It's kinda crazy in today's age of prospects. Lycksell is one of the youngest players in the draft too and physically needs work. John Klingberg is one of the few I can think of that was drafted like this: J18, late summer birthday, project pick, no international experience. I will say that the Flyers Swedish scout, Grundberg, is amazing, and this is as deep a sleeper as it gets. He must have seen him somewhere and been so impressed that he went to bat for him big time as some future breakout player. It's a scout's scout pick, that's for damned sure. And I kinda love those the most.

3) Wyatt Kalynuk -- 20 year old LHD out of USHL. Going to Wisconsin. Just outside top 5 d-men in scoring, number 2 in shots, very good skater. Likely it's a jump start on getting his rights before they think he becomes an in-demand college FA. Could actually be a smart draft choice. Has 3-4 years too to marinate before turning pro.

Surprised there is zer discussion on day 2 of the draft especially with the big trade uo for Ratcliffe. Is there another thread somewhere?

Was at a beerfest all day, what happened?

Tell me about Sushko and Cates
- PhillySportsGuy

I already talked about Frost a lot last night (I loved it), and Ratcliffe/Strome on last page, but if you want me to give any more info on them or ask a question, speak or forever hold yo piece.

Not my idea, but Lehtera for Lehtonen should work for both teams.

Flyers get a 50 game starter on a one year deal. Hitch gets one of his old centers back for two years after they lost Eakin to Vegas.

]

That talent was coming in even if Schenn wasn't traded. It's a loss of offense no matter how you spin it.
- MJL

I then Hextall is showing MJL the true meaning of addition through subtraction.

Vdv, peb, cousins, Schenn, are gone. Hopefully read sits in the pressbox. This team is going to be faster and more skilled on all the lines. I think 5 v 5 play increases dramatically.

I still think there is a deal to be made with Dallas. Personally I hope it includes Nichushkin with a goalie for a conditional pick based on if Nichushkin returns.

Man, the majority of posters in here are female dogs! No wonder the rest of us Flyer fans get a bad rap...

Not sure what if anyone else experienced this, but during the draft, zero redirect ads. Now that it's over, back in full force

I'll save you the trouble and in brief about the other 3 guys:

1) Ustimenko -- a sleeper that most services didn't pick up on, as more of a late season bloomer. I know I saw him at the bronze medal game u18s, but I wasn't paying much attention to him as a prospect, and I really don't know much about goalie prospects. Flyers had him very high, and they've been good with the goalies though. His size and stats are impressive, and the fact that he can stay in Russia indefinitely helps ease the goalie log jam.

2) Olle Lycksell -- no one knows anything about him. It's like Hogberg last year on steroids (who now is likely to make the Swedish U20 WJC team, so that worked). He spent most of the year doing great in the J18 league (some J20 time too), and scouts don't go there. They generally stay in J20s, where most prospects get scouted from. No international competition either, on no scouting service. It's kinda crazy in today's age of prospects. Lycksell is one of the youngest players in the draft too and physically needs work. John Klingberg is one of the few I can think of that was drafted like this: J18, late summer birthday, project pick, no international experience. I will say that the Flyers Swedish scout, Grundberg, is amazing, and this is as deep a sleeper as it gets. He must have seen him somewhere and been so impressed that he went to bat for him big time as some future breakout player. It's a scout's scout pick, that's for damned sure. And I kinda love those the most.

3) Wyatt Kalynuk -- 20 year old LHD out of USHL. Going to Wisconsin. Just outside top 5 d-men in scoring, number 2 in shots, very good skater. Likely it's a jump start on getting his rights before they think he becomes an in-demand college FA. Could actually be a smart draft choice. Has 3-4 years too to marinate before turning pro.
- Mononoke

Hey can you check your black book for someone named Tommy or Thomas Mason Jr out of canteberry high school CT but lives in De? Not sure how extensive the book is and would like to see what the wrote about my cousin. You can send in PM if you like.

Hey can you check your black book for someone named Tommy or Thomas Mason Jr out of canteberry high school CT but lives in De? Not sure how extensive the book is and would like to see what the wrote about my cousin. You can send in PM if you like.
- youarewrong

Mason Jr., Thomas LW – Canteberry HS (CT) 6'1" 181
RANKING: NR

Mason is a reliable hockey player in the sense that he is reliably mediocre. You always know he will give minimal effort, produce nothing, and sometimes fall asleep on the bench, or even during play. Regularly falls down on his skates for seemingly no reason, hates contact, and cannot even complete basic plays. How a player goes a season recording 0 points, despite top line minutes, is a question our staff had trouble answering.

But what we will most remember about Mason -- for the rest of our lives really -- is that in one of our viewings, we witnessed an opponent getting into a scrum with Mason, only for him to skate to the bench crying. And not only crying, but screaming noises that defy explanation until the stands went quiet. He went to the locker room and did not re-enter the game. In all our years scouting, we have never witnessed anything like that.

The only upside to Mason's game is that we won't have to watch him ever again.

Quotable: "What the f--- did I just watch?” - NHL Scout (January 2017)

Quotable: “Watching him is part sad, part funny, and part making me reconsider careers......” - NHL Scout (February 2017)

Quotable: "He reminds me of a player named Chris VandeVelde. I like this Mason kid a lot. Plays with structure." - NHL Head Coach (March 2017)

[quote=Mononoke]


hidden gem

https://www.broadstreetho...ac-ratcliffe-jori-lehtera

Richards trade keeps giving

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2017/6/24/15868508/nhl-draft-2017-philadelphia-flyers-mike-richards-trade-brayden-schenn-isaac-ratcliffe-jori-lehtera

Richards trade keeps giving
- KINGKENZO

Somebody had a lot of free time today.

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2017/6/24/15868508/nhl-draft-2017-philadelphia-flyers-mike-richards-trade-brayden-schenn-isaac-ratcliffe-jori-lehtera

Richards trade keeps giving
- KINGKENZO

Mike Richards greatest Flyer since Lindros
If we win the cup with these players it will bring closure for me