Bill Meltzer: Draft Day Two Wrapup: Flyers Make Nine More Picks

Bill Meltzer: Draft Day Two Wrapup: Flyers Make Nine More Picks
- bmeltzer

Overall I like it, very happy they landed Pascal Laberge.

Draft alex limoge next year to be allison's future center

Bill Meltzer: Draft Day Two Wrapup: Flyers Make Nine More Picks
- bmeltzer

Do you think the Wheat Kings will try to convince Wade Allison to bypass the college route?

Laberge is absolutely chippy. I remember during the U18s, especially during the game they got blown out by USA, he kept bowling people over late. Not dirty hits, just pissed off. Considering I was rooting for USA, I thought he was kind of being a female dog. Not any more.

Overall grade for he flyers draft ?

Listening to Hexy's interview, I thought it was interesting that at the very very end, he mentioned that they were happy with the draft -- had some breaks and in the middle rounds they missed out on a couple guys by a pick or two.

Got me looking. I could see in Round 5 Jordan Sambrook over Linus Hogberg (he may have slipped to 6 to get both, who knows -- pretty under the radar). Missed by 2 picks. And it would make sense that they traded their 4th because they wanted Ross Colton or Tanner Kaspick, taken 2 and 1 pick ahead perspectively. Ross Colton would've been pretty intriguing. Have a hunch they wanted Kaspick from the Wheaties. God, that would've been gritty, bottom 6, low ceiling overload. We had just drafted Twarynski and Bunnaman with the last 2 picks. Kind of glad they missed out and traded it.

Do you think the Wheat Kings will try to convince Wade Allison to bypass the college route?
- ob18

Yes. He will have a choice.

Listening to Hexy's interview, I thought it was interesting that at the very very end, he mentioned that they were happy with the draft -- had some breaks and in the middle rounds they missed out on a couple guys by a pick or two.

Got me looking. I could see in Round 5 Jordan Sambrook over Linus Hogberg (he may have slipped to 6 to get both, who knows -- pretty under the radar). Missed by 2 picks. And it would make sense that they traded their 4th because they wanted Ross Colton or Tanner Kaspick, taken 2 and 1 pick ahead perspectively. Ross Colton would've been pretty intriguing. Have a hunch they wanted Kaspick from the Wheaties. God, that would've been gritty, bottom 6, low ceiling overload. We had just drafted Twarynski and Bunnaman with the last 2 picks. Kind of glad they missed out and traded it.
- Mononoke

Know idea if he did then they should have tried to move up if he missed on a few guys

Yes. He will have a choice.
- bmeltzer

What does your gut say? Western Michigan was a downright poor team last year based on their record: 5-18-1. Seems he committed verbally back in 2014. 2 bad seasons in a row...and it's not like he has some close ties to the school. His stock has soared since he committed.

He's pretty well built so it's not like he needs the gym time. Cultivating his skills may be more important. Playing on the wing of Nolan Patrick would be an interesting endeavor, and the Wheaties should still be a very solid team. He's also old for his year, so had he been in the WHL to start, he'd still be eligible for the AHL year after next. This doesn't change that. It might make sense....

Now that the dust has cleared on the draft. What's next? Sign our RFAs and then see how much we have left over for UFAs (if any)?

While I admit I was hoping for some more skilled forwards it's hard to deny that Hextall got value by adding sandpaper types who play gritty. Character guys everyone, especially Laberge whose had a year from hell. Rubtsov looks better and better the more I watch his highlights and I would love to see him get out of that KHL contract so he could play in the CHL this season.

Know idea if he did then they should have tried to move up if he missed on a few guys
- rinaldo

May have been cost prohibitive, or the other team may not have been willing to deal.

May have been cost prohibitive, or the other team may not have been willing to deal.
- Jsaquella

Possibly though how cost prohibitive could it really be?

Possibly though how cost prohibitive could it really be?
- rinaldo

How much difference is there in late round picks? Is it worth trading two 4th rounders to move up and get a guy you have only marginally rated higher

How much difference is there in late round picks? Is it worth trading two 4th rounders to move up and get a guy you have only marginally rated higher
- Jsaquella

If u like him maybe though IMO one 4th should do it ...quality over quantity

If u like him maybe though IMO one 4th should do it ...quality over quantity
- rinaldo

I get you, but the quality isn't markedly higher. I'd rather have the extra pick. I'm sure if they really liked a guy they'd trade up

Only time will tell. Biggest thing to take away from this, is it appears they got a quality player in Rubstov.

Also like the Carter Hart pick. Can't imagine both Mason and Nuveirth bsck after next season and who knows what the potential goalie prospects have? With Fleury /Bishop rumors and now the Eliot trade, everyone is looking to find their guy. Can't be thin in goalie pool.

Listening to interviews with guys like Allison, Hart...Laberge is old beyond his years. They really drafted some good, mature, character kids on and off-the-ice.

Having said that, Rubtsov is a Commie and a junkie who just sat at his interview, with a poop eating grin, not speaking a word of English. I don't trust him.

Solid meat and potatoes drafting. I like it.

Maybe it's just me who thinks it was a brilliant draft. We are never going to get a top line sniper picking mid to late first in the draft. Ad unless we want to give up an army of prospects or offer a huge albatross contract we won't get one in Fa. Get Smart hockey players with size speed puck handling who like going to dirty areas. Let our high end d prospects get the puck to the net and clean up constantly with gritty 2 way forwards. Devil's made a living off a similar model in the 90s. I love it.

Connor Bunnaman, Kitchener Rangers (OHL, center/wing)

He interests me the most for some reason.

Looking forward to the development of all the pics next season.

"Bunnaman plays a "heavy" game in the trenches and works hard without the puck on his stick. Two years ago, he was listed at 6-foot, 183 pounds but had a growth spurt and continued to fill out. The OHL site lists him even bigger (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) than the Flyers' post-draft report (cited above). He's not especially creative with the puck but is good at going north-south and winning battles for loose pucks without taking many penalties."

He interests me the most for some reason.

Looking forward to the development of all the pics next season.

"Bunnaman plays a "heavy" game in the trenches and works hard without the puck on his stick. Two years ago, he was listed at 6-foot, 183 pounds but had a growth spurt and continued to fill out. The OHL site lists him even bigger (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) than the Flyers' post-draft report (cited above). He's not especially creative with the puck but is good at going north-south and winning battles for loose pucks without taking many penalties."
- wolfhounds

It's his name, seriously the name interests you!

It's his name, seriously the name interests you!
- Glak18

It's either a really gay interest, or an interest in delicious pastry. Maybe both? My wife is going to be A) disappointed or B) ecstatic. Life, you bastard.