Philadelphia Flyers 2016 Offseason Acquisitions Evaluation
Mar 19, 2016 18:04:27 GMT -5
Rob, Beans (BOS), and 1 more like this
Post by bjernagris (PHI) on Mar 19, 2016 18:04:27 GMT -5
Goaltenders
Juha Metsola
Age: 27
Latest team: Amur Khabarovsk (KHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: The smallish Finnish goaltender signed a one-year contract with the Flyers late in Free Agency. He spent last season as starting goalie for KHL side Amur where he carried the team deep into the playoffs. He is expected to fight with Jack Campbell and J-F Bérubé for the position as backup goalie behind Rask
Projected role: NHL – backup goaltender
Jack Campbell
Age: 24
Latest team: Dallas Stars (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: The 2011 1st round pick has so far had problems living up to expectations on him. He was let go by Dallas Stars after last season and the Flyers decided to give him a chance. He has an advantage from his size, but needs to work on his technical skills. Expect Flyers to give Campbell time to develop in the minors.
Projected role: AHL – starting goaltender
Jean-Francois Bérubé
Age: 25
Latest team: New York Islanders (NHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Bérubé spent last season in the Islanders organization, where he was limited to playing in the minors. He posted respectable numbers and was called up to the big league for a brief stint as backup when Jaroslav Halak was injured, but did not play. Expect Bérubé to start the season in the minors.
Projected role: AHL – backup goaltender
Defensemen
Jared Spurgeon
Age: 26
Latest team: Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Despite posting respectable numbers last season, Spurgeon went unsigned for the better part of July. Perhaps due to his injury-ridden 15/16 season or his lack of size, the interest in the right-handed D was not as big as expected. The Flyers decided to give him a chance and offered a 4-years contract. Spurgeon’s main assets are his speed, hockey sense and intangibles.
Projected role: NHL – 2nd pairing defenseman
Mark Friedman
Age: 20
Latest team: Bowling Green Falcons (NCAA)
Acquired through: Signed Draftee (2014: Rd 3, #86 overall)
Evaluation: Friedman enjoyed a great season in college hockey last year and was awarded an entry-level contract with the Flyers. Has an all-round skillset but still needs to develop all areas of his game further as well as get accustomed to senior hockey.
Projected role: AHL – 1st pairing defenseman
Derek Forbort
Age: 24
Latest team: Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: Forbort is a stay-at-home defenseman with great physical skills. He had a respectable season with Ontario Reign, the Kings AHL affiliate. Due to his limited offensive skills, the Flyers will probably be reluctant to give him a chance on their starting roster. However, there is hope that Forbort will develop further, and look for him to get this opportunity in the AHL.
Projected role: AHL – 1st pairing defenseman
David Henley
Age: 19
Latest team: Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Acquired through: Signed Draftee (2016: Rd 7, #208 overall)
Evaluation: The big, offensive-minded defenseman was picked up late in this summer’s draft as an over-ager. Henley had a good season in the QMJHL, averaging a point per game, but is deemed by Flyers management to need another season in the juniors before taking the step to senior ice hockey.
Projected role: Juniors – QMJHL
Forwards
Kyle Palmieri
Age: 25
Latest team: Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: Without doubt the Flyers’ most prestigious offseason addition, Palmieri will replace Matt Read on the Flyers second line. His speed and offensive skills are expected to give the Flyers offense an injection, being able to ice two deadly lines every evening. Palmieri should reach the 50 point plateau for the first time in his career.
Projected role: NHL – 2nd line winger
J.T Brown
Age: 26
Latest team: Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Speedster Brown was picked up late in Free Agency as a cheap depth piece. The small winger had a turbulent season last year, being traded twice and playing on the league’s worst team for the first half of the season. As his offensive skills are limited don’t expect a lot of points from Brown, but he should be a reliable role player.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line winger
Gregory Campbell
Age: 32
Latest team: Boston Bruins (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: Defensive center Campbell has been brought in to replace Nate Thompson as the Flyers’ checking center. A faceoff specialist and expert penalty killer, Campbell plays a physical game and is not afraid to sacrifice the body. On a relatively young roster, at least offensively, Campbell will also be an important piece in the locker room.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line center
Oscar Möller
Age: 27
Latest team: Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: After a solid season with 15/16 Gagarin Cup winners Ak Bars where he averaged one point per game in the regular season and playoffs combined, Möller is headed back to North America. The offensive winger will be fighting for a top-six role but on a Flyers roster packed with offensive talent, expect the speedy Swede to get a smaller role to begin with, and be used to fill in in case of injuries to key players.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line winger
Marcel Goc
Age: 32
Latest team: Geier Mannheim (DEL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Goc is back in the NHL after a year in his native country Germany. Much the same player as Campbell, Goc puts defense first and is known for his strong intangibles. He relies more on speed and less on physical play than Campbell, and his play has more offensive upside. Goc’s main role will be to fill in on the bottom line when needed.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line center/winger
Petr Holík
Age: 24
Latest team: PSG Zlín (Extraliga)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: After an impressive season in the Czech league, Holík was awarded a one-year deal. His main assets are his speed, offensive vision and passing play. Holík is center but the Flyers have hinted at retraining him into a winger, thereby being able to draw more effectively on his speed. The 24-year old will likely be given some time to get accustomed to playing on the wing and in North America.
Projected role: AHL – 1st line winger
Dino Wieser
Age: 27
Latest team: HC Davos
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Wieser signed a one-year deal with the Flyers after having had a great 15/16 season in the Swiss league. He has the speed, vision and passing skill that is required on the NHL level, but is lacking a bit of the physical ability that is required to play a consistent full season in North America. Expect his to be start the season in the minors to build up his physics and be ready when the chance comes to be called up to the big league.
Projected role: AHL – 1st line winger
Petteri Nikkilä
Age: 24
Latest team: HPK Häämenlinna (SM-Liiga)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Nikkilä is a versatile player, being able to play both as a defenseman and as winger. His puckhandling and offensive vision are his main assets, but he still needs to work on several aspects of his game. Having signed a two-year contract, expect Nikkilä to be given time to groom in the minors to hopefully being able to take the step to the big league next season.
Projected role: AHL – 2nd line winger
Reid Gardiner
Age: 20
Latest team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Acquired through: Signed Draftee (2016: Rd 7, #189 overall)
Evaluation: Gardiner was drafted as an overage player in the final round of this summer’s draft, and signed an entry level contract shortly thereafter. Gardiner has his main assets in the offensive game, but is slightly underdeveloped and will be given plenty of time to nurture in the minors.
Projected role: ECHL – 1st line center
Tanner Kaspick
Age: 18
Latest team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Kaspick went undrafted in this summer’s draft, but was signed to an entry level contract by the Flyers and sent back to the juniors for the coming season. Kaspick is a versatile forward, being able to play both center and winger. He has good size but needs to learn how to use it better. Expect him to spend at least one more season in the juniors.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL
Sean Montgomery
Age: 18
Latest team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Another undrafted player from this summer, Montgomery signed with the Flyers as a free agent. He still needs a couple of seasons to develop and will spend at least the coming year with WHL side Raiders.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL
Beck Malenstyn
Age: 18
Latest team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Malenstyn signed as a free agent after going undrafted in this summer’s draft, and was sent back to the Calgary Hitmen for another season in the juniors. His main asset is his strength.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL
Kody McDonald
Age: 18
Latest team: Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: After going undrafted this summer, McDonald signed an entry level contract with the Flyers. He was sent back to the juniors following his signing to be able to grow further before getting the chance in senior hockey.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL
Juha Metsola
Age: 27
Latest team: Amur Khabarovsk (KHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: The smallish Finnish goaltender signed a one-year contract with the Flyers late in Free Agency. He spent last season as starting goalie for KHL side Amur where he carried the team deep into the playoffs. He is expected to fight with Jack Campbell and J-F Bérubé for the position as backup goalie behind Rask
Projected role: NHL – backup goaltender
Jack Campbell
Age: 24
Latest team: Dallas Stars (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: The 2011 1st round pick has so far had problems living up to expectations on him. He was let go by Dallas Stars after last season and the Flyers decided to give him a chance. He has an advantage from his size, but needs to work on his technical skills. Expect Flyers to give Campbell time to develop in the minors.
Projected role: AHL – starting goaltender
Jean-Francois Bérubé
Age: 25
Latest team: New York Islanders (NHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Bérubé spent last season in the Islanders organization, where he was limited to playing in the minors. He posted respectable numbers and was called up to the big league for a brief stint as backup when Jaroslav Halak was injured, but did not play. Expect Bérubé to start the season in the minors.
Projected role: AHL – backup goaltender
Defensemen
Jared Spurgeon
Age: 26
Latest team: Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Despite posting respectable numbers last season, Spurgeon went unsigned for the better part of July. Perhaps due to his injury-ridden 15/16 season or his lack of size, the interest in the right-handed D was not as big as expected. The Flyers decided to give him a chance and offered a 4-years contract. Spurgeon’s main assets are his speed, hockey sense and intangibles.
Projected role: NHL – 2nd pairing defenseman
Mark Friedman
Age: 20
Latest team: Bowling Green Falcons (NCAA)
Acquired through: Signed Draftee (2014: Rd 3, #86 overall)
Evaluation: Friedman enjoyed a great season in college hockey last year and was awarded an entry-level contract with the Flyers. Has an all-round skillset but still needs to develop all areas of his game further as well as get accustomed to senior hockey.
Projected role: AHL – 1st pairing defenseman
Derek Forbort
Age: 24
Latest team: Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: Forbort is a stay-at-home defenseman with great physical skills. He had a respectable season with Ontario Reign, the Kings AHL affiliate. Due to his limited offensive skills, the Flyers will probably be reluctant to give him a chance on their starting roster. However, there is hope that Forbort will develop further, and look for him to get this opportunity in the AHL.
Projected role: AHL – 1st pairing defenseman
David Henley
Age: 19
Latest team: Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Acquired through: Signed Draftee (2016: Rd 7, #208 overall)
Evaluation: The big, offensive-minded defenseman was picked up late in this summer’s draft as an over-ager. Henley had a good season in the QMJHL, averaging a point per game, but is deemed by Flyers management to need another season in the juniors before taking the step to senior ice hockey.
Projected role: Juniors – QMJHL
Forwards
Kyle Palmieri
Age: 25
Latest team: Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: Without doubt the Flyers’ most prestigious offseason addition, Palmieri will replace Matt Read on the Flyers second line. His speed and offensive skills are expected to give the Flyers offense an injection, being able to ice two deadly lines every evening. Palmieri should reach the 50 point plateau for the first time in his career.
Projected role: NHL – 2nd line winger
J.T Brown
Age: 26
Latest team: Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Speedster Brown was picked up late in Free Agency as a cheap depth piece. The small winger had a turbulent season last year, being traded twice and playing on the league’s worst team for the first half of the season. As his offensive skills are limited don’t expect a lot of points from Brown, but he should be a reliable role player.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line winger
Gregory Campbell
Age: 32
Latest team: Boston Bruins (NHL)
Acquired through: Trade
Evaluation: Defensive center Campbell has been brought in to replace Nate Thompson as the Flyers’ checking center. A faceoff specialist and expert penalty killer, Campbell plays a physical game and is not afraid to sacrifice the body. On a relatively young roster, at least offensively, Campbell will also be an important piece in the locker room.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line center
Oscar Möller
Age: 27
Latest team: Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: After a solid season with 15/16 Gagarin Cup winners Ak Bars where he averaged one point per game in the regular season and playoffs combined, Möller is headed back to North America. The offensive winger will be fighting for a top-six role but on a Flyers roster packed with offensive talent, expect the speedy Swede to get a smaller role to begin with, and be used to fill in in case of injuries to key players.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line winger
Marcel Goc
Age: 32
Latest team: Geier Mannheim (DEL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Goc is back in the NHL after a year in his native country Germany. Much the same player as Campbell, Goc puts defense first and is known for his strong intangibles. He relies more on speed and less on physical play than Campbell, and his play has more offensive upside. Goc’s main role will be to fill in on the bottom line when needed.
Projected role: NHL – 4th line center/winger
Petr Holík
Age: 24
Latest team: PSG Zlín (Extraliga)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: After an impressive season in the Czech league, Holík was awarded a one-year deal. His main assets are his speed, offensive vision and passing play. Holík is center but the Flyers have hinted at retraining him into a winger, thereby being able to draw more effectively on his speed. The 24-year old will likely be given some time to get accustomed to playing on the wing and in North America.
Projected role: AHL – 1st line winger
Dino Wieser
Age: 27
Latest team: HC Davos
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Wieser signed a one-year deal with the Flyers after having had a great 15/16 season in the Swiss league. He has the speed, vision and passing skill that is required on the NHL level, but is lacking a bit of the physical ability that is required to play a consistent full season in North America. Expect his to be start the season in the minors to build up his physics and be ready when the chance comes to be called up to the big league.
Projected role: AHL – 1st line winger
Petteri Nikkilä
Age: 24
Latest team: HPK Häämenlinna (SM-Liiga)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Nikkilä is a versatile player, being able to play both as a defenseman and as winger. His puckhandling and offensive vision are his main assets, but he still needs to work on several aspects of his game. Having signed a two-year contract, expect Nikkilä to be given time to groom in the minors to hopefully being able to take the step to the big league next season.
Projected role: AHL – 2nd line winger
Reid Gardiner
Age: 20
Latest team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Acquired through: Signed Draftee (2016: Rd 7, #189 overall)
Evaluation: Gardiner was drafted as an overage player in the final round of this summer’s draft, and signed an entry level contract shortly thereafter. Gardiner has his main assets in the offensive game, but is slightly underdeveloped and will be given plenty of time to nurture in the minors.
Projected role: ECHL – 1st line center
Tanner Kaspick
Age: 18
Latest team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Kaspick went undrafted in this summer’s draft, but was signed to an entry level contract by the Flyers and sent back to the juniors for the coming season. Kaspick is a versatile forward, being able to play both center and winger. He has good size but needs to learn how to use it better. Expect him to spend at least one more season in the juniors.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL
Sean Montgomery
Age: 18
Latest team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Another undrafted player from this summer, Montgomery signed with the Flyers as a free agent. He still needs a couple of seasons to develop and will spend at least the coming year with WHL side Raiders.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL
Beck Malenstyn
Age: 18
Latest team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: Malenstyn signed as a free agent after going undrafted in this summer’s draft, and was sent back to the Calgary Hitmen for another season in the juniors. His main asset is his strength.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL
Kody McDonald
Age: 18
Latest team: Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Acquired through: Free Agency
Evaluation: After going undrafted this summer, McDonald signed an entry level contract with the Flyers. He was sent back to the juniors following his signing to be able to grow further before getting the chance in senior hockey.
Projected role: Juniors – WHL