A lot of the guys mentioned are truly fringe prospects, and it seems like the better ones are further away. The Flyers have a nice crop of defensive prospects (a lot of projects) and are rich in goaltending, but need some more scoring or in ten years Gagne will be making plays without finishers. Read on to learn more!
(6'1, 168 lbs)
1st round, 98
STATS: (Through 12/15) 34 GP, 25g-31a-56p, +15, 26 PIM, 8 PPG, 2 SHG, 3 GWG
Gagne is enjoying a fine season in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts. The Remparts' 27-game unbeated streak just ended (tying a record from 73-74 by Sorel) and Gagne was a key player in that. During the streak, he had a 21 game scoring streak in which he scored 40 points. He is in the top ten of QMJHL scoring. It will be interesting to see how Gagne turns out compared to his teammate, Eric Chouinard, who was the more highly touted prospect at last year's draft. Again, Gagne is a centerman who isn't extremely speedy (although he skates well, above average speed, esp. with puck) but sees the ice well and is character player. Gagne made the WJC squad (Chouinard was a late cut).
Gagne was the leading goal scorer at the World Jr. Championships (7-1-8 in 7 GP). He had only one goal in the round robin portion (he was playing on a checking line), but coach Tom Renney changed his linemates in the playoffs to get Simon some more room. Gagne responded with 6 goals in his last three games -- including a record-tying four against Kazakhstan and a shorthanded beauty against Sweden. He was only behind temmate Daniel Tzackuk in point scoring on the Canadian squad. He also did a nice job defensively; he was +9 and only on the ice for 2 goals against. He won 56% of his faceoffs. Gagne is the first real offensive prospect the Flyers have had in years.
For a slightly more updated, full-length profile on top prospect Simon Gagne, click here.
(6'3, 184 lbs)
2nd round pick, 97
STATS: (Through 1/1) 24 GP, 1368 min, 2.250 GAA, 1 shutout, 14W-8L-1T, 57 GA, 642 Saves, .918 save %
JMP is as brash as ever and has probably stolen the mantle of "goalie of the future" from Brian Boucher. He has looked good this year, especially since Brian's injury. During the Phantoms recent struggles, Pelletier did not look great, but he faces a lot of shots every night. Since Brian's injury he has played every game; emergency backup Koenig has merely sat the bench. The Phantoms have given up a lot of shots and his play has been key to their success. He was named AHL Rookie of the Month for November. JMP was elected a starter to the PlanetUSA AHL all-star squad.
(6'1, 190lbs)
1st round, 95
STATS: (Through 1/1) 10 GP, 594 min, 2.62 GAA, 6W-2L-2T, 1 shutout, 26 goals allowed, 259 saves, .909 save %, 2 PIM
Brian enjoyed a roaring start to the season, but in late October he had an extremely poor outing which makes his stats a little deceptive. Other than that one loss where he gave up 7 or 8 goals, he had been strong in net, even notching his first professional shutout in a 0-0 tie against Syracuse. In the game following this poor start, Brian injured his knee and has not played since. With Pelletier's strong play, Brian may have lost his starting position permanently. His name has surfaced in several trade rumors and with expansion, he is prime trade bait. Boucher has finally returned from his inury, but the teams' struggles are not helping him. Personally, I like Boucher better than JMP, but I can't honestly put him above JMP unless he grabs the Phantoms no. 1 spot back from him.
(6'3, 205 lbs)
2nd round, 98)
STATS: (final for season), 81 GP, 4G, 27A, 31P, 240 PIM
Playing with Seattle (WHL). I don't have any direct reports on his play, although his plus/minus is extremely impressive (by far the highest on his team). His description and stats seem to imply he's a crease-clearer. Reports I've read online rave about his one-on-one play and say his skating is more than decent. He won't make any impact on the Flyers for a long time, but he's probably the best pure defensive prospect.
(6'2, 196 lbs)
4th round, 97
STATS: (Through 1/1) 26 GP, , 2g-3a-5p, 68, +4 PIM
This is Chernov's first year in North America and he seems to be playing well. By all accounts, he's playing nasty in front of the net and adjusting well. He suffered an injury during training camp that injured his chances of making the big club. His fellow Russian, Dmitri Tertyshny, made the club...but Chernov is considered the better long-term prospect. A two way defenseman who needs to come along slowly but could be a no.3 or no. 4 defenseman.
Mikhail is extra cool because we share a birthday (he's a year older).
(6'2, 205lbs)
Signed as an undrafted free agent, summer 98
STATS: (Through 1/1) 32 GP, 5g-9a-14p, 24 PIM, 3 PPG, 2 GWG
Clarke called his signing a "top" one. I belittled this label earlier in this summer, and I'm only slightly convinced I was wrong. Eaton hasn't been a major offensive producer this year, but again, he seems to be adjusting pretty well. Definitely still in the Flyers future plans. However, compare his production to fellow NCAA grad Ray Giroux (who was traded to the Islanders in exchange for a late pick): Giroux leads AHL dmen in powerplay goals and was Rookie of the Month for December and looks much better defensively. Hmm...
(6'3, 189 lbs)
7th round, 98
STATS: (Through 1/1) 25 GP, 7g-1a-8p, 22 PIM
I don't know too much about Divisek, but he put up good numbers at the WJC, which inclined me to put him ahead of players who won't make a huge impact at the NHL or who are extreme long shots. He was 2-7-9 at the WJC and the Czech Republic's top scorer and the tournaments #6 scorer (just ahead of Gagne).
(height?, weight?)
Signed as undrafted free agent, summer 98. Later traded from Calgary for draft pick(long story)
STATS: (Through 1/1) 26 GP, 0g-6a-6p, 88 PIM
I put Bast this low because he seems to be a "finished product" rather than a "work-in-progress." Bast has not played poorly with the Phantoms, but in some ways he has been a disappointment. After the red tape surrounding his acquisition had been cleared, Bast reported to the Phantoms and even enjoyed a brief callup to the NHL during the weeks when the Flyers defense was decimated by injuries. He recorded an assist there. Bast has played physically in front of the net, but apparently is prone to turnovers. Sounds a little like some Flyer defensemen we know.
(6'1, 192 lbs)
Signed as undrafted free agent, summer 97
STATS: (Through 1/1) 30 GP, 3g-6a-8p, 28 PIM, 1 SHG, 1 GWG
Like Bast, nearly a finished product. He is still a liability defensively, although his offensive skills are medium-NHL caliber. Delmore, like Bast, was called up to the Flyers during October when Desjardins and co. were injured. Delmore seemed to impress more than Bast. He played the power play and penalty kill and notched his first NHL point (an assist) in the same game as Bast. Of all the Flyers many defensive prospects, Delmore seems the only puck-carrier close the NHL. On the other hand, he may get pushed aside in favor of younger, hotter prospects.
(6'0,178 lbs)
8th round, 97
STATS: (Through 1/1) 26 GP, 0g-3a-3p, 22 PIM
Kauppinen is project city, but interesting enough to steal the final spot from some more finished, lower-ceiling players. He played well at the World Jr. Championships offensively (3-2-5 in 6GP), but his defensive play was suspect. This may be because of his size -- some reports had him being manhandled by larger Canadian forwards. He is a long shot as an NHL prospect and is hampered by playing for a bad JyP team in the Finnish League. He led all defensemen at the WJC in goal scoring and was second in points behind teammate Mikola. He led Finland in game winning goals -- but the defending champs disappointed.
(6'2, 210 lbs)
Overage pick, 5th round, 98
STATS: (through 1/1) 22 gp, 5g-3a-8p, 92 PIM
May develop into a Rick Tochett type, but needs more development. Almost took the #10 spot from Kauppinen.
(6'2, 217 lbs)
5th round, 96
STATS: (Through 1/1) 14GP, 1g-2a-3p, 58 PIM
Playing physically, needs to control his temper better. Remember, you can't score from the penalty box. Some Phantoms watchers like Belanger more than Boulerice.
I like Paul Healey a lot as a player, but he may have missed his window to jump to the NHL. He's having a tough season and is losing prospect status. Neil Little risks being forgotten in the IHL and if he doesn't get out soon, he make never make the NHL, even as a backup. Little and Healey both better hope they are chosen in expansion. Finally, I think Brian Wesenberg will have to prove more before I put him back up too. His stats are too mediocre, considering he has a year's AHL experience under his belt.
(6'6, 206 lbs)
2nd round, 98
STATS: (Through 12/15) 34 GP, 0g-5a-5p, +10, 117 PIM
Has a brother named Colin (no relation). Again, no direct reports available but those 106 penalty minutes are eye popping. Some think he's awful. A major project...much worse than Beckett. If he filled out, his size woud make him worth watching.
(6'1, 172 lbs)
6th round, 98
A late cut from World Jrs., some think this goalie could be really good. He follows the recent Flyers trend of drafting big goaltenaders. I always assumed he was a safety pick, since it's wise to have a lot of goaltending in the system (esp. with expansion). Either way, I don't know enough about him to put him in the top ten, although other reports I've seen put him there. If he does well next year at the WJC, I'll put him higher.
(6'0, 190 lbs)
8th round, 97
Hasn't been able to crack the Modo lineup and playing in a lower level league in Sweden. He has been hampered by another injury (concussion). If he doesn't refine his raw talent soon, he will be forgotten.
Here are links to some of my sources. I don't just know this stuff off the top of my head:
Bill Meltzer's "Philly's Phuture" editorials at Mike Barr's Flyers site
Hockeys Future: Hockey 2000
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