PHILADELPHIA, Pa – The pickings are slim these days when it comes to looking for quality prospects in the Philadelphia Flyers system. The future seems to always be about the here and now. James Van Riemsdyk (JVR) and Eric Wellwood are just two of the Flyers top prospects that appear to have any shot at playing on left wing for a long period of time in an orange and black jersey.
The left wing position is currently headed by Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell, Dan Carcillo, and JVR in South Philly. Although some in the Flyers organization think a move to center will be more beneficial down the road, the Flyers are solid with Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, and Daniel Briere down the middle of the ice.
Don’t expect JVR to switch positions anytime soon. In the mean time, here is our look at the top six left wing for the Flyers. (All stats are as of February 8, 2010)
1) James Van Riemsdyk – (NCAA)
Heading into the 2007 NHL Entry draft, the left wing position was clearly the weakest throughout the organization. The Flyers took a turn in the right direction by taking Van Riemsdyk with the second overall pick behind the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane.Van Riemsdyk is in his first full season with the Flyers and is sixth on the team with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) and is tied for third in rookie scoring with Tyler Myers (Buffalo). He most likely won’t win the rookie-of-the-year honors but that’s ok, he wasn’t expected to win anyway. Provided he doesn’t get traded before this year’s trade deadline he should be with the Flyers for years to come, especially since the Flyers would prefer to move Hartnell and Gagne’s contract is up after next season.
Outlook – JVR will be on one of the Flyers’ top two lines for years to come, that is IF the team is patient.
2) Eric Wellwood (OHL)
Taken in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Wellwood has become a pleasant surprise. Currently he is tied for 15th in the OHL scoring race with 60 points (29 goals, 31 assists) in 53 games, but so is four of his Windsor Spitfire teammates. The big question for Wellwood is, despite being 5’ 11”, is he just benefitting from being on the highest scoring team in all of Canadian Major Juniors or is he the real deal? That is the big question. Time will tell but so far so good.
Outlook – A year or two in the AHL will prove his worth before getting a shot at the big club. He could become a slightly bigger Daniel Briere and that’s not a bad thing.
3) Patrick Maroon – (AHL)
After Van Riemsdyk and Wellwood, there is definite drop-off in talent. Still, one still thinks that Patrick Maroon will become a full time Flyers one day. Maroon turned heads in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) as a rookie scoring 35 goals and 55 assists in 64 games with the London Knights, a team currently owned by the same people who own the Flyers (Comcast-Spectacor).
Since then however it appears that he has lost his scoring touch. Drafted in 2007 with JVR in the sixth round, 161st overall, Maroon has not disappointed in the AHL scoring 23 goals and 31 assists in 80 games. So far he has only 7 goals and 21 assists in 38. A big body at 6 foot 4, 225 pounds, Maroon is a good fit for the Flyers so keep your eye on him.
Outlook – The only major issue with Maroon is that the Flyers don’t usually build from the draft, but if the Flyers decide to move Hartnell or Gagne for a solid defenseman, Maroon could be on the Flyers roster sooner than later.
4-6) Josh Beaulieu, Garrett Klotz, and Matt Clackson. – Unfortunately For the Flyers the good news is over. Throw all three players in a hat and you can decide who is 4th and who is 6th. Clackson has the speed and grit to make the Flyers fourth line. Beaulieu needs to get back to being the player he was with London when he played with Maroon. Klotz is built like Maroon but appears to be a bit tougher. Unfortunately for the Flyers he is another fourth liner in the making.
Next, a look at the Flyers centermen.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
