PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – When looking over the Flyers prospects rankings last season, it was pretty clear that the right wing position was easily the deepest position in the organization. A case could have been made that at least five of the teams right wing prospects have a legitimate chance of making an impact on an NHL roster.
With the trading of Steve Downie to Tampa Bay, and Stefan Rusicka going overseas, the list of top prospects dwindled, The Flyers still have a solid crop of right wing prospects in their system, but it is no longer the best position on the team. The defensive core has overtaken the right wings as the best overall position in terms of depth. Here is what we consider to be the Flyers top 5 right wing prospects. All stats are as of January 7, 2009.
Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Phantoms
When former Flyers General Manger Bob Clarke walked up to the podium at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver, Clarke, who had his sites set earlier in the day on drafting current OHL defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti, had momentary brain lock when announcing the Flyers first round draft pick. Sanguinetti was taken by the hated New York Rangers just one spot before Philadelphia had the chance to take him. Clarke stumbled to remember Giroux’s name, then turned to Holmgren and asked who they were drafting. The moment was a comical one. The hosts at TSN in Canada who were covering the draft broke out in laughter which I’m sure anyone watching on TV was doing as well. Needless to say, Clarke and Giroux will never forget it, or at least not anytime soon. You can bet one thing however. If projections turn out to be true, there just might come a time when everyone remembers Claude Giroux’s name. Giroux just might be the most offensively gifted player in the entire Flyers system. Giroux finished second in overall scoring in the Quebec Major Juniors for Gatineau with 33 goals and 67 assists in 55 games. Giroux led Gatineau to the QMJHL championship by having an impressive playoff season by setting the QMJHL’s playoff scoring record with 17 goals and 34 assists (51 points) in only 19 games. To show just how impressive his playoff run was, teammate Paul Byron was second in playoff scoring with only 32 points. In other words, Giroux had more assists than the next competitor had points. The past two Flyers training camps, Giroux has been so impressive that the Flyers were tempted to keep him around. In fact, one Flyers beat writer called his time at the Flyers prospects camp “dominating”. As someone who attended those camps, I wouldn’t exactly call his stint dominating, but the talent is definitely there. Giroux began the season in the AHL with the Philadelphia Phantoms and didn’t skip. At the time of his call up Giroux was third overall in league scoring with 17 goals and 16 assists in 31 games. Today Giroux is up with the Flyers due to injuries. In four games he has two assists. Despite his 5’ 9″ frame, Giroux is tailor made for today’s NHL. Giroux is quick on his skates and passes the puck well. Time and patience is needed when evaluating Giroux, but you can bet one thing, if there is a way the Flyers can get Giroux onto the playoff roster, especially if injuries continue to effect the Flyers offense, Giroux will be part of the Stanley Cup playoffs, not the Calder Cup playoffs. Outlook – No matter what happens this season, look for Giroux to start next season with the Flyers. Once he makes the parent clubs roster, great things could be in store for Giroux as potentially a perennial 20-40 goal scorer.
2) Andreas Nodl – (NCAA) Slowly but surely, the legend of Andreas Nodl at St. Cloud State University grew. It is rare enough to have a native of Austria on your roster, but one with so much skill and speed is indeed another. Nodl was taken 17 spots after Giroux in 2006, and so far has lived up to his billing. Nodl spent two seasons in the USHL (with Sioux Falls) before going to St. Cloud. His second season in the USHL, Nodl scored a career high 29 goals and 30 assists in 58 games. Last season at St. Cloud Nodl scored 18 goals and 26 assists in 40 games. Nodl made quite an impression with the Flyers out of training camp, and could have stuck with the big club. He has been going back and forth between the NHL and AHL, and like Giroux, is currently up with the big club due to injuries. Outlook – One edge that Nodl has is he is a left handed shot. That could help Nodl move to left wing if necessary. Flyers scouts really like his speed so don’t be surprised if he wears and orange and black jersey on a more permanent basis come next season.
3) Mario Kempe – (QMJHL) Kempe was a member of Team Sweden during the 2007 World Juniors Tourneyment. Kempe was draft in 2007 in the 5th round, but he was scoring in the QMJHL as though he were a first round pick. Kempe in his second season with St. John’s outdid his output from the previous season. In 48 games, Kempe finished with 25 goals and 24 assists in 43 games, good for third on the team, The previous season Kempe had 23 goals and 19 assists in 62 games. Kempe’s scoring touch has definitely made him a prospect worth watching. Outlook – Kempe is currently in the Swedish Elite league and has 2 goals and 8 assists in 30 games. Despite his size, Kempe is someone you will need to keep you eye on.
4) Rob Bellamy – (AHL) Bellamy was a four year member of the University of Maine Blackbears and was a solid performer, but more importantly can be a key component of a team trying to win a championship. “There’s no question, he is one of the most intense players I have ever coached,” explained University of Maine head coach Tim Whitehead. “Rob’s just an all-out, in-your-face competitor. He’ll hit anything that moves.” If Bellamy wants to make the big club one day you can bet he will be counted on to be that kind of player every night. A good skater that could fit the mold of a third or fourth line winger.
5) Andrei Popov – (KHL) A former seventh round pick in 2006 (205 overall), Popov is currently playing for Chelyabinsk in the (KHL) and has 3 goals and 5 assists in 39 games. Popov is not known as a goal scorer, but it developing his game to be a two way player. Popov could come overseas next season and prove his worth in the AHL. Outlook – Popov was considered a low risk, high reward prospect. Only time will tell if he will turn out to be a diamond in the rough.
Honerable mention Matt Clackson is another in your face kind of player the Flyers love. He is currently a teammate of Bellamy on the Phantoms, and like Bellamy is not a goal scorer. He could make the team as a fourth line grinder. Next on our list, a look at the Flyers defensive prospects. Contact the author at
Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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