PHILADELPHIA, Pa – For a franchise known for coveting quality centermen over the years, the cupboard appears pretty bare these days in the Flyers farm system is officially at its lowest point in years. There use to be a time when you could pretty much set your clock as to when the Flyers would make a trade for another team’s top, but underachieving, center prospect. The Flyers have always drafted centers as well as made trades to build up the middle of the ice. These days, on the Flyers parent club, two of the top three centers could be on All-Star team in Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. Daniel Briere can play center as well and is a pure goal scorer. That’s where the good news ends. As you will see, the number of quality center after the big 3 is all but gone. Today’s focus is on the Flyers’ center position in their farm system. Here are what we consider to be the team’s top four center prospects. We usually five listed but we don’t see a fifth worth mentioning. Yes Flyers fans, it’s that bad. (All stats are as of February 10, 2010)
Jonathan Matsumoto
1) Jonathan Matsumoto – (AHL) A goal scorer from Bowling Green University, Matsumoto spent three seasons as one of the team’s best players finishing with 49 goals and 64 assists in 110 career games. A former third round pick in 2006, you can bet that Matsumoto will get a long look come training camp this September. Matsumoto isn’t big, but he plays that way. So far this season with the Phantoms he is first in 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists). Last season he finished with a career high in goals, assists, and points with 63 (29 goals, 34 assists). If the Flyers have to cut payroll next season Matsumoto could make the team. You can bet that the Flyers will give Matsumoto a longer look since he can score and the Flyers are in need of more goal scorers Outlook – On a team with Daniel Briere, Jeff Carter, and Mike Richards ahead of him, it might become a problem for Matsumoto but as I mentioned before if the Flyers have to cut payroll down, he could be moved to left wing since he is a left-handed shot. 2) David Labrecque – (QMJHL) A sixth round pick in 2009, Labrecque is having a very good season for Shawinigan with 21 goals and 33 assists in 51 games, is one of the top scorers on one of the best teams in the Q. he has improved in every season in the Q and should be a player to watch for years to come, especially with the Flyers lack of depth at center. He could be a sleeper and should make either an AHL or ECHL roster next season. Outlook – He has a very bright future and could turn out to be a quality centerman. A true diamond in the rough. 3) Jon Kalinski – (AHL) Kalinski has some NHL experience with the big club and could get some down the road. The Flyers like his size and ability to be physical. Will never be a goal scorer but will make for a solid fourth liner. 4) Zac Rinaldo – (AHL) Rinaldo is a sixth round pick in 2008 (178th overall) and is listed as a center on the Flyers web site, but he is listed as a left winger on other web sites. Either way his play has slipped and will probably move on from the organization after this season. Next time, we will focus will be on the Flyers right wing prospects. Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com
