The Philadelphia Flyers completed their Rookie Collection towards the New York Rangers with a 4-3 shootout loss on the primary night time (Sept. 13) and a 3-2 additional time win on the second (Sept. 14). Who had been 4 of the most important standouts for the Orange and Black?
4. Spencer Gill, Defenseman
Spencer Gill, a second-round decide by the Flyers out of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in 2024, was pretty good in his two video games towards the Rangers. The best-shot defender stands at 6-foot-4, 185 kilos, and showcased a bit little bit of what he can present.
Subsequent to 22-year-old Hunter McDonald, who the Flyers have been raving about for the previous few months, it was Gill who did the heavy lifting. The latter was calm in his zone and saved up with the stream of the competition. Zone exits are an important a part of a defender’s sport, and that was one among his main tasks—he transitioned from protection to offense successfully.
Final season within the QMJHL, Gill tied for eleventh amongst defensemen in factors and completed second outright amongst defenders in that class who had been of their draft 12 months. Displaying this defensive upside so early is a step in the appropriate course. He’ll be an intriguing look ahead to the Rimouski Océanic (his group in juniors) over the subsequent few months.
3. Emil Andrae, Defenseman
Emil Andrae, a 22-year-old left-shot defenseman from the American Hockey League (AHL), confirmed some promise in his Rookie Collection performances. He wasn’t good, however he was nonetheless top-of-the-line prospects within the event.
Evidenced by tying for the Thirty second-most factors amongst defensemen within the AHL final season (32), Andrae is an offensive defenseman. At 5-foot-9 and 189 kilos, he’s on the smaller facet and thus has his work lower out for him if he needs to be an influence defender within the NHL.
However Andrae was significantly efficient on protection. His positioning was good and he restricted his botched zone exits—most of them had been clear. He by no means let his measurement harm him, taking part in no totally different than these half a foot taller than him. On the floor, he appears to be like to be one of many extra polished defenders within the system and fairly near the NHL stage.
Andrae debuted for the Flyers in 2023-24, however he was despatched right down to the AHL after a four-game stint. He may undoubtedly problem for a roster spot with a powerful preseason, although it’s most likely extra useful for him to see top-line ice time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms than constantly battle for a lineup spot with the Flyers.
2. Jett Luchanko, Middle
One other 2024 choice, thirteenth general decide Jett Luchanko confirmed the group at PPL Middle why he was taken so excessive. He contributed defensively, which was an ideal signal, however his offensive potential supplied some optimism for the 18-year-old.
Associated: Flyers’ Jett Luchanko May Make the Workforce in 2024-25
Luchanko notched assists in each contests towards the Rangers, together with one on the additional time winner on Sept. 14. There have been many situations the place he arrange a high quality likelihood because of his relentlessness contained in the offensive zone.
🔶 FLYERS WIN 🔶
Samu Tuomaala buries the GWG in OT!#LetsGoFlyers | @LVPhantoms pic.twitter.com/vS779RfZEG
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 14, 2024
Luchanko, set to play within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2024-25, appears mature past his years. There’s quite a bit to like about his sport, which may very seemingly permit him to debut for the Flyers earlier than his twentieth birthday if he continues his promising trajectory.
1. Matvei Michkov, Winger
Fairly simply, 19-year-old winger Matvei Michkov was the Flyers’ largest standout of their Rookie Collection. He solely performed as soon as towards the Rangers on Sept. 13, scoring a power-play purpose within the shootout loss. The 2024-25 Calder Trophy candidate was definitely spectacular.
Whereas the Flyers weren’t victorious, they had been much more harmful offensively of their loss versus their win, sarcastically sufficient. Michkov did nothing however create, all the time being the focus on the ice. His line with Luchanko and Elliot Desnoyers was constantly buzzing within the Rangers’ zone.
On the ability play particularly, I used to be impressed essentially the most by Michkov. It’s to not say he was the one cause for the success of the person benefit, nevertheless it appeared like a completely totally different unit when he was on the ice versus off of it. The Flyers have had the NHL’s worst energy play for 3 seasons in a row, desperately needing a participant who can change the dynamic—that’s what Michkov can present, and that’s what’s oh-so-exciting about his sport.
The one actual downside I observed with Michkov was his ending—he may’ve had a monster night time points-wise however ended up with one. It’ll be fascinating to see how he adapts to higher-level goaltending competitors as he makes his means into the NHL, which can be a completely totally different atmosphere from the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He may take a while to place up a taking pictures share correct to his expertise as a scorer, as he’ll be dealing with the perfect netminders on this planet.
A key takeaway right here is how Brent Flahr, the Flyers’ assistant common supervisor with main scouting affect, had a sneaky-good draft. Arriving in Philadelphia in December of 2018, he has accomplished a superb job general.
