Complete Analysis of the Flyers’ Three Second Round Draft Picks

Pascal Laberge, Center, QMJHL

6’1″, 175 lbs., Shoots Right

If there was ever a prospect who manages to go about his business without the kind of ballyhoo you’d expect from one of Quebec’s top amateur players, it’s definitely Pascal Laberge. The slick offensive dynamo went from being a top pick in the QMJHL draft to draft prospect obscurity, but a memorable performance at the CHL Top Prospects Game in January shed light on what’s been an excellent pre-draft season. Laberge can play both center and wing, although his ability to elude or confront detection and fire off a lethal shot with a quick release makes us think he’d be a tremendous compliment to a top-notch set-up guy.

Laberge is a good skater with a compact style yet strong enough to deal with a hit while maintaining possession. He keeps the puck close to his body, and his ability to change gears can catch a gambling defenseman flat footed. And while it’s cliché to say a skill player would be a devastating adversary with time and space on his side, Laberge truly is a player you don’t want to sleep on, as he unpredictable both with and without the puck. A true offensive threat who needs to get stronger and learn how to because an equal contributor in his own end.

https://twitter.com/coreypronman/status/746708984422293505

 

Carter Hart, Goalie, WHL

6’0″, 180 lbs., Catches Left

Drafted in the eighth round of the WHL Bantam Draft by the Everett Silvertips, Hart could very well be the first North American goaltender off the board in the upcoming NHL draft. Through 61 games this season, Hart sits second in the WHL with a 2.15 goals against average and first in wins (35) and shutouts (6).

While somewhat undersized by today’s goaltending standards, Hart’s ability to control his crease is one of the biggest positives to his game. He plays with a calmness between the pipes that benefits his ability to move post to post and come up with timely saves.

Hart took the reigns during the 2014-15 season stealing the starting job from the veteran Austin Lotz. He led them through the first round of the playoffs and has since controlled the crease for the Silvertips. He has Everett locked into a playoff spot this season and knows that it will take his calm play and hard work ethic to help drive his team further into the WHL playoffs.

His calmness in net is reminiscent of Carey Price and Jonathan Quick. While he’s not the biggest goalie, his athleticism and quickness makes up for what he lacks in size. If his numbers in junior – and those he put up at the Ivan Hlinka tournament – are any indication of what this kid can do, he could end up being a relatively successful NHL goalie with potential to earn a starting job.

Carter Hart. First Goaltender goes 48 to Philadelphia. Do others go quickly now?

— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) June 25, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIdruCXGBj4

Wade Allison, Right Wing, USHL

6’2″, 192 lbs., Shoots Right

Allison is definitely a riser in this Draft, the question will be how much. Central Scouting had him as a third round pick, but that was before he blew up in the USHL playoffs, so there’s a chance he could go even higher. I have him about 50th on my Draft list, which equates to an early third round pick. Somewhere in the third round is the most likely landing spot for Allison, but there’s a possibility a team that really likes him could jump up and take him in the second round.

He is a true power forward. He’ll likely slide over to the wing full-time as a pro with a ceiling as a second or third line winger that plays a hard, gritty game and chips in some offense with his toughness around the net. He’ll head to Western Michigan next season where he can play up to four seasons before heading to the pros. Allison will likely play two or three years of college before signing a pro contract.

Delicious irony that Wade Allison is a Flyer…as close to a five-tool player as there is. Strong, bullish forward. Perfect for PHI.

— Jordan Kuhns (@jordanckuhns) June 25, 2016

 

H/T to Draft Analyst, The Hockey Writers, SBN College Hockey