Flyers Top 20 prospects

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Written by: Al Alven on 10/02/2005

Flyers Top 20 Prospects

As the Philadelphia Flyers prepare to enter the world of the post-lockout NHL, there is little question as to where the strength of the organization’s farm system lies.

With heralded centers Jeff Carter and Mike Richards leading the way, the Flyers boast their best collection of young forward talent in at least two decades. Not since the early 1980s, when the organization’s depth chart featured promising (but untested) names like Rich Tocchet, Ron Sutter, Pelle Eklund, Scott Mellanby and Peter Zezel has so much hype and anticipation surrounded the development of more than a handful of promising front-liners.

The aforementioned players, all drafted between 1982 and 1984, helped form a dynamic core that led the Flyers to sustained success, including Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 1985 and 1987. General manager Bob Clarke is banking on his forward prospects of the present – a group that also includes centers Patrick Sharp, R.J. Umberger and Ryan Potulny, along with wingers Stefan Ruzicka, Ben Eager and Steve Downie – to help the Flyers repeat history.

Meanwhile, defense and goaltending depth – strengths of the organization in recent years – are now perceived as weaknesses.

With the graduations of Joni Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg to the NHL roster, the Flyers’ system is very thin in blue line talent. After promising Alexandre Picard, question marks in the form of Phantoms mainstays Randy Jones and Freddy Meyer, second year pro Rosario Ruggeri and Minnesota freshman R.J. Anderson persist.

The goaltending ranks now consists, essentially, of the talented-but-unproven duo of Rejean Beauchemin and Martin Houle, following the decision not to offer contracts to three amateur netminders during the offseason (see below).

Overall, the following, updated Flyers Top 20 ranking is made up of 12 forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders. Forwards occupy each of the top five slots, and seven of the top ten.

Top 20 at a glance

1. Jeff Carter, Center
2. Mike Richards, Center
3. Patrick Sharp, Center
4. R.J. Umberger, Center
5. Stefan Ruzicka, Right Wing
6. Alexandre Picard, Defenseman
7. Rejean Beauchemin, Goaltender
8. Ryan Potulny, Center
9. Randy Jones, Defenseman
10. Ben Eager, Left Wing
11. Martin Houle, Goaltender
12. Steve Downie, Right Wing
13. Freddy Meyer, Defenseman
14. Rosario Ruggeri, Defenseman
15. Ladislav Scurko, Center
16. Rob Bellamy, Right Wing
17. R.J. Anderson, Defenseman
18. Freddy Cabana, Left Wing
19. David Printz, Defenseman
20. Alexander Drozdetsky, Right Wing

Key: Rank (previous rank) name, position - age
Career potential

1. (1) Jeff Carter, C - 20
Career potential: Franchise forward

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts.	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts.	PIM	+/-
S.S. Marie Greyhounds	OHL	55	34	40	74	40	+20	7	5	5	10	6	E
Philadelphia Phantoms	AHL	3	0	1	1	4	-1	21	12	11	23	12	+10

The Flyers’ most heralded forward prospect since Eric Lindros, Carter will make his long-awaited NHL debut this season. According to head coach Ken Hitchcock, he would have been a virtual lock to make the team directly out of training camp last year, had it not been for the lockout. Carter, along with fellow junior phenom Mike Richards, then 19, was ineligible to start the season with the Phantoms and, thus, had little recourse but to return to the OHL for a fourth major junior campaign.

The London, Ontario native made the most of the situation, however, and went on to post a season for the ages. He carried a mediocre Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds team to its first OHL playoff appearance in four years, played a major role in Team Canada’s dominating march to the gold at the World Junior Championships and (after signing an amateur try-out contract) led the AHL in playoff scoring and the Phantoms to their second Calder Cup title.

These feats merely cemented Carter’s status as one of the top young hockey players on the planet. Tellingly, he has already been penciled in by Hitchcock to start the season on the Flyers first line with all-world center Peter Forsberg and Simon Gagne. Such a role will entail much responsibility and pressure to perform, especially considering Carter’s complete lack of experience at the right wing position.

The Flyers feel, however, that Carter will eventually excel in his new role, and will evolve into a more complete player for it. The general feeling around the NHL is that the young center is part of a first-year crop that could be considered the most talented in league history. Generational talents Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are (and should be) considered the favorites for the Calder Trophy. But, don’t discount Carter’s ability to, at least, make the race a thrilling one. Either way, his ability to have an impact will be paramount to the Flyers’ overall chances of success this season.

2. (2) Mike Richards, C - 20
Career potential: Top two-way pivot

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Kitchener Rangers

OHL

+10

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

–

Keith Primeau had only seen Richards play in person during a few informal scrimmages at the Flyers practice facility in Voorhees, New Jersey over the summer, when he conceded that the talented, 20-year-old forward will likely be his successor as team captain. It is an opinion that has been shared by many, ever since the Flyers selected Richards with the 24th overall pick of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Like the organization's other veteran players and front office personnel, Primeau has been awestruck by the professional demeanor with which Richards carries himself, the leadership skills he readily exhibits and the competitive fire that drives him, both on and off the ice.

It is Richards' reputation as a winner, however -- he added a Calder Cup with the Phantoms in June to a resume that already included a Memorial Cup (Kitchener Rangers, 2002-03) and a WJC title (Team Canada, 2005) -- that has Flyers players, officials and local newspaper scribes alike gushing about his long-term potential as a franchise player.

This isn't to say that the road to NHL stardom will be an easy one for Richards, however. Listed by the Flyers at a very generous 5'11, 199 lbs., he will have to fight for respect (and every inch of space on the ice) in the land of the giants. Richards' tenacity and relentlessly aggressive style of play should do him well in this regard, but will also bring wear and injury concerns to the forefront.

With injuries to various Flyers veterans during the early stages of training camp, Ken Hitchcock has had to shuffle his line combinations on an almost daily basis. One unit that has worked together extremely well, however, and has already been penciled in for the start of the regular season, is the line of Richards, Mike Knuble and Jon Sim.

3. (3) R.J. Umberger, C – 23
Career potential: Second line center

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

+19

After sitting out the entire previous season due to a contract dispute with the Vancouver Canucks, Umberger received universal praise for his quick, smooth and effective transition to the AHL game in 2004-05. The former Ohio State star went on to establish himself as, perhaps, the Phantoms' top all-around player by early November.

Umberger led the team in scoring during the regular season, played in all game situations and earned praise from his coaches for his emerging ability to lead. It was the Pittsburgh native's effectiveness in adjusting to a modified role come playoff time, however, that most impressed the Flyers' brass.

With offensive contributors Carter and Richards added to the Phantoms roster for the postseason, head coach John Stevens asked Umberger to focus more on defense, and the task of shutting down opponents' top lines. Umberger took on the thankless, spotlight-diminishing job with an impressive level of enthusiasm. Not surprisingly, he proved he could contribute some in the offensive end.

In any other year, Umberger would be a favorite to land a full-time job with the Flyers right out of training camp. Due to the roster logjam that the team finds itself with, however, he is most likely to at least start his second professional season back with the Phantoms. Umberger has proven his worth to the organization though, and will be one of the Flyers' top call-up candidates in 2005-06.

Don't be surprised, however, to hear Umberger's name mentioned in trade rumors throughout the season. Due to his potential, age and "affordable" contract figures, he will be an attractable commodity for teams looking to unload salary in the "new" NHL. He is also a player who the Flyers, due to their tremendous depth down the middle, could likely afford to part with if the right deal came along.

4. (5) Patrick Sharp, C – 23
Career potential: Checking line forward

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

Sharp established himself as a reliable, versatile checking line forward with the Flyers during the final two-thirds of the 2003-04 season. His decision to return to the Phantoms during the lockout, with whom he appeared in 88 games over the course of the previous two years, proved beneficial for both the player and the organization.

Though other players often seemed to grab more of the headlines -- Umberger and local product Tony Voce during the regular season, Carter and Richards throughout the playoffs -- Phantoms head coach John Stevens always viewed Sharp as the team's "go-to" guy.

The former University of Vermont standout scored many big goals for the AHL team last season, most notably the double-overtime winner in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals at Chicago, a tally that put the Phantoms up 2-0 as the series headed back to Philadelphia.

The Flyers were most impressed with Sharp's ability to step up his game and lead in the postseason, the instant and very effective chemistry he developed with Jeff Carter, and the fact that he rated as one of the AHL's most prolific performers in shootout situations, a trait that became all the more important when the NHL officially adapted its new tie-breaking format over the summer.

Sharp is a sure bet to make the Flyers roster out of training camp this season, even with the logjam of quality forwards currently competing for precious few spots. He will have to maintain a healthy level of consistency and effectiveness throughout the season, however, if he hopes to remain with the team for good.

5. (4) Stefan Ruzicka, RW – 20
Career potential: Scoring winger

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Owen Sound Attack

OHL

+21

-2

Ultra-talented, but plagued by questions about his desire, work ethic, consistency and all-around play, Ruzicka is undoubtedly the "wild card" of the Flyers' organizational depth chart. The Nitra, Slovakia native will begin his pro career this season with the Phantoms in the AHL.

Ruzicka's success at the next level will depend greatly upon his level of focus and ability to string together solid performances (not just game to game, but shift to shift) without disappearing for long stretches of time.

When Ruzicka was "on" during his two-year stint with the Owen Sound Attack, he had few offensive peers in the OHL. In 124 total games, he tallied an extremely well-balanced 71 goals and 71 assists for 142 points, to go along with 124 PIMs.

But Ruzicka is far from a complete player. However, if he can develop into the offensive weapon that the Flyers envision him as, the team will likely be able to live with his defensive shortcomings. Better yet, of course, would be the scenario where Ruzicka takes more of an initiative, and works hard to improve in all areas of his game.

Either way, Ruzicka will be the player to watch this year on the Phantoms. At this stage, he appears to be shaping up as a boom or bust-type prospect.

6. (11) Alexandre Picard, D – 20
Career potential: Second-pairing defenseman

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Halifax Mooseheads

QMJHL

+18

+10

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

–

Picard moves up five slots -- more than any other player on this list -- thanks to a strong finish to his 2004-05 junior season with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads and an impressive (albeit brief) performance with the Phantoms during the Calder Cup finals.

When he was drafted by the Flyers in 2003 (3rd round, 85th overall), Picard was viewed as a solid, all-around defender who did just about everything well, but nothing spectacularly. Over the past two seasons, however, he has shown marked improvement in virtually every aspect of his game, and, ultimately, earned a reputation as one of the top defensemen in the "Q."

Picard made his professional debut this past spring, joining the Phantoms during the Calder Cup Finals (via an ATO) when the team ran into injury problems on the blue line. He played virtually without flaw in two games, cementing his status as the organization's top amateur rearguard and clinching a spot on the Phantoms roster for the 2005-06 season.

He will counted upon to contribute immediately to a blue line unit that has already lost top contributors Joni Pitkanen and Dennis Seidenberg to the Flyers, and is likely to remain in a state of flux for the foreseeable future. Similar to Jeff Carter and Mike Richards' situations with the Flyers, Picard is a young player whose performance will go a long way in determining the overall success of his team.

7. (7) Rejean Beauchemin, G – 20
Career potential: No. 1 goaltender

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team	League	GP	W	L	T	SO	GAA	SP	GP	W	L	SO	GAA	SP
Prince Albert Raiders	WHL	54	21	24	4	5	2.61	.901	17	11	6	2	2.15	.919

After establishing himself as one of the top netminders in the Canadian junior ranks over the past two seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), Beauchemin is set to make his pro debut with the Phantoms. He will share the team's goaltending duties with veteran Jamie Storr, who signed with the Flyers as a free agent in August.

It goes without saying that Beauchemin and Storr have big shoes to fill, as they will replace the popular, Calder Cup-winning duo of Antero Niittymaki and Neil Little. Niittymaki, the MVP of the team's title run, has moved up to the Flyers. Little, the Phantoms' all-time wins leader, opted to continue his career in Finland.

The plan now is for Beauchemin to be eased into the starting role over time, just as Niittymaki was when he arrived with the Phantoms in 2002-03. Storr will likely start in roughly 60 percent of the games this season, though a variety of circumstances could change things.

Injuries to either Niittymaki or Flyers starter Robert Esche would almost certainly necessitate Storr's recall to the NHL team, for instance, allowing Beauchemin to get a modified early test run as the Phantoms' starter.

The Flyers are very high on Beauchemin's character, and ability to deal with adversity, especially after watching him carry mediocre Prince Albert team to WHL playoff performances in each of the past two seasons.

8. (12) Ryan Potulny, C – 21
Career potential: Second line forward

2004-05 Statistics Vs. Conference Overall

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Univ. of Minnesota

WCHA

–

Potulny enjoyed a strong sophomore season for perennial powerhouse Minnesota in 2004-05, tying for the team lead in goals (with Danny Irmen) and finishing third in overall points. He proved to be an indispensible factor in helping the Golden Gophers reach the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals, where they ultimately fell to championship runner-up North Dakota.

Most importantly, Potulny played in all of the Golden Gophers' 44 games, showing no ill effects of the knee injury that robbed him of the majority of his freshman campaign. In fact, Potulny's smooth-skating stride seemed better than ever, as he continued to learn to use his speed to burn opposing defenders and draw penalties.

In a relatively surprising development, Potulny actually turned down a contract offer from the Flyers this summer, reasoning that he was not yet ready to turn pro and wanted one more season to round out his game. If all continues to go as planned, the Grand Forks, ND native will make his professional debut, presumably with the Phantoms, in 2006-07.

For now, however, Potulny's focus will be squarely on helping Minnesota to a national title, as his brother Grant (now a third year pro in the Ottawa Senators' system) did as team captain in 2002 and 2003.

9. (10) Randy Jones, D – 24
Career potential: Third-pairing defenseman

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

When a forward is referred to as being "invisible" on the ice, it is far from a compliment. When a defenseman earns that distinction, however, it is just the opposite. Over the course of the past two seasons, Jones has quietly provided the Phantoms with steady, reliable and effective play on the blue line, game in and game out.

The Flyers remain very high on the unspectacular former Clarkson University standout, particularly for his ability to limit his own mistakes and make up for the ones his teammates commit. As unnoticeable as Jones can be, he can, when the situation requires, play with more of an offensive bent to his game.

Though not blessed with great skating ability, Jones is, nonetheless, adequate in that regard and can rush the puck or quarterback a power play with positive results. He is not an overly physical player, but does not back down from contact and plays a solid positional game.

Jones is not projected to be a top defenseman at the NHL level, due mainly to his lack of an abundance of natural talent and intangibles. The Flyers, however, believe that he can eventually crack the team as a low-pairing defenseman, or, at worst, as top Phantoms contributor and call-up candidate.

10. (14) Ben Eager, LW - 21
Career potential: Checking line forward

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

232

+12

-3

There were times during Eager’s rollercoaster rookie season with the Phantoms in 2004-05 where the aggressive young forward showed glimpses of the effective checking line winger/power forward many project him to be. Other times, however, he simply played like, well, a rookie, often struggling to find his assignment and displaying a propensity to take unnecessary chances (and penalties).

This, of course, is all part of the learning process that many up-and-coming players must go through. Overall, Eager showed a lot of promise during his first season in pros, coming to the Phantoms after a fine, four-year junior career with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

He persevered through several rough stretches, but retained a high-quality work ethic and appeared to gain more confidence as the season wore on. Though overzealous at times, Eager did manage to establish himself as a physical force to be reckoned with from the start of the season. He finished third on the team in PIMs, behind team enforcers Riley Cote and Josh Gratton.

With several key members of last season’s Calder Cup-winning Phantoms squad moving up to the Flyers, Eager will be counted upon to step up his game and become a more effective performer, at both ends of the ice.

The Ottawa native should begin to see, at least, spot duty on the team’s scoring lines, and will be given the opportunity earn special teams ice time as well. He will also have to curb his temper and limit taking bad penalties if he hopes to earn the coaching staff’s trust for his usage in late-game/clutch situations.

11. (13) Martin Houle, G – 20
Career potential: Backup goaltender

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team	League	GP	W	L	T	SO	GAA	SP	GP	W	L	SO	GAA	SP
Cape Breton Scr. Eagles	QMJHL	56	26	18	5	6	2.51	.911	4	1	3	0	2.44	.905

At just 5’11, 175 lbs., Houle has been overlooked and second-guessed at every level, every stage of his hockey career. The talented young goaltender has proven his critics wrong at every turn, but questions about his smallish size and concerns regarding the ability of his game to “translate” at the professional level continue to persist.

An extremely rare stand-up netminder in the butterfly-dominated world of the "Q," Houle has worked extensively with goaltending coach (and former NHLer) Vincent Riendeu on his quickness and lateral movement, qualities that have helped him make up for his lack of size and become a more effective netminder.

Houle finally emerged from the shadow of former mentor Marc-Andre Fleury in 2004-05, excelling in his first full season as a starter for Cape Breton and appearing in the QMJHL playoffs for the first time. It is due in main part to his development that the Flyers decided not to offer a pro contract to 2003 draft pick David Tremblay, losing his rights as a result.

It is still unclear as to where Houle will play this season. He currently remains in training camp with the Phantoms, but with top prospect Rejean Beauchemin and veteran Jamie Storr on the AHL team’s roster, is unlikely to stick there. A return to Cape Breton for his overage junior season appears to be likely, though it is still possible that Houle could sign a pro contract and debut with the ECHL’s Trenton Titans this fall.

An answer to this question should come within the next few days.

12. (NR) Steve Downie, RW – 18
Career potential: Checking line forward

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Windsor Spitfires

OHL

179

-5

The Flyers have always put tremendous stock in "character" players. True to form, the team opted to use its first round selection this year (29^th overall) on gritty and ultra-competitive Windsor Spitfires forward Steve Downie. As was the case with Jeff Carter in 2003 (11^th overall), the Flyers picked Downie over a slew of more highly-ranked forward prospects.

In Downie, the Flyers gain a player seemingly cut from the organization's own cloth, a player, perhaps not coincidentally, who partially patterns his game after his mother's all-time favorite player, Bob Clarke himself. Downie is often compared to a young Rick Tocchet because he lacks an abundance of natural talent, but makes up for it with his passion, an aggressive style of play, and a strong nose for the net.

After appearing in 49 games as a rookie with Windsor two seasons ago, Downie enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2004-05. He finished first on Spitfires in assists, third in overall scoring and first in PIMs. Most impressive was Downie’s ability to step up in “big game” situations. He proved to be the driving force in helping the team come all the way back from a three-games-to-none deficit to Carter and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the first round of the OHL playoffs.

For his efforts, Downie was named team season MVP. He will return to Windsor for at least one more season, where he will be counted upon as the "go-to" guy on a team that many experts consider an early favorite to capture the OHL title.

13. (NR) Freddy Meyer, D – 24
Career potential: Depth defenseman

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

+15

+11

It's amazing what an impressive performance in the springtime will do for the stock of a young hockey player. Meyer, who was perhaps the Phantoms' best all-around defenseman during the team's march to the Calder Cup championship earlier this year, has now, in the very least, given his critics reason to take pause and reassess their consensus projection of his ultimate potential.

At 5'10, 190 lbs., questions about the former Boston University standout's size and ability to compete on the NHL stage will surely persist. But no one can question the enormous contributions Meyer has made to the Phantoms' blue line over the past two seasons, along with the fact that his overall value to the Flyers organization has never been higher.

For now, Meyer will continue to serve in his role as blue line leader for the Phantoms, playing in all game situations while being counted upon to provide steady (and timely) offensive production. Along with Randy Jones and veteran John Slaney, however, he will be considered one of the Flyers' top defensive call-up candidates this season, and may yet get the chance to prove that he deserves to play regularly at hockey's highest level.

14. (8) Rosario Ruggeri, D – 21
Career potential: Third-pairing defenseman

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Trenton Titans

ECHL

Philadelphia Phantoms

AHL

-1

–

Originally considered a cinch to make the Phantoms roster out of training camp after signing his first pro contract last summer, Ruggeri fell victim to a numbers crunch (brought on by the NHL lockout) and missed the cut. He would go on to spend the campaign with the Trenton Titans in the ECHL, experiencing a number of ups and downs along the way.

The Titans proved to be a talented, yet tremendously inconsistent team that somehow pulled it all together around playoff time, and wound up winning the league championship. Similarly, Ruggeri had his struggles, battled adjustment issues and worked hard to find his place on the team, but ultimately settled in and played his best hockey down the stretch and throughout the postseason.

The Flyers were impressed with Ruggeri’s resolve, along with his sound, steady and aggressive play during the Titans’ Kelly Cup run, and still feel that he has the ability to play in the NHL. It’s coming a year later than originally expected, but the former Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) captain will get a chance to show what he can do for the Phantoms on a full-time basis this season.

15. (18) Ladislav Scurko, C – 19
Career potential: Checking line center

2004-05 Statistics Regular Season Postseason

Team

League

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Pts.

PIM

+/-

Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL

+24

The most pleasant surprise in the Flyers’ system two seasons ago was the emergence of Stefan Ruzicka, a Slovakian import who opted to continue his junior career in the OHL. Ironically, history repeated itself in 2004-05, after a fellow Slovak, Scurko, left his hometown Spisska Nova Ves program in favor of the WHL.

Scurko was selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the CHL Import Draft, and went on to quickly establish himself as a steady, two-way center for the team. Though he does not boast the natural talent and offensive flair of Ruzicka, Scurko, who was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (170th overall) of the 2003 entry draft, has shown an ability produce.

The 6’1, 198 lb. forward finished fourth on the Thunderbirds and fifth among WHL rookies in scoring. He is not expected to develop into a major point producer at the pro level, but he is very skilled and, with a season of WHL hockey already under his belt, should become one of the prime offensive contributors for Seattle over the next two years.

16. (NR) Rob Bellamy, RW – 20
Career potential: Checking line forward

2004-05 Statistics Vs. Conference Overall

Team

League

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