Prospect Report #4, Summer 1999

There has been some shifting since my January report, especially with the addition of new prospects with the June entry draft. The main strength of the system remains its goaltenders. It will be interesting to see how that drama plays out in the next few years. Also, it is interesting to see who and who was not invited to the summer prospect skating camp. Read on for more details. Sometimes I have only put comments on their more recent activities... check out the January Report and the Goalie Report for more details on playing style.

The Top Ten

1.Simon Gagne--C

(6'1, 168 lbs)
1st round, 98
STATS: 1998-99 stats: 50g-70a-120p in 61 GP.
Gagne has no competition for the title of "Top Prospect" in the Flyers system. Indeed, this smooth-skating center from Quebec is one of the best hockey prospects around. If the 1998 draft was replayed, Gagne certainly would not be around at #22. Gagne has a good shot of making the NHL squad this fall, although he and his QMJHL coach, Guy Chouinard, feel he needs more seasoning in juniors. There are certain current contract squabbles. The Flyers have offered Gagne a three year contract at the rookie maximum (975,000) but they are arguing over the bonus. Gagne's team feels he deserves a multimillion dollar bonus, but the Flyers don't want to set a dangerous precedent for late first round draft picks.

2. (tie)Jean Marc Pelletier--G

(6'3, 184 lbs)
2nd round pick, 97
STATS: 47 GP, 2636 min, 2.78 GAA, 25-16-4, .909 save %
JMP started his rookie AHL season with a bang, but his play during the stretch run did not live up to his earlier standards. He was called up to the NHL during the Flyers' losing streak and was shelled by Ottawa 5-0 (although it wasn't really his fault until the end -- talk about being hung out to dry). Still, in the end the battle for no. 1 post-Beezer comes down to him and the guy he's tied with...

2. (tie)Brian Boucher--G

(6'1, 190lbs)
1st round, 95
STATS: 36 GP, 2049 min, 2.61 GAA, 20-8-5, .911 save %
Brian pushed himself back into the thick of the Flyers goaltender prospects with a fine playoff run with the Phantoms in the spring. Towards the end of the season, he won the no. 1 job and the starter's job for the playoffs. Many still prefer JMP. But it looks like Boucher will be the guy in orange and black rather than purple, orange, and black in the fall ... as Beezer's backup. Watch for further developments here.

4.Maxime Ouellet--G

(6'0, 180lbs)
1st round, 99
STATS: 40W-12L-6T, 3 shutouts, 2.70 GAA.
Maxime Ouellet is another butterfly goalie. Some scouts think he has a better upside than both JMP and Boucher. He will play at least 2 more seasons in juniors before turning pro. Because he is farther away from the NHL than both Bouch and JMP, I'm putting him behind them...for now. See my goalie analysis for more details.

5.Jason Beckett--D

(6'3, 205 lbs)
2nd round, 98)
STATS: (final for season), 81 GP, 4G, 27A, 31P, 240 PIM
Playing with Seattle (WHL). Considered the third best prospect at the summer prospect camp, behind Gagne and Ouellet. A defensive defenseman, still at least a year away from the NHL, has been invited to World Jrs. Camp. He could be a #3 or #4 dman at best in the NHL.

6. Mark Eaton--D

(6'2, 205lbs)
Signed as an undrafted free agent, summer 98
STATS: (Through 1/1) 74 GP, 9g-27a-36p, 38 PIM, 6 PPG
Eaton may have a good chance to make the Flyers in September, particularly with the tragic death of Dmitri Tertyshny. It will be a huge jump...from a freshman in college to the NHl in 2 years? I think he still needs more AHL seasoning...but he may be pressed into action early.

7. Mikhail Chernov--D

(6'2, 196 lbs)
4th round, 97
STATS: 56 GP, 4g-3a-7, 98 PIM
A two way defenseman who needs to come along slowly but could be a no.3 or no. 4 defenseman. He has endeared himself to fans and management alike as a big hitter. He may have a shot at the NHL this September, but seems unlikely. Hopefully he will be able to jump back emotionally from witnessing the death of his good friend Tertyshny.

Mikhail is extra cool because we share a birthday (he's a year older).

8. Ryan Bast--D

(height?, weight?)
Signed as undrafted free agent, summer 98. Later traded from Calgary for draft pick(long story)
STATS: (Through 1/1) 73 GP, 0g-12a-12p, 160 PIM
His upside is looking lower and lower. He has not lived up to expectations raised by the fuss over his signing from Calgary. Plays physically, but is prone to defensive mistake. Will probably only be a depth player in the NHL.

9. Andy Delmore--D

(6'1, 192 lbs)
Signed as undrafted free agent, summer 97
STATS: 70 GP, 5g-18a-23p
May get a decent shot at the NHL in training camp. Will never be stellar defensively and his offensive output has been lower than hoped (23 points for a mobile dman...?). He needs to make a statement soon...because there are younger, better dman prospects in the organization.

10.Antero Nittymaki--G

(6'1, 172 lbs)
6th round, 98
I'm giving Nittymaki #10 on a whim. I've heard good things about him and he might play in the World Jrs. for Finland this coming year. Let's see if he, like Hedberg and Berkvist int he past, gets lost in the goalie shuffle...

Names to remember...

Francois Belanger -- may be a 3rd, 4th line type?
Jesse Boulerice -- can he overcome his past?
Jeff Feniak -- 4th round in 99, has reportedly "untapped" offensive potential, has size and will take hits.
Ian Forbes -- will he fill out that 6'6 frame and be able to use that size well?
Paul Healey -- looking like a career minor leaguer
Marko Kauppinen -- will his skill compensate for his lack of size?
Neil Little -- lost in the goalie shuffle.
David Nystrom -- Flyers last pick in 99, maybe a future checking type
Par Styf -- great shot...but too injury prone. Was at the prospect camp..maybe will play in Trenton?
Brian Wesenberg -- could be a decent 3rd line checker.

Here are links to some of my sources. I don't just know this stuff off the top of my head:
Bill Meltzer's "Philly's Phuture" editorials at Mike Barr's Flyers site
Hockeys Future: Hockey 2000

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