The Philadelphia Flyers started off day two of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft with a bang. Chuck Fletcher made a trade to acquire defenseman, Tony DeAngelo, from the Carolina Hurricanes. DeAngelo signed a 2yr/$10mil extension with the Flyers.
Philadelphia began their draft with the selection of Cutter Gauthier at fifth overall. They owned picks in the third-round, fifth-round, sixth-round, and seventh-round after the trade for DeAngelo was finalized. Here are the selections they made:
3rd Round; 69th Overall: Devin Kaplan (RW)
Devin Kaplan is a product of the USNTDP. He’s from Bridgewater, NJ, and is committed to Boston University for the 2022-2023 season. In 53 games with the USDP in 2021-2022, Kaplan scored 38 points (13G, 25A). In 22 games with the USNTDP Juniors (USHL) he scored 18 points (8G, 10A). During the U18 World Championship, Kaplan scored 6 points (1G, 5A) in 6 games.
Kaplan is 6’3″ and 205lbs. He’s a physical winger and likes to dominate play along the boards. Along with his physical presence, Kaplan can also put the puck in the back of the net. He uses his size to battle in the more dangerous areas of the ice.
His skating is a work in progress. Kaplan isn’t the quickest or sharpest on his feet, but his transition game helps make up for some of his weaknesses. Another shortcoming is his shot volume. He uses a wide variety of shots, just not often enough.
He has the potential to develop into a middle-six power-forward with the Philadelphia Flyers. John Tortorella wants the Flyers to be harder, and Kaplan fits the bill.
5th Round; 133rd Overall: Alex Bump (LW)
Alex Bump is a 6’0″ and 194lbs left wing from Prior Lake High School in Minnesota. He also suited up for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL in 2021-2022. Bump played in 31 games with Prior Lake and scored 83 points (48G, 35A). With the Lancers, he played in 27 games and scored 17 points (11G, 6A).
Bump plays an aggressive, physical game. He likes to battle in the corners and can act bigger than his actual size. He dominated during his time in high school and transitioned well to the USHL.
He is a smooth skater and has a quick release shot. Bump knows how to find open ice and create chances for his teammates. He does show inconsistencies in his back-checking and overall defensive play, lacking a two-hundred-foot game, which needs improvement.
His potential identifies as a good bottom-six player with the Philadelphia Flyers after further development. Bump is a commit to the University of Vermont.
6th Round; 165th Overall: Hunter McDonald (LD)
Hunter McDonald is a 6’4″ and 207lbs left-handed defenseman from the Chicago Steel of the USHL. McDonald is a commit to Northeastern University.
McDonald scored 4 points (1G, 3A) in 21 games with the Chicago Steel in 2021-2022. He played in 33 games with the Omaha Lancers before being traded to the Steel. With the Lancers, McDonald scored 10 points (3G, 7A) in 33 games. He has the size to transition well into the NCAA immediately.
He adds larger depth on defense within the prospect system. McDonald is a defensive defenseman who can develop more of an offensive element within his game.
7th Round; 197th Overall: Santeri Sulku (C/W)
Santeri Sulku is a 6’4″ and 194lbs forward from Jokerit in Liiga. Sulku scored 32 points (13G, 19A) in 35 games with the U20 team in 2021-2022.
Sulku is a strong, tall forward with a variety of tools in his game. His wrist shot is hard and accurate, he knows how to read the ice to create space for himself and his teammates, and is a good skater. Sulku sees a lot of time on the powerplay and possesses a two-hundred-foot game.
He can also throw his weight around. He’s no stranger to playing a physical game. With the hiring of Sami Kapanen as a scout, the Flyers have a pipeline to European talent now.
7th Round; 220th Overall: Alexis Gendron (C/RW)
Alexis Gendron is a 5’10” and 174lbs right-winger from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL. Gendron played in 66 games this year and scored 46 points (30G, 16A).
Gendron is a pure goal scorer. He generates power and accuracy from his snapshot and can deliver a wrist shot from the perimeter of the ice. Along with scoring, Gendron knows how to set up his teammates with opportunities.
He creates space with and without the puck, which benefits everyone around him. When carrying the puck, Gendron will always scan the ice in order to make a pass before taking a shot.
Defensively, he isn’t aggressive. Gendron can grab the puck out of the defensive zone and start a rush, but he won’t be throwing his body around to break up plays. Despite that, he’s a sleeper in this draft class.
(Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
