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Wednesday, June 20, 2001
Philadelphia Flyers
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First-round picks: No. 23
2000-01 record: 43-25-11-3, 100 points (7th overall).
What they need
The Flyers lack depth at both the forward and defense positions. In addition, if John LeClair's back doesn't hold up and Mark Recchi can't produce as well as last season, the club will take a step back offensively. Of course, one wild card is the status of Eric Lindros, and what the Flyers could receive for him in a trade.
In the system
The Flyers had just two selections in the first five rounds last summer, but their first pick played in the NHL in 2000-01. Right wing Justin Williams (28th overall) was drafted out of the Ontario League and paid immediate dividends last season. In 63 games, Williams notched 12 goals and 25 points. Philadelphia's second pick (94th overall) last year was another right wing. Alexander Drozdetsky spent last season with St. Petersburg in the Russian League.
On the blueline, the Flyers are counting on two Canadian Junior Hockey League products to make an impact in the near future. Jason Beckett (42nd overall in '98) is a bruising defenseman out of the Western League, while Ian Forbes (51st overall) provided size (6-feet-6) playing in the Ontario League. Between the pipes,. Roman Cechmanek provided an immediate impact after being drafted last year (171st overall). However, if Cechmanek or Brian Boucher falters this season, look for Maxime Ouellet (22nd overall in 1999 out of the Quebec League) to become part of the goaltending equation in Philadelphia.
Recent draft history
The Flyers have used six of their last eight first-round selections on forwards (the exceptions were goaltenders Brian Boucher in '95 and Maxime Ouellet in '99). However, of those forwards, only Simon Gagne and Justin Williams are still with the Flyers. One (Ryan Sittler) never made it to the NHL; two (Peter Forsberg and Mike Ricci) were sent packing in the deal for Eric Lindros and another (Dainius Zubrus) was traded away. The Flyers haven't drafted a defenseman in the first round since 1987, when they selected Darren Rumble. Rumble has appeared in 157 career NHL games, but none since the 1996-97 season.
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