The Philadelphia Flyers top prospects are off to a fast start for their AHL affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Nick Cousins, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, and Scott Laughton have combined for 12 points through three games this season for the Phantoms. The top two offensive threats on the Phantoms this season are Nick Cousins and Scott Laughton.
Cousins, a third round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has been able to collect four points quickly this season. Thanks to three assists and a lone goal, Cousins is tied for the team lead in points. In his second season with the Phantoms, Cousins is off to a much better start this season than he did last year. The then AHL rookie, got off to a rough start and never really recovered only tallying 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 74 games.
If history proves to repeat itself, Cousins is in store for a big season for the Phantoms. In his rookie season of major-junior hockey, Cousins struggled with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds only putting up 32 points in 67 games thanks to 11 goals and 21 assists. The following season, Cousins got on track as he put up a point per game, with 68 points in 68 games including 29 goals. In his third season, those numbers would escalate to 88 points in 65 games. Finally, in his fourth season, Cousins proved he was ready for the next level as he collected an astounding 103 points over the course of 64 games.
As long as Cousins continues to add weight and strength to his 5-foot-11 frame, he should be able to be a second or third line center at the NHL level with 20+ goal potential.
Scott Laughton, drafted by the Flyers with the 20th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft was better known for his defensive skill set rather than his offensive skill set. However, it’s the 20-year old’s offense that has already allowed him to claim an AHL Player of the Week Award.
Coming off a 40 goal season, last year for the Oshawa Generals, Laughton has the ability to be a 20-25 goal scorer in the NHL. His four goals in three games has shown his ability to be effective in any situation, with two goals coming on the power play, one coming while the Phantoms were shorthanded and one on even strength. Two of his goals even tied up a game between the Phantoms and Adirondack Flames last Saturday, when the Phantoms were down 2-0, Laughton was able to score two goals tying the game before the Phantoms dropped it 4-2.
At the next level, Laughton appears to be a second or third line center due to his defensive skill set which his offensive skill set compliments. Heralded for being a hard worker, he compares well to former Philadelphia Flyer, Mike Richards.
While the two offensive threats of Nick Cousins and Scott Laughton have combined for eight of the twelve points, the defensemen have also enjoyed getting in on the scoring.
Shayne Gostisbehere, a former NCAA Frozen Four champion and MVP was praised throughout his collegiate career, for his skating ability and offensive capabilities as a defenseman. Through three games, the AHL rookie has two points for the Phantoms, both coming off assists. The skill set is there for “Ghost”, who put up 22 goals and 60 assists in his 119 career games at Union College.
Gostisbehere, at the NHL is projected to be a top defenseman for the Flyers. When asked about his first thoughts on Gostisbehere, Phantoms head coach Terry Murray compared the 20-year old’s style of play with Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey and Al Iafrate. In short, Gostisbehere could have the potential to be a game-changing offensive threat as a defenseman while also having a great defensive skill set. Now is he a future hall of famer? Chances are probably not but only the future will tell for this talented prospect.
The Swedish born Robert Hagg is quite the defenseman himself. After playing the last two seasons in Sweden with MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik, the 19-year old decided to come over and play in the AHL. As the youngest player on Phantoms, Hagg has the most time to develop. Through three games, it seems he’s doing well for himself, as he’s also collected two points this season off assists.
After playing 10 games for the Phantoms last season, Hagg has collected six points over the total of 16 games the past two seasons. While playing for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik in 2013, Hagg was only able to generate six points over the course of 50 games. At the next level, he projects as a first or second defensive pairing defenseman. Once he is able to have complete confidence in his game, the sky is the limit for the 19-year old Swede.
Through three games this season, the Flyers top four prospects have collected 12 points on five goals and seven assists. The 12 points have accounted for 70 percent of the team’s 17 points. The Flyers future stars are playing extremely well early on for the Phantoms and are a main reason Lehigh Valley is off to a 2-1 start. This is the start that Ron Hextall and Terry Murray wanted.
Can these future Flyers continue their hot play? We’ll find out fairly soon when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (2-1-0 , 4 pts) take on the Hershey Bears (3-1-0 , 6 pts) at the PPL Center in Allentown on Friday.
[Photo: JUSTSPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY]Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
