Flyers rookie could be the key to fixing offensive woes

The top six needs some work. Could the youngster be just what the Doctor ordered?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Flyers rookie could be the key to fixing offensive woes
Keystone Press

Despite a thrilling 10 game win streak, the Philadelphia Flyers were ultimately undone by inconsistency and their inability to fill the opposition’s net in 2016-17. The promising defense corps crafted by Ron Hextall is beginning to take shape with youngsters like Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov taking huge steps in the past 12 months. The team’s next generation on offense though is a little less defined.

Travis Konecny and whomever the Flyers select in this summer’s draft, Nolan Patrick or Nico Hirschier, should provide some added offense next season but beyond that the Flyers will be hard pressed to get goals from anyone not named Voracek, Giroux, Simmonds or Schenn. One intriguing prospect however, may hold the key to fixing the Flyers’ problems in the top six.

Twenty year-old Oskar Lindblom, selected by the Flyers in the 5th round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, is expected to make the transition to North America after an incredibly successful season in Sweden’s top professional league. In 52 games with Brynas in the SEL Lindblom put up 22 goals and 47 points. He was a productive scorer in the playoffs as well with four goals and 10 points in 20 games.

The 6’1, 192 lb winger has proven that he has the physical traits to play at the rough and tumble North American style game and his seven points in eight games at the AHL level in 2015-16 hints at some real potential. Admittedly, Lindblom is a bit of a wild card for the Flyers in 2017-18, but he’s an intriguing prospect and you can bet that the team’s management will be paying close attention to the big Swede. 

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