Former Flyers' top prospect signs PTO with a new team
The 35th overall pick is moving on.
HockeyFeed
The St. Louis Blues have announced that they've signed former Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators forward Isaac Ratcliffe to a professional tryout (PTO) contract.
The 24 year old Ratcliffe is a former 2nd round pick (25th overall in 2017) of the Flyers who has played just 10 NHL games, putting up an impressive one goal and four points. His most impressive stat line though pertains to his size at 6'6" and 200 lbs. He's a big boy with the ability to play physically and drop the mitts if needed. He was shipped to the Nashville Predators from the Flyers last season and played out the campaign with the Preds' AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals. In total he put up six goals and 20 points in 57 AHL games last season.
Heading into the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Ratcliffe was seen as a top prospect and was ranked as the 15th best skater by NHL Central Scouting. He ultimately fell out of the 1st round and was scooped up by the Flyers 35th overall and then proceeded to tear up the OHL in his Draft +1 season. Playing alongside now superstar Nick Suzuki with the OHL's Guelph Storm, Ratcliffe put up 50 regular season goals and 30 points in 24 playoff games to capture the OHL championship. It was after this season that Ratcliffe established himself as one of the Flyers' top prospects. Unfortunately though, things just haven't clicked at the pro level for the London, Ontario native.
Never too fleet of foot even at the OHL level, Ratcliffe has struggled to keep up with the pace of the pro game. Even back in 2017, NHL draft expert Corey Pronman had doubts about Ratcliffe's ability to skate at the top level.
"The pace [of the professional game] will be a big test,” wrote Pronman, adding that “quickness is an issue.”
If nothing else, Ratcliffe provides the Blues with some competition in training camp and will help push the team's rookies either at the NHL or the AHL level. Expect him to compete with the likes of veterans like Jake Neighbours, Alexey Toropchenko and Mackenzie MacEachhern at training camp.
