With skills offensively and defensively, #2 Draft pick Nolan Patrick has the tools to be a NHL star.
Courtesy: NBC Philadelphia
The NHL Draft was held in Chicago this past Friday and the Philadelphia Flyers were sitting in the luxurious #2 spot. With that pick Philly drafted Nolan Patrick from the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Patrick was projected to go to New Jersey at #1, but the Devils took Nico Hischier instead.
Patrick will be reunited in Philadelphia with former Brandon teammate, Ivan Provorov.
A prolific scorer, Patrick posted 205 points in three seasons with Brandon. Standing at 6’2 and 200 lbs., the 18-year old center has good size and speed. He also has the ability to get around defensemen and create breakaway chances.
133 of Patrick’s points were from assists, which shows Patrick is able to find the open man and create scoring chances. That’s exactly what Philadelphia needs.
Getting the puck off his stick is one of Patrick’s prime talents. That’s a big reason why he tallied 61 assists in the 2015-16 season, 17 of those in those playoffs. The scouting report on NHL.com called him “very smooth and composed with the puck.”
But Patrick is not just offensive-minded. That same scouting report said he’s “competitive and willing to engage one- on-one and stand up for himself and teammates.” He creates turnovers, is able to contain players, and can cause mistakes.
When asked who Patrick is like in the NHL, TSN analyst Craig Button said he sees Stanley Cup champion, Eric Staal. Staal is known for his great hands, natural goal scoring, and the ability to fend off defensemen.
Nolan Patrick is an instant hit with Flyers fans. But let’s hope his story in Philadelphia doesn’t end like the last one. The last time the Flyers had a #2 pick (James Van Riemsdyk in 2007), they eventually sent him to Toronto for Luke Schenn. Hopefully this pick won’t travel that route.
