The Flyers were back on the clock moments after taking Carter Hart at 48 with the 52nd overall pick, where they selected right winger Wade Allison.
As was noted by Ron Hextall before the draft, this was going to be a chance to build the forward group in the system and add more prospects at the forwards position to develop.
Get to know the Flyers third second-round pick of the draft in Wade Allison.
The Flyers clearly had a plan coming into the draft, build around strong two-way forwards. Allison was one of the risers at the end of the season, becoming a name to watch as the draft approaches. There was a good chance he could have gone off the board late in the first round or early in the second round. Instead, the Flyers got him at 52.
Allison is the true definition of a power forward. He's 6'2", 205 pounds, strong on the puck and good in battles and can be a real pest in front of the net. He fights to make the play with power moves to drive to the net to open up scoring opportunities.
His skating isn't the best — he's solid but his first steps are a little slow and he isn't going to dazzle in open ice — and his defense could still use work, but this is early for Allison, who heads to Western Michigan for college hockey next year.
That said, this is a gritty player with a foundation set in a 200-foot game, a fit for the Flyers blueprint starting to take shape.
You can watch highlights of Allison below.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
