For the second straight year, the Flyers went overseas to select their first-round pick, taking Russian center German Rubtsov with the 22nd overall pick.
Rubtsov was one of the last players we profiled, and we'll take another look at him now that he is the newest Flyer.
Here is a scouting report of the newest Flyer.
Rubtsov is one of the strongest competitors in the draft, sometimes the best player on the ice for the U-18 Russian team at just 17 years old — he turns 18 on Monday.
He is an intelligent player with great two-way ability, the type of player Dave Hakstol would like to have on his roster. He is among the most balanced prospects available and doesn't have any glaring flaws in his game.
He had a small sample size in terms of play with Russia MHL 98 in Russian Juniors, scoring 12 goals and adding 14 assists for 26 points in 28 games. An up-and-coming power forward prospect that has a strong frame — he's 6'2" and 178 pounds — Rubtsov has a combination of skill, smarts and power that make him dangerous on the attack and reliable in the defensive zone.
He seems like a natural-born leader and his versatility make him a strong player to develop into a future power forward on a team starving for one. Rugged, gritty and willing to go to the dirty areas, the Flyers have added one of the hardest workers in the draft, ready to do the little things necessary to win games.
His defensive zone play could still use work and his faceoffs could use improvement.
The biggest issue with Rubtsov was a doping scandal that prevented him and his team from playing at the U-18 World Championships this season, but Ron Hextall did not find that to be an issue.
"Complete package of a two-way forward," writes ISS Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis in the 2016 NHL Draft Guide. "Highly intelligent player with good skills and physical tools. Has good character and work ethic."
"Rubtsov is first-round material, a player with excellent hockey sense and puck skills, who has to work on some areas (physical play, faceoffs, overall defensive play)," Russian scout Alessandro Seren Rosso said to Dennis Schellenberg of The Hockey Writers, "but that has all the tools to become a prolific player even at the NHL level. His smarts will allow him to overcome his small size issues."
"Rubstov is the classic prospect that seemingly comes out of nowhere in his draft year to have an astronomical rise up many draft rankings," Christopher Ralph, The Hockey Writers’ prospect evaluator, wrote. "He had a standout World Jr. A Challenge for Russia with his magician-like hands on display. He’s a skilled and powerful player who makes his teammates better, while being a matchup nightmare for the opposition."
Additionally, here was my take on Rubtsov from earlier this morning, when I listed him as one of the prospects to watch on draft night.
"Like Kieffer Bellows, I don't think Rubtsov gets to enter the conversation (wrong!), but if we're going the best player available route, I'm keeping an eye open to see if he slips. The Flyers really need a winger more than a center, but Rubtsov's versatility could make him work for the Flyers sooner than later and would certainly be a great pick."
You can watch highlights of Rubtsov below.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
