In 2012, the Flyers drafted Shayne Gostisbehere in the third round of the NHL Draft. In 2014, when the Flyers held the 17th overall pick, they took Travis Sanheim.
Both defensemen will be linked to our next prospect looking for a home in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Let's try to set the stage: this defenseman has high potential, his style compares to Gostisbehere and he's served as Sanheim's defensive partner in the WHL.
Our series on prospects continues with defenseman Jake Bean.
Bean, who just turned 18 on June 9, lacks the size of most defensemen in the NHL, just 5'11" and 173 pounds, but he makes up for it in everything else.
Bean played for the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL and scored 24 goals and added 40 assists for 64 points in 68 games. To put that in perspective, Bean's defensive partner, Sanheim, scored 15 goals and added 53 assists for 68 points in 52 games. In his four games at the AHL level, Sanheim scored a goal and added two assists.
Imagine a blue line featuring the chemistry and skill of these two teammates at the pro level.
Here's the breakdown on Bean. Very quickly, you'll notice the similarities to Gostisbehere. He's an excellent skater and very mobile in moving the puck. He knows how to use his mobility in all zones, from walking into the play from the point in the attacking zone to being able to read plays in the defensive zone.
Bean's offensive skills combine excellent vision with a strong shot and when on the attack, he has the ability to make something happen with the puck at any moment. Again, the mobility comes into play, as he often works defenders to get into high-scoring areas.
Sound like a player you know, who just happens to wear the Orange and Black?
Much like his teammate Travis Sanheim, Bean does need a lot of development. He has some lapses in defensive zone play and can get beat up around the net due to his small size and struggles to play as physical as other bigger forwards and defensemen. But being one year younger than Sanheim, Bean has another year or two in Calgary ahead of him before making the jump to the pro level and probably molding in the AHL before making the jump.
Still, with so much raw talent and poise there, Bean has all the makings of a top-pairing defenseman that just needs a little time to grow. For teams in the middle of round one, like the Flyers, looking for a future focal point on the blue line, it's hard to pass up the potential even if the timeline to completion requires patience.
"An elite skating defender whose upside is not far off from the top defenders in the 2016 class," writes ISS Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis in the 2016 ISS NHL Draft Guide, "however his defensive zone play needs improvement."
"Smooth and effective stride, very good on his edges," writes ISS scout Dylan Franson. "Showed exceptional puck movement and vision, passes are almost always on target. Sees the ice well, has the ability to slow the game down when he has the puck."
"Good puck mover who can also jump into the rush at opportune times," writes ISS scout Ted Barrie. "Distributes the puck well on the power play when shooting lanes are blocked and looks for back door opportunities."
You can watch some of Bean's highlights, and some of Sanheim's too — Bean is No. 2, Sanheim is No. 32 — below.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
