By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
In just two days, the Flyers will make their selection with the second overall pick.
As we’ve reviewed already, the consensus is that the Flyers will get one of Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier. But there are other prospects that could pop up as surprise selections with the Flyers considering all options.
Today, we look at Eden Prairie HS forward Casey Mittelstadt.
This kid is all about offense with pure scoring ability. In high school, Mittelstadt had 21 goals and 43 assists for 64 points in 25 games. Before returning to play for Eden Prairie, Mittelstadt had 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 24 games — a combined total of 34 goals, 60 assists and 94 points in 49 games — with Green Bay in the USHL and was leading the league in scoring at the time of his return to high school.
Mittelstadt is a strong skater, dangerous with the puck with playmaking ability and hockey sense that far exceeds others playing at the high-school level. His shot has some good power behind it, but it is the release that makes him such a potentially dynamic scorer.
Related: Nolan Patrick Prospect Profile
His size bodes well for offensive purposes, but he can struggle in the defensive zone. At 6’0”, 201 pounds, and can use that to create time and space offensively. His compete level is tremendous as he is tenacious on the puck and can easily drive play. He’s also got all-around ability to play several roles in the offensive zone. He knows when to be aggressive and play like a power forward, but also when to use finesse and patience to soften up and be more of a skill player.
There’s certainly work to be done on the defensive end of his game and he’ll need to add additional build to better defend bigger players in the NHL, but with his offensive skillset, he has the potential to be a star scorer in the NHL.
“Mittelstadt is skilled, quick and creative, but above all he is tenacious and a hard worker,” a scout said in Future Considerations Draft Guide. “All in all, Mittelstadt is a constant offensive threat who is able to produce and capitalize on his own scoring chances. Kid has the makings of an NHL star.”
Related: Nico Hischier Prospect Profile
“He did some big time stuff. He’s blowing away from people, anticipating,” a USHL-based NHL scout said for Recrutes Draft Guide. “He creates separation with his speed. He’s the real deal I think. I would take him with a top 5 pick.”
Mittelstadt has drawn comparisons to Alex Wennberg, expected to slot into the top six of a team as a playmaking center.
For the Flyers, this could be the next best thing in terms of a skilled playmaking forward if they don’t get Hischier. That said, the Flyers would also probably be better off selecting Patrick if Hischier goes first because of the experience in Canadian juniors and level of excellence he displayed in his 200-foot game. Mittelstadt is sort of a loose cannon in the sense that while the high-end skill is there, he needs to get more responsible defensively to really be effective at the NHL level.
But from a skill and scoring standpoint, a place where the Flyers certainly have a need, Mittelstadt is a strong young prospect with a very bright future.
You can watch highlights of Casey Mittelstadt below.
