By Rob Riches, Sports Talk Philly contributor 
Ron Hextall's grand plan of building through the draft took a slight hit Thursday, as the Flyers lost the rights to one prospect.
Samuel Dove-McFalls, one of their fourth-round selections in 2015 (98th overall), will become a free agent, as the Orange and Black missed their 5 p.m. deadline to sign him. Sports Talk Philly editor Kevin Durso laid out Dove-McFalls' case last week.
In addition to free agency, Dove-McFalls is also eligible to re-enter the NHL Draft, set for later this month in Chicago.
Dove-McFalls, 20, finished his fourth season with the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs, where he posted 17 goals and 53 points in 65 games. He scored five goals and 12 points as the Sea Dogs won the QMJHL's President's Cup, but did not record a point in the Sea Dogs' four-game exit from the Memorial Cup.
Though Dove-McFalls isn't one of the Flyers' more ballyhooed prospects, losing him is still an interesting situation. He's showed an ability to move between the center and wing positions, which is critical with the Flyers' abundance of centermen. Ultimately though, his development wasn't going as expected, and the Flyers' brass responded accordingly. Sure, career-best numbers in his fourth QMJHL season are nice, but as a 20-year-old in the junior ranks, it's to be expected.
With 11 picks in this year's draft (including the No. 2 pick), there are plenty of further opportunities for Hextall and the Flyers to keep stocking the prospect cupboard.
