We're closing in on rounding out the Top 10 forwards available in the 2015 NHL Draft and who could be the possible selections for the Flyers.
So far, you've read profiles on Dylan Strome, Mikko Rantanen, Lawson Crouse, Mathew Barzal and Mitch Marner – and we obviously bypassed the sure-fire Top 2 of Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.
Today, another name at forward enters the bunch. Here's the draft prospect profile for Sarnia forward Pavel Zacha.
The 6'3", 210-pound forward from Czech Republic packs quite a punch, literally.
Zacha is among the most physical players in the draft but also possesses strong offensive skill.
He's got a quick release, one of the best wrist shots in the draft. He's also a strong skater, good passing the puck and superb at stickhandling.
Zacha has a dynamic touch to his game, not quite on the level of McDavid, Strome or Marner, but still present nonetheless and has the ability to play a strong two-way game.
That said, the 18-year-old has a lot of work to do before reaching the NHL.
Zacha missed time in the 2014-15 season due to injury, suspension and being on Czech Republic's World Junior team, where he scored five goals in five games.
During his 37 games with Sarnia in the OHL, he scored 16 goals and added 18 assists for 34 points. There's room for improvement in production, but Zacha has the skill set to be a point-per-game player.
The alarming thing to Zacha's scoring totals is that he hasn't progressed in production the way the rest of the draft class has to this point, which certainly hurts his value.
Zacha also has limited North American play – his 2014-15 season with Sarnia is his only in North America – so his game could use development.
This is what may keep the Flyers away. At seven, Zacha is almost guaranteed to be on the board and with options like Marner, Rantanen and Crouse potentially being there, as well as solid defensive options in Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski, it's hard to see the Flyers choosing a player who seems to have a longer road to the NHL than others.
When you look at the vision of Ron Hextall and new head coach Dave Hakstol, as well as the general makeup of Zacha, he fits too much of the old bill, the rough-and-tumble player who could provide some skill. A first-line winger with skill is crucial for the Flyers, but a better one could be attained at seven without having to wait out the development that Zacha would require.
And given the fact that a lot of defensemen in the Flyers system are waiting in the wings and growing with the system, it's hard to see the Flyers waiting on a forward when one who doesn't require near as long of a wait is readily available.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
