By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
When the Flyers drafted Nolan Patrick with the second overall pick, the assumption, from hockey experts to fans and beyond, was that he would be in the Orange and Black come October.
But as is the case with Flyers GM Ron Hextall, don't assume anything until it's set in stone.
Hextall stood by his usual stance this week as he stated the likelihood of Patrick or any other prospect making the Flyers roster.
"We are not going to force him into our lineup. We’re not going to force any of these kids to be in our lineup," Hextall said to Sam Carchidi of Philly.com. "We certainly feel that of the group that has a chance to make our team, we’re comfortable enough that we can fill our team with those kids rather than the free-agent market. But they’ve got to earn it."
One question surrounding Patrick was his health. Just 10 days prior to the draft, he had surgery to repair a misdiagnosed sports hernia. Hextall assured that the 18-year-old, who turns 19 on Sept. 19, is fully healthy and ready for rookie camp, which begins on Monday, Sept. 11.
"He’s cleared and he’s good to go," Hextall said. "He’ll come in when all the rookies come in."
While a good portion of the rookies and even a few veterans are already skating in Voorhees, Patrick is not yet in attendance due to an obligation with the Brandon Wheat Kings' junior camp.
For Patrick, that journey to the NHL begins soon enough. Flyers rookie camp is less than two weeks away. The veterans will take the ice for the first time in Flyers camp on Friday, Sept. 15. Two days later, the team is on the ice for their first preseason game against the Islanders.
