By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
News started circulating earlier this week following the World Junior Championships that Flyers 2016 first-round pick German Rubtsov may be coming to the Canadian junior leagues where the Flyers would have more control in overseeing his development.
The report, which surfaced on Thursday from Stephane Leroux, a writer on junior hockey in Canada.
Confirmé German Rubtsov va terminer la saison avec les @SagueneensLHJMQ le premier choix des Flyers en 2016 est blessé mais pas serieusement
— Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) January 6, 2017
Rubtsov is in town to be examined after taking a high-stick in Russia’s quarterfinals game on Monday that kept him out for the remainder of the tournament. GM Ron Hextall addressed the rumors on Saturday prior to the Flyers 4-2 win over the Lightning, but couldn’t provide any additional clarity on the situation.
"No, we don’t have an announcement," Hextall said. "He’s only here for our doc."
The situation is complicated. Rubtsov is under contract in the KHL. For that reason, trips for Hextall and assistant GM Chris Pryor to see the 18-year-old are more difficult than going to scout a CHL game. Additionally, the Flyers aren’t permitted to have Rubtsov in attendance at development camp while he’s under contract.
If Rubtsov were to go to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, he would have to have his contract in the KHL terminated and that is something that the Flyers don’t have control over.
"That’s my understanding but I have a lot of understandings of this," Hextall said. "But I don’t have a whole lot of concrete facts. It has nothing to do with the Philadelphia Flyers. This is German’s agent, Chicoutimi and Russia. So we are really just a bystander here."
Rubtsov’s pact in the KHL also prevents them from signing him to an entry-level contract. If he does indeed get the contract terminated, a deal could be done soon enough. This will also give the Flyers more chances to see Rubtsov and see what he can do in an expanded role.
"We would have no issue if he came to North America or if he plays in Chicoutimi. I think that is a good situation," Hextall said. "If not, then as I said at the draft it is fully expected that he will spend two years in Russia. That’s the way we approached it, so either way if he ends up in Chicoutimi than we can see him play more and have our hands on him more."
As of Friday night, Rubtsov was a scratch on Chicoutimi’s roster and had been assigned a uniform number, according to CSN Philly.
