(Kevin Durso/Sports Talk Philly)
By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
With all the hype surrounding Nolan Patrick as the second overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft and the Flyers pair of first-round picks making the roster from the 2015 NHL Draft last season, it's easy for the top pick of the Flyers 2016 Draft class to get lost in the shuffle.
But make no mistake about it, German Rubtsov is just as much a part of the discussion as any forward in the group.
When the Flyers drafted Rubtsov, it was known that his contract situation in Russia would prevent him from participating in development camp and the junior leagues. That all changed midway through last season when Rubtsov's KHL contract was terminated and the forward signed on with Chicoutimi in the QMJHL.
Now playing in North America, Rubtsov has started off strong and could be on a fast track to reaching the professional ranks and the NHL soon enough.
In his first 16 games in the QMJHL, Rubtsov had 22 points, quickly becoming one of the team's must-watch players. Unfortunately, a hand injury forced his season to an early end.
Despite that, when the Flyers annual Development Camp rolled around, Rubtsov looked comfortable and poised in his first exposure to Flyers fans, showing off many of his skills like strong skating and a quick shot.
"Playing in Chicoutimi, I felt comfortable," Rubtsov said. "Every game was a point or point plus, thanks to my partners as well. Before that, I played KHL. I think I’m ready to try the league."
The league being the NHL.
That will come with time and the Flyers opening up even more roster spots like they plan to do for the 2017-18 season.
If nothing else, Rubtsov's move to juniors make it easier for the Flyers to evaluate his performance as he develops, both in terms of travel and equal level of play.
"When you see a kid playing with his peers, it’s a lot different than playing in the KHL," Ron Hextall said. "You saw it a little bit with Ruby. Ruby goes from KHL and all of a sudden, he goes to Chicoutimi with his own age group and you’re like, 'Woah.' We certainly weren’t surprised by that."
Rubtsov knows the significance of the move as well. If he wanted any shot of playing in the NHL, he had to get to North America to adapt to the game. After a few games under his belt, comfort came naturally.
"The moving to the United States was the first thing," Rubtsov said. "In Chicoutimi, the first couple of games were not comfortable. Then everything came to normal. I feel comfortable. Being in the United States before and playing in Canada helped, so I’m feeling pretty comfortable and everything is pretty much good."
Being a versatile player who can play both center and wing and seemingly did everything well in his short stint with Chicoutimi last season and showcased a good overall skillset at Development Camp, the sky is the limit for the 2016 first-round pick who lately has been a forgotten commodity.
But Rubtsov is on the path to the NHL and it may not be as far as you think.
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