Flyers Trade Back To #22, Select Center German Rubtsov
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Flyers were slated to pick at No. 18 in the first round of the NHL Draft, before making the following trade:
The Flyers traded No. 18 and No. 79 to the Jets in exchange for No. 22 and No. 36. At No. 22, the Flyers selected Center German Rubtsov.
Rubtsov, 17, is a Russian born player who stands 6'0" and 190 pounds. He spent the past season with Russia's U-18 team. He racked up 12 goals and 14 assists in 28 games played.
CBSSports.com provided the following analysis of Rubtsov following the selection:
Rubstov is a 28-year-old veteran trapped in a 17-year-old's body. He's mature beyond his years and his hockey IQ is off the charts -- he reads the game, especially the defensive zone, like a seasoned veteran. Rubstov is also an elite skater whose nose for the puck is paralleled only by a Jack Russell after a bone. But he's more than just a piece of coarse-grit sandpaper -- his stickhandling is flat-out delicious and he could probably play keep-away with one hand tied behind his back. Rubstov's versatility could put him on the second line, but he could also be an elite shutdown guy (with offensive chops) or a fourth-line grinder on a super deep squad. He's a little like a skinny Ryan Kesler, at least in terms of his versatility, speed and grit. But his offense will probably settle into the David Backes range. He's currently committed to a KHL contract that runs through 2017-18, so the Flyers will need to do some fancy stepping to get him to North America.
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