Philadelphia Flyers Draft Profile: German Rubtsov

By Patrick Lawson | Jul 19, 2016

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; German Rubtsov poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-two overall draft pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

In the coming weeks, we will take a look at each of the players that the Philadelphia Flyers drafted this year. This week we will look at 1st round selection, German Rubtsov.

German Rubtsov Round: 1 Pick: 22

Ht: 6’1 Wt: 174 lbs

Position: Center

Shoots: Left

Birthplace: Chekhov, Russia

Stats (Click here)

It’s quite comical that the draft pick, picked in honor of late owner Ed Snider, is a Russian. In honor of Ed Snider, the man who told the Soviet super-team of the 70’s to get back on the ice or you won’t get paid, the Philadelphia Flyers picked a Russian.

In fact, German Rubtsov is the first Russian ever picked by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round. So far the Flyers have yet to strike gold in the frozen tundra of Russia, but is that all about to change with their 22nd selection in the first round? Let’s dive right in and find out what kind of player German Rubtsov really is.

“he is arguably the best two-way forward in this draft.”

Rubtsov is a regarded two-way centerman with an extremely high hockey sense. During this year’s NHL Draft, TSN’s Bob McKenzie said this about German Rubtsov, “he is arguably the best two-way forward in this draft.” In fact, he probably would have gone higher in the draft if it weren’t for the Russian meldonium doping scandal.

The scandal found him banned from the U18 World Championships this year. Rubtsov claims that everyone on the team was given a pill by team officials and was instructed to take it. This scandal shouldn’t overshadow his overall play and potential for he does have a chance to be an extremely effective hockey player at the NHL level.

More from Philadelphia Flyers

About every analyst that was covering the draft loved this pick. There are some out there that have lofty comparisons to Russia’s very own Pavel Datsyuk, but others liken him to a Logan Couture type of player. This kid can flat out skate and pass the puck.

After watching a lot of highlights of Rubtsov, I can say that he doesn’t have the set of hands Datsyuk has he has good hands just not Datsyuk hands, but I can see a comparison in his play. If that means anything, it means we are in for quite the treat in a few short years. Hextall has proven to us that he will be patient with his prospects. Many believe that Rubtsov could have played right away in the NHL, but we know for a fact the Hextall won’t do that to him.

Rubtsov has a two-year deal currently with the KHL but is trying to get out of it to play in North America. The most likely scenario for German Rubtsov is that he finishes out his deal with the KHL and comes over to the Philadelphia Flyers to play at least one year with the Phantoms in the AHL.

As I am writing this article I can hear the multitudes of groaning, “Another center, great.” Yes, he is indeed a center, but it’s not that big of an issue because he probably won’t be in an orange and black sweater for the Philadelphia Flyers until 2-3 years from now, max.

Next: Philadelphia Flyers: Five Wings, Please.

Also, when that time comes, your top three centermen are going to be Giroux, Couturier, and Rubtsov. Brayden Schenn pretty much cemented himself as a winger after this season, Laughton hasn’t proved anything so far with the Flyers, and Nick Cousins projects to be a really good bottom-six guy.

Trust me the Flyers are going to be real good real soon, and one of the many names you should look out for is German Rubtsov.

Home/Philadelphia Flyers