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Philadelphia Flyers: What to do with the 12th overall pick?

By Amedeo Guglielmelli

Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Samuel Morin poses for a photo with team officials after being introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Samuel Morin poses for a photo with team officials after being introduced as the number eleven overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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With uncertainty heading into the offseason, Ron Hextall must decide if he is willing to start over with his underwhelming Philadelphia Flyers’ roster.

Unfortunately, our lovely orange and black will not be participating in this year’s playoffs. luckily though, it gives the Philadelphia Flyers‘ general manager Ron Hextall extra time to figure out what to do with his talentless roster.

What Hexy has working against him this offseason is the lack of talent in the barren wasteland of free agency this year. The draft itself isn’t as deep as some may believe. There is chatter that Nolan Patrick will go off the board at number one, but our Philadelphia Flyers pick at twelve.

Before I highlight who I expect the Flyers pick at number twelve, I want you all to realize two things:

  1. I’m judging the prospect from his U18, IIHF, and the recent World Cup.
  2. I’m human. If you don’t agree with me, politely leave a comment or respond on Twitter.

Name: Miro Heiskanen

Size: 6’1″, 174lbs.

Position: Defenseman (Hifk Helsinki, Finland)

  • Passing:  5/5
  • Shooting:  4/5
  • Defense:  4/5
  • Skating:  5/5
  • Poise:  5/5

Miro Heiskanen is a very energetic and intelligent defenseman. There is no doubt that he possess uncanny offensive abilities. His ability to pull the defense towards himself and find the open man is nearly unmatchable by his defensive peers in this year’s draft.

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His mobility and poise are well beyond his years as well. His speed is well needed among the current Flyers blueliners. Granted, he will not set records for his speed, but he will limit odd man rushes by being able to get back.

He may never quarterback a powerplay in Philly with Provorov and Ghost running the show, but Miro is almost as cool as the ice he skates on. During the IIHF tournament, he established his calmness on the powerplay and coming away with key takeaways when Finland needed it most.

What bothers me about Miro is his decision to shoot and where from. Don’t let me dissuade you though, he has a very nice release. His shot positioning is questionable though.

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Now, you may think I’m nitpicking with his defensive deficiencies, but hear me out. He is otherworldly with his stick that he can use to poke and lift the puck away from most. Where he struggles though is his ability to be aggressive. There were many times in the U18 and IIHF games where he shied away from delivering checks. Weighing in at 174 pounds doesn’t make him very intimidating, but if he can bulk up to 200 pounds of muscle he will see improvements along the boards, in front of the net, and his slap shot.

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