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Philadelphia Flyers sign fifth round pick to entry level contract

By Patrick Lawson

Sep 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Sweden left winger Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his first period goal against Team North America with teammates during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Sweden left winger Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates his first period goal against Team North America with teammates during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Tuesday afternoon, Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall announced that the club has signed 5th-round pick Oskar Lindblom to an entry level contract.

Finally, The Rock has come back home! Ok, he may not be the Rock and he may not be coming home, but you get the point. (And if you aren’t a wrestling fan that joke totally flew over your head.)

It is official, Forward Oskar Lindblom is a Philadelphia Flyer.  After being selected by the Flyers in the fifth round of the 2014 NHL draft, Lindblom played for three years in Sweden’s top hockey league the SHL.

This past season was a coming out party for the young Swede. He lead the league in goals with 22 and was 4th in points with 47. If you want a more on an in-depth look at what Lindblom brings to the table as a player, click here to read.

As for his role with the Philadelphia Flyers we will wait and see, however, they do like Lindblom. They liked him enough to grant him an entry level contract. Since the Philadelphia Flyers are lacking talent on the wings, it isn’t crazy to see Lindblom starting next year.

Lindbloom has grown exponentially since being selected in 2014 and the Flyers need wingers. An injection of youth could do wonders for this roster that has regressed this year. Along with Lindblom, the number two pick this year, and many younger guys coming from the minors, this Philadelphia Flyers club will get young fast.

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The game is getting quicker and quicker each year and with youth, there is usually speed. Speed and creativity is something that the Flyers lack on the wings apart from their top guys. Matt Read, Dale Weise, Chris VandeVelde, Michael Raffl, Roman Lyubimov, had a combined goal total of 36 this past season.

For a little perspective, Wayne Simmonds had 31 goals last year. To be successful in the NHL you need to have a deep lineup. Not just deep by number of players you have but deep with talent. Teams deep with talent usually grow their own and do not go out and sign players just to sign them. Oskar Lindblom is an example of GM Ron Hextall trying to grow their own talented depth.

Next: What to do with the Number 2 Pick?

Lindblom still needs to win a job out of training camp, but with a lack of competition at his position the job is his to lose.

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