Philadelphia Flyers: 5 Under the radar preseason players to watch

3. Mark Friedman

Another 2014 draft pick, Mark Friedman was taken one round after Aubé-Kubel in the third. Friedman posted solid numbers for Bowling Green college in the NCAA, where he posted 26 points (8 goals, 18 assists) in his final year for the school.

Friedman also put up solid numbers in his first AHL season last year. He netted 16 points (2 goals, 14 assists) for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season and scored two goals in 13 Calder Cup playoff games.

But scoring isn’t the only thing Friedman brings to the table.

Friedman also shoots the puck left-handed, which is something NHL GM’s covet since most NHL defensemen shoot with their left hand. The Flyers had just one right-handed defenseman on the team last year in Radko Gudas but that number looks to have doubled with the addition of former Los Angeles Kings defender Christian Folin.

Barring any major injuries, Friedman likely won’t make the Flyers’ NHL roster this season but another year in the AHL could be really beneficial for his chances to make the jump to the NHL next year. Friedman provides a little bit of everything with his play and could force Hextall’s hand next season.