Will the Flyers Draft a Goaltender?

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft will begin on Friday and the Flyers unlike last year pick late in the first round. The Fly guys seem to have a nice young group of forwards and defensemen who may be ready to contribute in years to come. One glaring weakness in the Flyers farm system is goaltending. During last year it was clear that if Martin Biron or Antero Nittymaki would have been injured for a long period of time, more then likely the Flyers would have had to make a move for a goaltender. As there was not a reliable option in the AHL. So, logically the Flyers I believe will look for a goaltender at pick 27 in the first round. There are a couple solid options that hopefully will be available.




Chet Pickard- Goaltender
Tri-City Americans(CHL)


Height- 6-2


Weight- 210lbs


Hometown- Winnipeg, Manitoba

Pickard is a butterfly style goaltender who has greatly improved in every facet of goaltending in the past few seasons. Pickard plays for the Tri-City Americans of the CHL, where he had the unenviable task of replacing Carey Price, now the goaltender for the Montreal Canadians. In 64 games for the Americans he posted a 46-12-2 record and was named CHL goaltender of the year. Recently Pickard's stock has skyrocketed and for him to fall to the Flyers at 27 might be a stretch.

Jacob Markstrom- Goaltender
Brynas(Swedish Jr.)

Height- 6-3


Weight- 178


Hometown- Gavle, Sweden


Another butterfly style goaltender, Markstrom is tall but not that big, however his technique more then makes up for his lack of size. Markstrom has great post to post ability, he cuts down angles well and almost always takes away the bottom part of the net , especially in close, hence a butterfly goaltender.



Tom McCollum- Goaltender
Guelph Storm (OHL)

Height- 6-2

Weight- 208lbs


Hometown- Sanborn, NY




McCollum is not nearly as athletic as Markstom or Pickard and not nearly as highly touted. However, McCollum has proven that he can be a good goaltender if given the time. He’s a big guy in net and does an excellent job at cutting down angles and his positioning on shots has improved. The possiblity of McCollum being there at 27 maybe higher then either Pickard or Markstrom.




Mike Santa Barbara