PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - At one time in the Philadelphia Flyers history, having solid defenseman was the norm for the franchise, not the exception. Not since the mid-80's have the Flyers been looking for the type of defenseman who could one day become a Norris Trophy candidate.

Back in the 70's, the Flyers drafted players such as Tom Bladon (72), Larry Goodenough (73), and Behn Wilson (78). In the 80's it was Jeff Chychrun (84), Gord Murphy (85), Kerry Huffman and Murray Baron (86). In the 90's it was Chris Therien (90), Dmitri Yushkevich (91), and Janne Niinimaa (93). So far this decade, the only defenseman who have made any kind of impact on the team would be Dennis Seidenberg (02), and Joni Pitkanen (02).

As you can see from the Flyers' draft record, only the players drafted in the 70's had any major impact on the team. Bladon and Goodenough were both part of the Flyers cup winning teams in the 70's.

Bladon is clearly the best offensive defenseman the Flyers ever drafted scoring scored 75 goals and 171 assists in five seasons during the regular season and the playoffs with the Flyers. Despite Bladon’s success, even he must bow down to Mark Howe and Eric Desjardins when it comes to being one of the Flyers all time leading scorers by a defenseman.

Howe scored 146 goals and 387 assists during his career with the Flyers, while Desjardins scored 107 goals and 340 assists.

Unfortunately for the Flyers, no defensemen in team history has ever won a Norris Trophy. Only former Flyer Paul Coffey has won the Norris, but he won the trophy as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Coffey played in only 94 games for the Flyers.

Things may be getting better in the prospect department for the Flyers these days, but are we looking at a future Norris trophy candidate, or yet another in a list of busts the Flyers have drafted over the years. The Flyers have drafted 14 players as the team’s first pick overall.

In the mean time, here is what we consider to be the top 5 defensive prospects in the Flyers system. (All stats are as of February 14, 2008)

1) Ryan Parent - (NHL/AHL)

Coming over to the Flyers in the Peter Forsberg last season, Parent is being looked upon as a future shut down defenseman. A former member of Team Canada during the World Jr. Championships in 2006 and 2007, Parent was part of Team Canada’s top defensive pairing with New York Rangers prospect Marc Staal.

With very few great defensive prospects in the Flyers system, Parent will be relied upon to be one of if not the best Flyers defenseman for years to come. A stay at home defenseman is not exactly what the Flyers need these days, but fellow Flyers teammate Braydon Coburn was not considered a puck moving defenseman either until the Flyers worked on his skating.

The truth is, skating is not an issue for Parent, who is already a smooth skater. Unless a trade is made to add another puck mover into the Flyers lineup, Parent might be forced into that role in the future.

Outlook - Parent could very well become one of the Flyers top 2 defenseman for the next 10 years. He won’t remind anyone of past Flyers, but people could very well remember Parent for years to come.

2) Oskars Bartulis - (AHL)

Bartulis is one of the few Flyers defensive prospects with an offensive upside. The Latvian native is a solid build at 6' 2", 184 pounds, and is a fluid skater. That is mostly because Bartulis is a converted forward.

Taken in 2005 in the third round, Bartulis spent three seasons in the QMJHL, his last season for Cape Breton where his offensive game became evident scoring 13 goals and 35 assists. So far Bartulis has struggled to have his offensive game converted to the AHL, but his game has been a series of conversions ever since coming over from Latvia. Patience will be the key to his and the Flyers success with him.

Outlook - Because of his size and scoring touch, he could get a crack the Flyers if he can gain the same scoring touch he did at Cape Breton. If that happens, the Flyers could have another potential offensive threat on the blueline for years to come.

3) Michael Ratchuk - (NCAA)

Defenseman rarely get noticed on a team that wins the NCAA championship, which is what Ratchuk did last season, but you can bet that the Flyers noticed his contributions during the tournament.

Still, when you are 5' 11" in a game that is becoming more and more of a big mans game again, getting noticed in the future might become a problem, even if you are drafted in the second round in 2006 the way Ratchuk has. Unfortunately for Ratchuk, he is not blessed with an offensive game. That fact might force Ratchuk, due to his lack of size, to become a converted forward if he is to make a mark at the pro level.

Outlook - Despite the knock on his size, Ratchuk was drafted with the new rules on obstruction in mind. If can make the translation at the minor pro level, taking him at the second round might make the Flyers look good for years to come.

4) Kevin Marshall - (QMJHL)

Only because Ratchuk and Bartulis are older, doesn’t mean that Marshall wont be the better of the three when it is all said and done. Marshall, taken in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, also in the second round, is a solid hitter who has shown a bit of an offensive side as well.

So far Marshall is 16th among defenseman in scoring and tied for 8th in goals scored in the Q for Lewiston. This is so far Marshall’s best offensive season to date, and it is only getting better. If his reputation continues to grow as one of the leagues best hitters, the Flyers could have a two way threat on their hands.

Outlook - Don’t look for Marshall to be ranked 4th on our list next season. You can bet he will most likely be ranked 1st overall providing Parent is playing for the Flyers this same time next season. Marshall is definitely in the Flyers long term plans and for good reason. Look for he and Parent to be a potential partnership for years to come.

5) Nate Guenin - (AHL)

Size and strength is Guenin’s best assets. So far Guenin has turned heads, especially that of current Flyers Head Coach John Stevens. If it were not nearing playoff time and so much at stake, you can bet Guenin would get the call-up to the parent club.

Guenin is a solid hitter along the boards, and is not afraid to drop the gloves. Hit toughness will make it hard for Flyers management to turn him away if the injuries keep piling up on the Flyers blueline.

Outlook - As mentioned, the Flyers love his toughness. If he can continue to improve on his skating he just might make the big club next season, despite being a dark horse to make the team.

Other Notables

R.J. Anderson is in his junior season at the University of Minnesota. A former 4th round pick in 2004, Anderson will most likely make the jump to the pro’s next season. If not, another season of college hockey wouldn’t hurt him while playing for one of college hockey’s best hockey programs.

Chris Zarb, a 6' 4" native of San Diego, Ca, Don’t be surprised if he makes our top 5 next season along with Anderson.

Overall Outlook

While the list of prospects are not earth shattering, they are as solid bunch that very few teams in the NHL have in terms of overall quality.

Well there you have it folks, the Flyers top 5 defensive prospects. Next time, we finish our series of Flyers prospects by taking a look at Flyers top 5 goalies.

Until next time, in the words of the late Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart...

“Good day, and good hockey”

Contact the author at BJennings@Insidehockey.com.