INSIDE HOCKEY

PHILADELPHIA, Pa - For a franchise not known for having a long list of quality prospects in their system, James vanRiemsdyk is a key reason why that vision of the Flyers' farm system is changing. One look at vanRiemsdyk during the recent World Junior Championships in Ottawa has Flyers' fans and management encouraged that he will be a future star at left wing in the City of Brotherly Love.

While the lack of overall depth at left wing is still an issue for the Flyers overall, vanRiemsdyk leads the pack. Although some in the Flyers organization think a move to center will be more beneficial down the road, that is to be seen considering the Flyers are solid with Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, and Daniel Briere manning the middle of the ice in south Philly.

Here are our top five left wing Flyers' prospects. (All stats are as of January 3, 2009)

1) James vanRiemsdyk - (NCAA)

Heading into the 2007 NHL Entry draft, the left wing position was clearly the weakest throughout the organization. The Flyers took a turn in the right direction by taking James vanRiemsdyk with the second overall pick, right behind the Blackhawks' Patrick Kane.

vanRiemsdyk is in his second season at the University of New Hampshire, and is tied for fifth overall in scoring in all of college hockey with 26 points (9 goals, 17 assists), this despite playing in only 17 games due to his participation in the World Junior Championships for Team USA. The team recently lost to Slovakia and will not earn a medal, but vanRiemsdyk made his mark on USA’s top line, scoring five goals and four assists, good for second overall on Team USA, and fourth overall in goals.

Outlook - Look for JVR to be on one of the Flyers' top two lines in the future. If Simon Gagne’s health issues continue to grow, he most likely will move up to the Flyers top line.

2) Patrick Maroon - (AHL)

After vanRiemsdyk, there is definite drop-off in talent, but no one better take their collective eyes off of Patrick Maroon who moves up one spot from last years rankings with Kyle Greentree being traded. Maroon turned heads in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) as a rookie scoring 35 goals and 55 assists in 64 games with the London Knights, a team currently owned by the same people who own the Flyers (Comcast-Spectacor).

Drafted in 2007 with JVR in the sixth round, 161st overall, Maroon has not disappointed at the AHL level for the Philadelphia Phantoms, scoring 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 games, good for fourth on the team. A big body at six-four and 225 pounds, Maroon fits the Flyers mold perfectly. Keep your eye on him.

Outlook - The only major issue with Maroon is that the Flyers don’t usually build from the draft, but if the Flyers decide on day that they need to move Scott Hartnell for a solid defenseman, and or for salary cap issues, Maroon could be on the Flyers roster sooner than later.

3) Jonathon Kalinski - (AHL)

Another player rising up the charts is Jonathon Kalinski, who last year didn’t not make our top 5 but did get honorable mention. It’s a good thing we did because Kalinski is currently up with the Flyers on the teams western road trip, and scored his first ever NHL goal.

With the Phantoms Kalinski has three goals and seven assists in 23 games. Before his time in the AHL, Kalinski played college hockey at Minnesota State-University of Mankato and has a scoring touch based on his past statistics having scored between 13-17 goals in three of his past four seasons.

Outlook - A native of Bonneyville, Alberta; Kalinski might make a solid third or fourth liner with his solid overall play. He is turning out to be a sleeper in the organization.

4) Konstantin Rudenko - (KHL)

Unfortunately for the Flyers, this is where the good news ends. The 1999 draft pick is still in Russia playing for Lokomotiv and has six goals and 13 assists in 29 games. Like most Russian prospects, it is a guess if he will ever give it a shot in the US.

5) Konstantin Baranov - (Russia)

Like Rudenko, it is a guess if he will ever come over seas, but the 2002 draft pick (fifth round, 126 overall) is still in Russia playing for HC Dmitrov and has five goals and 14 assists in 33 games.

Other Notables

Josh Beaulieu, Garrett Klotz, and Matt Clackson. It is hard to say who will make the top 5 next season of the three, but Clackson has the speed and grit to make the Flyers fourth line. Beaulieu needs to get back to being the player was playing for London with Maroon. Klotz is built like Maroon but appears to be a bit tougher. Unfortunately for the Flyers he is another fourth liner in the making.