2018 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Joel Farabee (USNTDP)

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NHL draft, we're providing prospect profiles and how those players would fit with the Flyers, who have two first-round picks - Nos. 14 and 19.

The NHL draft takes place June 22-23 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Flyers have nine picks with two in the first, fifth and seventh rounds and one in the second, fourth and sixth. They do not own a third-rounder as it went to the Detroit Red Wings for Petr Mrazek. The 14th pick conveyed from the Brayden Schenn trade. The final details are Schenn to the St. Louis Blues for Jori Lehtera, a 2017 first-round pick (Morgan Frost) and the 14th pick.

Our prospect profiles will touch mostly on prospects projected to go in the 10-20 range but some may require the Flyers having to trade up to select. We'll identify those prospects.

Joel Farabee

Position: Left wing
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 161
Shoots: Left
Team: USA U-18 (NTDP)

Scouting report
Farabee looks to become the third Syracuse, New York, native to be drafted in the first round and the first since Vegas right winger Alex Tuch, who was selected 18th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2014. He closed as the 12th-rated North American skater by NHL Central Scouting, dropping one spot from the midterm rankings. The 6-foot winger scored 15 goals and 40 points in 26 games for Team USA in the USHL in 2017-18, and 76 points in 64 games for the USA U-18 team in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He's known for his speed, shot and two-way game. Produced above a point-per-game clip in both the USHL and NTDP and played on a line with fellow 2018 draft prospect Oliver Wahlstrom and Jack Hughes, who's already projected to be a No. 1 pick contender in 2019.

Below, in a game against Russia in the U-18 Five Nations Tournament, video courtesy of USA Hockey, Farabee circled back and then skated into a prime scoring area as four Russians enclosed on Hughes. As you can see, Farabee took the pass and deposited an easy goal. Russia broke down defensively, but Farabee's awareness to see the play develop before it did and go to where the puck was going to be is what to take away here.

Philadelphia Flyers

Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers and their rivals in the NHL from NBC Sports Philadelphia.

‘I think we've taken a huge step' — Flyers lose wild one in OT as race tightens

Flyers fall to their former goalie prospect as Panthers get payback

Fit with Flyers
The 18-year-old has been a popular mock draft pick to the Flyers, and rightfully so. He's the type of 200-foot prospect that general manager Ron Hextall likes and the Flyers figure to draft at least one forward with their two first-rounders should they decided to keep both picks. He's also a high character kid, serving as captain of the USA U-18 team.

Looking at the Flyers' farm system, they could use some more high-profile wing prospects. Hextall believes in building down the middle - centers, defensemen and goaltenders - and that it's easier for centers to transition to wing. But they could use some legitimate natural wingers in the system and Farabee is a prospect to keep an eye on. He shoots the puck well and often, which is a trait the Flyers certainly could use from their wingers. His speed helps him open up the ice, which is another attribute that the Flyers could benefit from. There are a lot of ingredients to his game that should intrigue the Flyers. If Farabee is still available at No. 14, it's a safe bet that he could have his name called by Hextall.

More on the 2018 NHL draft

History of the 14th overall pick

History of the 19th overall pick

NHL draft position preview: Center

NHL draft position preview: Left wing

NHL draft position preview: Right wing

NHL draft position preview: Defensemen

Copyright CSNPhily
Contact Us