ShayneGostisbehere

This week, we will take a look at the four top defensive prospects in the Philadelphia Flyers system.

Currently, the Flyers biggest shortfall is on the blueline. These four young men, labeled as the Core Four, are the Calvary-in-waiting for a club and fan base that has not seen a Stanley Cup Championship in almost 40 years. Below, each defenseman will be reviewed in order of his draft year and status.

78^th pick overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft

"Gots-to-be-here", as he has been affectionately labeled by Flyers owner Ed Snider, is entering his first full professional season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League. Perhaps the defensive prospect Flyers fans are most excited about, Gostisbehere had a successful three-year stint at Union College where he posted 22 goals, 60 assists and was a plus-70 in 119 games played. He capped off his college career with a NCAA National Championship win over top-seeded Minnesota and took home MVP honors after depositing a goal, two assists and a plus-seven (PLUS-SEVEN!) rating in the title game. Gostisbehere, who was an assistant captain in his junior year, decided to sign his entry-level deal with the Flyers instead of returning for his senior season with the Dutchmen. He was immediately assigned to the Phantoms (then from Adirondack) and was scoreless in two games to end the season.

Gostisbehere began the 2014-15 campaign with an impressive prospect camp that led to a long look during training camp. In fact, along with Samuel Morin, Ghost (as he is nicknamed) was one of the last cuts in camp. Aside from swift skating, a strong point shot and above-average confidence, Gostisbehere demonstrated that he can be the north-to-south, offensive threat that the Flyers have been coveting from their blueliners. He may be small but he has sensational speed which benefits him positionally, especially when joining the rush. If you are a car aficionado, consider Gostisbehere a Ferrari. Despite an impressive showing in the NHL exhibition season, Flyers General Manager Ron Hextall decided that Ghost needed seasoning in the American League, where he has posted two assists and a minus-1 rating in 3 tilts.

Depending on the need and situation, it is not beyond the realm of possibility for Gostisbehere to make his NHL debut this season. He has the skill set and leadership (was also captain of South Kent Prep before entering college) to get the job done at the highest level after some seasoning in the minors.

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Gostisbehere preaseason goal vs. New Jersey Devils:

Dobber Prospect Rank: 30^th best defenseman, 3^rd overall Flyers prospect

Fantasy Outlook: B+

Pros: speed, power, positional play, leadership

Cons: size, experience

Anticipated NHL Arrival: 1-2 years

SAMUEL MORIN</a>   <div style="margin: 20px 0px; width: 100%; min-height 50px; background-color: lightgray;"> 📢 advertisement: <div id="snack-incontent-2"></div> </div> 11th pick overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft   <div id="imageright"><script type="text/javascript"src="http://ap.lijit.com///www/delivery/fpi.js?z=198568&u=dobbersports&width=300&height=250″></script></div>  Coming off of a disappointing, lockout-shortened season in which they failed to reach the postseason, the Flyers highlighted the need to replenish their defensive weapons as it was becoming apparent that the position was the Achilles heel of the team. With the 11th overall pick, the Flyers targeted one guy from the get-go, and that was Samuel Morin. Morin, who has drawn comparisons to former Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger, is a big, bruising defenseman that is the perfect compliment to an offensive minded partner. Lurking at 6'7" and 225 pounds, Morin is not afraid to drop the mitts and get physical in the corners and along the boards. While he continues to improve his already howitzer of a shot (see: broken glass during prospect camp), Morin knows that his bread and butter is that of a quick yet steady stay-at-home defenseman. At 19 years of age, Morin has 3-plus years of experience in the QMJHL playing for the Rimouski Oceanic (Yes, the same Oceanic team that Flyers rival Sidney Crosby played for). To date, Morin has played in 167 contests for Rimouski and has registered 11 tallies, 47 helpers and is a plus-18 with 299 minutes in penalties. Morin's point total and overall game has steadily improved each season and much of the credit for the 2013-14 season goes to the current Director of Player Development Kjell Samuelsson, who visited with him regularly and helped teach him to be a smarter player. Morin has also taken a leadership position with Rimouski as he was named an assistant captain after being returned by the Flyers after his rookie prospect and training camp.   In 2013-14, Morin got his feet wet in exhibition play with the Flyers and inked his entry-level contract with the club before returning to the "Q". Poised to make some noise in 2014-15, Morin exploded out of the gate in prospect camp and the momentum carried over into the main training camp as well where he was the last major prospect to be sent back to his junior club. In truth, the Flyers brass debated long and hard as to whether or not Morin would get a nine-game tryout with the club since they would not have to burn the first year of his deal. Ron Hextall's desire for experience and growing prospects from the ground up ultimately decided Morin's fate for the current season as he is no longer eligible to play in the NHL. His team-first attitude and yearning to improve were evident as he asked Hextall how quickly he could get back to Rimouski and play after finding out he had been cut. Flyers Head Coach Craig Berube even admitted that Morin had a fantastic camp and did everything he needed to do to make the team. Upon his return to the Oceanic, Morin had three assists in five games before fracturing his jaw in early October, an injury that will see him sidelined for no less than a month.   Morin has all the tools necessary to be a staple on the Flyers blueline for many seasons to come. He has the size, skill and overall brute force that epitomizes a broad street bully. How he plays after his injury as well as his likely performance in the WJC may determine just where he stands in terms of being able to crack the NHL roster.   Morin fight in Rookie Game (0:18)   <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xWTL1Pc7FEk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Dobber Prospect Rank: 4^th overall Flyers prospect

Fantasy Outlook: B+

Pros: size, power, vision, toughness, leadership

Cons: unnecessary penalties

Anticipated NHL Arrival: 1 year

ROBERT HAGG</a>   41st overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft   Sticking with the defensive theme, the Flyers used their second round pick in 2013 to select Robert Hagg from Sweden where he had been playing for MODO and was a staple on Sweden's U16 through U20 teams. Perhaps not as well-known as Shayne Gostisbehere and Samuel Morin, it certainly is not from a lack of skill. Hagg is considered a true two-way defenseman and provides value on both special teams units. Hagg can join the rush much like Gostisbehere and can also stay at home like Morin. His value comes in the form of "smart minutes" played, which is highlighted by a strong hockey IQ and the knowledge of what defensive scheme is needed. After posting seven points in 77 SHL contests and taking on a leadership role with Sweden's U18 team, Hagg was brought to the states and assigned to the Phantoms, the Flyers AHL affiliate. In 2013-14, he posted one goal and three assists in 10 games and was a plus-one.   Hagg is high on the organizational depth chart and it was apparent during prospect and training camp in 2014-15. True to his word, General Manager Ron Hextall was intent on sending top prospects to the minors or juniors in order to get more seasoning and become familiar with the high intensity of the NHL. For Hagg,, it is also an opportunity to get used to the difference in rink size between Europe and North America. Thus far, Hagg has two assists and is a plus-one in three games for the Phantoms. Phantoms head coach Terry Murray has been impressed with Hagg and is using him in all aspects of the game. He is continuing to improve his release and stickhandling and seems comfortable playing top-four minutes on a consistent basis at this level.   Hagg is one of a handful of prospects that could see time in the NHL this season if the need were to arise. Like Shayne Gostisbehere who is also suiting up for Lehigh Valley this season, Hagg is using his time in the AHL to prepare for what figures to be a long career on the Flyers back end.   Hagg snapshot goal vs. Finland:   <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/af0-UlD2bCI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Dobber Prospect Rank: 5^th overall Flyers prospect

Fantasy Outlook: B+

Pros: two-way defenseman, decisive, plays on PP and PK, heavy minutes, hockey sense

Cons: adjustment to North American rinks, consistency

Anticipated NHL Arrival: 1-2 years

TRAVIS SANHEIM</a> 17th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft   Entering the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers appeared as though they would be taking the best available player on the board unless they could trade up specifically to select a player such as Aaron Ekblad, Sam Reinhart or Sam Bennett. When efforts to move up fell through, many fans began to then wonder what players would be around at the 17th pick. Some thought Hextall and Co. would go for hometown boy Anthony DeAngelo, a defenseman from the Sarnia Sting. Others thought the Flyers would opt for offense and select KalPa forward Kasperi Kapanen, the son of former Flyer and fan favorite Sami Kapanen. What the masses did not know is that there was one particular player that had rocketed up draft boards after a strong second half of the year and an eye-opening showing in the WJC playing for the Canadian U18 team. Travis Sanheim was bestowed with an honor that none of the other Core Four members could claim to own: to be drafted to the team whose city was hosting the event. The night was magical for Sanheim and was well deserved after his ascension through the ranks. In his first season for the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League, Sanheim recorded five goals, 24 assists and was a plus-25 in 67 games.   Sanheim entered prospect and training camp this season as the low man on the defensive organizational depth chart. By the time the two camps were over, Sanheim had the fans and management wondering if he could be closer to the big time than was originally thought. At times during camp, he was the best defensemen on the ice. His poise and fluidity on skates equated to that of a seasoned veteran. He proved to be a mobile defenseman by consistently joining the rush yet never being out of position while retreating to the neutral and defensive zones. In an expected move, Sanheim was sent back to Calgary after a few exhibition games but not before inking his entry-level deal on his way out of the building. After arriving back in Calgary, Sanheim has been on a tear for the Hitmen registering three goals, four assists and a plus-eight rating in seven games. His confidence right now is undeniable and he continues to improve every aspect of his game. When trying to compare him to a current NHL'er, Ryan McDonagh comes to mind as has also been mentioned by former NHL General Manager and current analyst Craig Button.   The sky is the limit for Sanheim who has upside galore. While his development will likely take the longest of the Core Four, he will be expected to join the other members on the Flyers blueline for many years to come.   Sanheim scores two against Regina:   <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EcKdok1JTnk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Dobber Prospect Rank: 9^th overall Flyers prospect

Fantasy Outlook: B-

Pros: big man at 6'4", poise, strong first pass, mobile, smart player in own end

Cons: experience

Anticipated NHL Arrival: 3-4 years

For such a storied NHL franchise, the Flyers have struggled to groom their own defensemen and have paid the price as a result. In fact, the last Flyers homegrown defenseman was none other than Chris Therien. The Core Four seem poised to end the drought.

Zach Hopkins has been a Flyers prospect scout for Dobberprospects since 2014. You can follow him on twitter @healedbyhockey