3 players the Flyers might take with the seventh pick

For a hockey player, it's the playoffs.

For a general manager, it might be the trade deadline.

For Chris Pryor, the Flyers' director of scouting, now is the time of his season when things get really interesting.

He and the team's amateur scouting staff are in Buffalo for the NHL's scouting combine, although this is hardly the start of their work. Rather, Pryor says it's a chance to "tie up some loose ends."

Somewhere in the group of prospects taking part in physical testing and interviews with NHL teams is the player the Flyers will take with the seventh-overall pick and the team has more than likely already spoken with him.

As it stands, the Flyers own their highest pick since 2007 when they drafted James van Riemsdyk, and either the 29th or 30th pick depending on whether the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup or not.

"We've had this pick for a little longer and we've done some prep work," Pryor said in a conference call from Buffalo.

"Yeah, it's a little different, but it gives us a chance to gather more information."

This month's draft, featuring Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, is deep. It's been compared — and Pryor says rightfully so — to the 2003 draft that turned out players like Marc-Andre Fleury (1), Ryan Suter (7), Braydon Coburn (8) and Corey Perry (28). It's the same draft the Flyers selected Jeff Carter 11th overall and Mike Richards at 24.

"After two (presumed to be Eichel), the group from three back is pretty close right now," Pryor said of the Class of 2015. "We're gonna spend a lot of time on that and do our due diligence because it is such a deep group from three to, if you want to go back, 10, 12. It's an interesting group. We're gonna spend a lot of time on that between the combine and the draft."

The Flyers think they'll also get a great player with the Lightning's pick, which they acquired in the Coburn trade. Before getting to that tier of players, here's a look at three players they might select with the seventh-overall pick.

Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

6-foot, 201 lbs.

Born: Jan. 13, 1997

This season: 15 goals, 46 assists — 61 points

The skinny: Another defenseman?! Yeah, Provorov is good enough that the Flyers may not be able to say no to another defense prospect in the first round, which would make it three straight seasons.

"We've talked to the kid as we have a lot of those kids with that group already," Pryor said. "He's a quality young man. You gotta give it to him. He's been over here (in North America) a few years already. He's acclimated with the North American game, with the language. He's adjusted really well. His adjustment he's made off the ice, from the language to the North American way of life translates to on the ice. He's a quality young man. He's a quality player."

The Russian-born Provorov is thought by many to be capable of playing in the NHL next season, but the Flyers won't rush him. He'd likely go back to juniors even though his skills are something the Flyers could use immediately.

"He's very composed with the puck, has excellent vision and knows where everybody is on the ice," said John Williams of the NHL's central scouting. "He has good hockey IQ and takes advantage when he sees an opening both offensively and defensively. He will play a physical game and can separate the man from the puck."

Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

6-foot-4, 215 lbs.

Age: June 23, 1997

This season: 29 goals, 22 assists — 56 points

The skinny: The Flyers have next to no depth at left wing in the pipeline, but again, they don't draft purely based on immediate need because they want their prospects to develop rather than be forced to make an immediate impact at the NHL level.

Crouse is an interesting prospect because of his size and mobility. He's drawn comparisons to Washington's Tom Wilson, but Wilson was fourth in the league in penalty minutes this season and the Flyers think Crouse has the ability to be more skilled than that.

"He's a big-bodied guy, protects the puck and is solid on his skates," said Chris Edwards of the NHL's central scouting. "He can see the ice and barrels through everyone. He's got good hands to go along with that big body."

Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (Finland)

6-foot-4, 211 lbs.

Age: October 29, 1996

This season: 9 goals, 19 assists — 28 points

The skinny: The left-handed Rantanen likes to play the off-wing, which Pryor says is especially common with the European prospects, but he can play the left side also.

As an older player in the draft yet younger considering the league he usually plays in, Rantanen has been on the Flyers' radar for a while. Since he'd be coming over from Europe, Rantanen would be allowed to join the American Hockey League earlier than the players coming from Canadian juniors.

"He's a physically strong power forward with very good playmaking abilities, smart, active and involved on every shift," said NHL director of European scouting Goran Stubb. "He has very good speed and quickness for a big man and plays with authority. He's difficult to check, protects the puck well and has good hands."

Dave Isaac; (856) 486-2479; disaac@courierpostonline.com.