Pierre McGuire: Patrick gives Flyers 'murderers' row of young players'
The NBCSN analyst was unrestrained in his enthusiasm about Nolan Patrick and about the Flyers' future, starting immediately.
Pierre McGuire loves Nolan Patrick.
Pierre McGuire loves the Flyers.
Or, rather, looooooves.
"They're going to be so good," said McGuire, the NBCSN analyst, after the Flyers selected Nolan Patrick with the second pick of Friday night's NHL draft.
"They were a non-playoff team but I'm going to go on the air and say the Philadelphia Flyers will make the playoffs this year and they will be a beast to play against," McGuire said. "I think (Flyers coach) Dave Hakstol has a murderers' row of young players to play with in Philadelphia. I think they will be one of the more exciting teams in the Eastern Conference going forward."
Asked about Patrick specifically, McGuire said, "He reminds me of Eric Staal, who was coincidentally the second overall pick in 2003."
Staal, the oldest of four hockey playing brothers, is now with the Minnesota Wild. On his resume are a Stanley Cup, a world championship and an Olympic gold medal. Flyers fans would be reasonably elated if Patrick were to hit the same marks, especially the first one.
How do they compare?
"The ability to use their size, their reach to open up ice — not just for themselves but for others," McGuire said. "They make it very difficult for defenders to negate that. And once they get a step on you, they're able to keep that step, and you have to go through their body — good luck."
Repeat after me:
Loooooooves.