7th-Round Gold: Flyers Feeling Good About Alexis Gendron

After making him a late-round draft pick, the Philadelphia Flyers should be excited about Alexis Gendron’s development.

The high-scoring right winger is a second-generation player. His father, Martin, a current Quebec-based scout for the Flyers, had a long hockey career and brief stints with the Washington Capitals and later the Chicago Blackhawks in the late 1990s.

Being from a hockey family is always a plus. Gendron is currently playing for the Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL. Martin played there in 1993-94, when they were known as the Hull Olympiques.

Last year, when the Flyers asked him if it was OK to draft his son, he was comfortable with it. The younger Gendron has made a jump since Flyers rookie camp.

When I last saw him, his speed and hands were highly capable, but his overall game wasn’t. His play away from the puck wasn’t great, and his defense was below average. Ditto his physical strength.

As a 5-foot-9 player, he had to build himself up, and that takes years most times.

But Gendron keeps making strides. Considering the Flyers selected him in the seventh round — five picks from the end of the draft — there is some upside here. He already has career-highs in goals (52) and points (77) in 59 games.

The “Q” does have some elevated offensive numbers. To illustrate that, Gendron is currently 14th in the league in scoring. He has the hands and shot that should translate at the next level.

Still only 19, there is a lot of upside with this winger. According to InStat, Gendron is averaging nine shots per game, and 59% of his shots are on the net. His power-play time is off the charts at 3:26 on average, and he also sees some time on the PK. Gendron is a special  offensive weapon in this league.

Alexis Gendron puts Gatineau up 2-0! pic.twitter.com/nIIzV27TF0

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 11, 2023

Gatineau has clinched the West Division, so let’s see how he does in the playoffs. Gendron isn’t eligible to play in the AHL to start next season. His late December birthdate dictates that. So, he will go back and finish his third full season.

The goal is to win a Memorial Cup, try and lead the league in scoring, and continue to get stronger. He needs to win more puck battles. But he has a chance to be a future NHLer if he can round out those other parts of his games outlined above.

That has to make the Philadelphia Flyers thrilled they drafted one of their scout’s sons at No. 220 overall last year.

Russ Cohen is a prospects expert for SiriusXM radio and Elite Prospects.