Philadelphia Flyers
Former Flyers’ First-Rounder Jay O’Brien Signs with AHL’s Toronto Marlies
Philadelphia Flyers first-round bust Jay O’Brien has signed with the Toronto Marlies, the AHL club announced Friday.
O’Brien, 23, signed a one-year deal, the Marlies said. The Marlies are a Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate.
He was a Flyers’ 2018 first-round pick, the 19th overall player chosen. He was drafted by then-general manager Ron Hextall. The Flyers’ other first-round pick in 2018 was productive forward Joel Farabee.
In the spring, the Flyers decided not to sign O’Brien, making him a free agent. The Flyers received a 2024 second-round draft pick (51st overall) as compensation for not signing O’Brien.
O’Brien reportedly drew some attention from his hometown Boston Bruins before signing with the Marlies.
O’Brien, a forward, played three seasons at Boston University, after playing his freshman season at Providence. The Terriers advanced to the Frozen Four in 2023. O’Brien played 39 games and scored eight goals and 24 assists (32 points).
In 104 college games, O’Brien scored 28 goals and 47 assists (65 points).
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Chuck-
What was the reason that the Flyers gave up on O’Brien? Do they feel they already have enough talent in the pipeline at his position?
I’m always curious when a player falls out-of-favor with the club that drafted them without ever playing a game within the organization.
While some might point to O’Brien being released because he was Hextall’s pick, doesn’t it also say something about the confidence the Flyers front office has in our minor league system (I’m speaking mostly of the Phantoms) perhaps not being the best at developing players to be ready for the NHL?
I live within walking distance of the Phantoms home arena and watch a fair amount of games each year. Other than allowing the Flyers to “park” some players on entry level contracts and getting them more ice time at the AHL level, I don’t see a whole lot of actual player development being done at Lehigh Valley. On ice, it seems like they play systems that are different from what the Flyers play.
I don’t know if things are the same at Reading, but I have to wonder if part of the Flyers problem is that their minor league system isn’t in sync with the NHL club and that their minor league teams aren’t doing enough to bring prospects up to the NHL level.
It will be interesting to see how O’Brien does with the Marlies. Obviously the Leafs organization saw enough in him to give him a chance, and the last time I checked, they’re doing pretty well.
Mike
Allentown, PA