The Philadelphia Flyers have officially announced the ELC contracts of Elliot Desnoyers (135th pick in 2020) & Olle Lycksell (168th overall in 2017), set to kick in next season.

There’s just something about that draft pick for Chuck Fletcher, not really sure what it is. Kirill Kaprizov (Chucks pick in 2015 with Wild) is currently leading the NHL in points for rookies (45) and should run away with Rookie of the Year. Now, 135th overall pick in 2020, Elliot Desnoyers, fresh off a breakout year for the Halifax Mooseheads, has signed his entry-level contract.

Going into the 2020 draft, the reason why Elliot fell so far was the question mark surrounding his offensive production. He had 35 points (12G-19A) in 61 games for the Moncton Wildcats in a limited role in 2018-2019. Desnoyers has always had a solid two-way game, he positions himself well when he doesn’t have the puck and he possesses high hockey IQ. Desnoyers was traded to the Halifax Mooseheads in the offseason, joining the likes of 2020 draft prospect, Zachary L’Heureux (stud), Robert Orr and Justin Barron (COL). Thrusted into a brand new, more expanded role with the Mooseheads, Elliot took off.

7th in the QMJHL in points (21G-28A), Desnoyers let Flyers fans (and hockey fans) who didn’t know who he was before, know now. Unleashing his offensive side of the game, scouts who had questions before, have their answers. He added another layer to his game that some didn’t think was there.

Desnoyers had a 5-point game on March 11th, I couldn’t even keep up with getting the videos out fast enough. Five assist night!

Desnoyers has great hands, better then I expected if I’m being honest. For a 135th overall pick he moves really well with the puck on his stick and has very soft, deceptive hands. His play-making ability is something that has really caught my eye in the many games I’ve sat down to watch him in, it almost seems like he has eyes in the back of his head sometimes.

Add together skill, hustle and heart with an already solid two-way game and you have yourself a pretty exciting prospect. Watch this goal, he beats out two defenders and finishes with his soft hands.

Look at those edges. Sweeeeeeeet.

Like I’ve said, Desnoyers two-way game was already there, now, he’s just adding another layer on-top. You love to see this from a prospect, especially a guy you got at 135th overall, that’s house money pick if you ask me. That late in a round is where you take the risk on a guy. If they don’t hit, it sucks but it’s the 135th overall pick, it’s not going to be a detriment to the franchise. If it does hit, well now you just found a gem at 135th, that’s house money. The 2020 draft as a whole has been looking pretty good so far, but as I mentioned in my 2020 draft sneak peak article, Desnoyers has the chance to be the biggest steal in it.

Some quick stats from Desnoyers breakout year:

• Lead the team in goals (21), assists (28) and points (49)
• Lead the team in power-play goals (5), short-handed goals (2) and game-winning goals (3)

Speaking of that 2020 draft, Desnoyers is the 3rd player to sign his ELC.

• Tyson Foerster
• Zayde Wisdom
• Elliot Desnoyers

Welcome to Philadelphia, officially, Elliot!

Mandatory Credit: David Chan/Halifax Mooseheads