Whether or not a prospect makes his NHL team depends on a couple things. Is his body ready for the NHL? Are his skills? Is there room for him on the roster? For Flyers' first round pick, Sean Couturier, the answer to enough of these questions appears to be yes.
↵ESPN did a piece on 2011 draft pick NHL ETAs and they listed Couturier as one of the five draft picks from this year who "can play tomorrow."
↵For Couturier, they say development wise, more time in the lower leagues could stall his development.
↵"Couturier seemed to stall this year, his third season in the QMJHL, and a fourth would put him on a treadmill".
↵With Claude Giroux, Brayden Schenn, Danny Briere and Maxime Talbot all under contract, the center position probably won't have room for Couturier on the big club. He certainly should be in the AHL with the Phantoms next season, but due to a transfer agreement with the CHL, that isn't possible. So keep an eye on Couturier at camp to see if he forces his way on the NHL roster.