Nolan Patrick cracks Flyers' opening night roster

This year's second overall selection, Nolan Patrick, has cracked the Philadelphia Flyers opening night roster, according to general manager Ron Hextall.

The news doesn't come as too much of a surprise given Patrick entered this year's draft as the No. 1 rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting. Nevertheless, the 19-year-old had a fairly underwhelming preseason offensively, wherein he tallied just three assists in six games, with his biggest highlight coming when he dropped the gloves with Boston Bruins forward David Krejci.

Patrick is primed to be an important cog for the Flyers moving forward and is expected to slot down the middle on Philly's second or third line.

With the preseason now in the rear-view mirror, Patrick and his teammates will head to San Jose where they will open the regular season against the Sharks - and for Patrick - his first career regular season contest.