Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Morgan Frost was rewarded with a new two-year contract worth $4.2 million ($2.1 million AAV) in 2023. This was a great deal for both Frost and Flyers. He didn’t want to miss one day of camp in the offseason of 2023, thus getting on the bad side of John Tortorella.
Through all the benching’s, believe it or not Morgan Frost played in his 200th NHL game last season against the Seattle Kraken. For his efforts, he finished the season on a strong note with tallying 13 goals and registering 28 assists for 41 points in 71 games played.
“I think I’ve matured a lot, and grown up a lot. I think I’ve learned how to handle situations better,” Frost said at exit interviews.
The problem with Frost is inconsistency. He typically gets off to a slow start to the season, then puts together a good second half of the season. That worked for the past few years, but that obviously isn’t working now with Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella, “Frosty is going to wait his turn, because he’s probably the most talented out of anyone we have,” said Tortorella while speaking of the Center position last week.
Tortorella continued, “I hope he shows up when he gets back in. It’s a kid that I like, as him and I have gone through that process. I cannot continue to go through the same process with Morgan that I have done for the past two years. It’s not fair to him. It would be stupid to coach that way because we have done that. He’s going to have to take some onus on himself here when he gets an opportunity to make it stick because we certainly need help in that position.”
Last season Morgan and Tortorella had a one-on-one meeting, to discuss how Morgan can stay within the lineup, “I met with Frosty today. It’s a big step for Frosty. He came to me for a meeting,” Tortorella said following Frost’s benching. “Today was a good honest conversation of what’s happening now, and kind of big picture stuff. I was thrilled he wanted to come in. He gave me some of his thoughts.”
This was great to hear, the two hashed it out like men. Fast forward to now, really, what is there to talk about? Morgan, at some point has to start producing, it’s as simple as that. At the moment his future with the orange and black looks bleak, unless he starts producing at a high rate. With Frost scheduled to become an Restricted Free Agent at year’s end, it wouldn’t shock me if Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere pulls the trigger on a trade involving Frost. Rumors are already swirling, with a potential Frost deal to the Chicago Blackhawks, and other teams.
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“I know I got to be better.” – Morgan Frost said last week
Frost is arguably one of the most talented forwards the Flyers have at the Center position. He can make something out of nothing, as he has good on-ice awareness. Frost has a ton of skill, and his hands remind me of Claude Giroux’s with the way he razzles and passes the puck. However, he just cannot seem to put it all together.
“I have a lot of respect for Torts, and think he’s a great coach.” – Morgan Frost said at exit interviews
In the end, Frost would not garner much in return, unless he is involved in a package. Throw out the one for one for Marco Rossi. A Morgan Frost trade would involve a change of scenery type player, or a project player like Owen Tippett was with the Florida Panthers before coming to Philly.
Some players or Centers that would fit this bill are Trevor Zegras or Peyton Krebs. Both Zegras and Krebs could use a change of scenery, and have similar numbers to Frost. In addition, both Zegras and Krebs have untapped potential, much like Frost. As described above, Frost has all the talent, so it would be beneficial to see how Frost works out with the orange and black until the trade deadline nears.
The Flyers are not contenders, so making a trade right now is not a necessity, unless it moves the needle in a big way. I would stand pat with Frost, and wait to use assets (2025 three first round picks) until a trade could be had for a top six Center. Maybe Marco Rossi does indeed become available as the trade deadline nears, if the Minnesota Wild believe Rossi would become disgruntled without a long-term deal in place. I would just hate the Flyers to make a trade, just to make a trade. Let’s see who becomes available in the coming months or month.
David Jiricek
The Columbus Blue Jackets would not want Morgan Frost in a deal for young blueliner David Jiricek. However, a deal for Jiricek would have to include Oliver Bonk first and foremost, plus other assets, namely Joel Farabee or even Owen Tippett possibly. The Flyers do have three first round picks for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, so they would like one of those picks too.
Absolutely not jiricek is unproven and not worth that asking price Danny would be stupid to give that up .