Nolan Patrick is a talented player that had tallied 26 goals, and registered 35 assists for 61 points in 145 games played over a course of three seasons of hockey. Today the Flyers, and most notably Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher believes in the skill that Patrick posseses, as Patrick has signed a one-year make it or break it deal worth $874,125. Claude Giroux said a few weeks ago that the coaching staff was very impressed with the talents of Patrick with his time of practicing with the club this past season. Our very own Amedeo Grassia wrote a great article on him earlier today suggesting that he would be the best third line Center the Flyers could offer for next season.
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In what would be his third season of Professional hockey, unfortunately Patrick was unable to play a game due to a Migraine Disorder. It’s a darn shame he has to battle through this, and it’s also a darn shame that there are some people still calling him a BUST. A bust as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is “A complete failure : Flop” and Patrick definitely does not fall into that category.
Chris Stewart was so right when I interviewed him back in December, “He’s the second overall pick, there’s a lot of pressure on him. That’s outside pressure, that’s not us. If it takes 40 or 50 games for him to get healthy, it doesn’t matter. He’s going to come back when he is ready, and make an impact for sure.”
Soooooo a player that has tallied 26 goals in 145 games played is a bust? Moreover, a player that has tallied 61 points in 145 games played (For an average of .42 points per game) is a bust? It’s just illogical to call Patrick a BUST.
Patrick does a lot of things well on the ice. His ability to shut down top lines, as he thinks Defense first cannot be understated. Patrick played on the top line with JVR, and Giroux in his second season, and he was faced with facing top line after top line on some nights. He closes gaps on players, much like Sean Couturier does so well. Moreover, Patrick finished with career highs in Points (31), Hits (72), TK (40), and Blocks (26). Even with a crazy year with Ron Hextall being fired, Dave Hakstol being fired, Wayne Simmonds being traded, and a locker room that went through influx, Patrick still managed to post career highs in those categories mentioned.
The Former Brandon Wheat King product, Patrick has great vision, and gets into the open areas of the ice. One area of his game that needs improvement, however, is finishing. Yes, he was been snake bit at times with hitting posts, but Patrick has to finish the play more often. Sometimes he thinks pass first, as opposed to just shooting the biscuit at the net. This will come in time, and I’m confident that this will come over time. It took Sean Couturier time to develop his game the way it has, and the same will follow suit with Patrick.
This young 22-year-old in Patrick is just so darn talented. He is a giddy kid, good character guy in the locker room, as he sang Lionel Richie’s big hit, “All Night Long,” throughout the course of the 2018-19 season. This contract proves that the Flyers value him, and his talents. Let’s hope Patrick overcomes his battles with the Migraine Disorder, and comes back 100% for the 2020-21 season.
Flyers Cap Outlook
With Patrick no signed the Flyers have approximately $4.7 million of cap space left
Can’t wait to see him fully healthy!