There is no denying that Nolan Patrick is so darn talented. However, he was unable to showcase his talents for Flyers new Head Coach Alain Vigneault this season, asides from practicing and working out with the team, “I’m told that there’s a tremendous amount of potential in Patrick’s case,” Alain Vigneault said at his exit interview via Zoom. Of course, Patrick wanted to play, but was unable to due to his unforeseen Migraine Disorder.
Patrick had a few bouts with injuries in his 2018-19 campaign, and these injuries happened to come at the wrong time. He was making huge strides with his game, and it was apparent he was gaining confidence at the NHL level. 40 games before the All-Star break, Patrick only tallied 9 points, after that he tallied 22 points as he finished the season with 13g,18a for a total of 31 points in 72 games played. It appears that Patrick excels in the second half of the season.
In what would be his third season of Professional hockey, Patrick did not 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. ‘The Captain’ does what he does best, which is lead by example, “Nolan, he’s been through a lot,” Claude Giroux said. “You don’t want to mess around with head problems. Obviously we want Nolan back in the lineup, but we don’t want him before he’s 100 percent.”
Patrick has registered 26 goals, and tallied 35 assists for a total of 61 points in 145 games played (For an average of .42 points per game). Not bad at all for just playing two seasons in the NHL, and it just proves how talented he really is, “He’s going to have a long career,” Claude Giroux said confidently. “He’s going to be a great player. I still remember practices this year and he came on the ice. The new coaches we had were kind of looking at us like this kid is pretty good.”
The young 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. Is he as good as Coots, no, but his defensive play cannot be taken for granted. 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. 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.
Giroux says, “We want him to get healthy and he’s going to be a big piece for us this year.”
It’s a shame what has transpired for the young Nolan Patrick. Patrick has gone through so much this season, mentally and physically with being diagnosed with a Migraine Disorder, and he wants to play more than anything. The good thing is that the Captain has his back, and Patrick will return better and stronger than ever before next season.
Ghost and Patrick to jets for laine
Can’t wait to get going with Patty and Oskar fully healthy!!!
You and me both
Obviously whoever writes this is employed by the Flyers.
What a homer “article”.
Get real.
I wrote the article. We are fully credentialed with the Flyers, but yeah I was giving insight through Claude Giroux through an interview.