With more and more leagues around the world starting to try to get back to some sort of normalcy beginning to open back up and play some games, let us take a look at some camp battles that are set to ensue for the Philadelphia Flyers:
At the Center position the Flyers are already currently loaded with names like Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, and Nolan Patrick. But let us not forget Scott Laughton and Claude Giroux- who the team converted to wingers out of necessity but who often still find themselves lining up in the faceoff circle to take an important draw. With that being said, there may be still room for one of the following players to make the opening night roster if the team’s former 2017 number-two-overall draft pick Nolan Patrick still finds himself unable to suit up for the team for game one. Patrick is still battling his way back from a prolonged head injury but has indeed been spending more and more time recently on the ice playing in scrimmages. This is progress for sure, but the team still needs to have a backup plan in mind just in case, which is why these players in particular will be closely watched throughout the team’s training camp.
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Morgan Frost, whose cap hit would only cost the Flyers $863,333 next season, is Philly’s other 2017 1st round pick. Morgan- who is now just 21-years-old- turned pro after back-to-back 100+ point seasons for the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Last season Frost spent twenty games with the Flyers, scoring two goals and five assists in the process for Philadelphia. During that time, Frost showed a great hockey sense that showcased his ability not only to read the play but react quickly- thanks to his excellent transition capabilities. But even though Morgan was always found by his teammates to be in the right position for a scoring chance, he was rarely able to convert on his chances. With Frost’s confidence fading, he was sent back to Lehigh Valley to play for the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate- the Phantoms. Once there, Morgan was able to regain his confidence and managed to tally 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points in just forty-one games played. Now he is set to pair his regained confidence with his newfound experience from while he was acting as the team’s Black Ace within the playoff bubble in Toronto. Morgan, who draws a fairly close comparison to the offensively-gifted Flyer center Daniel Briere, should be more than ready to battle it out for another chance at a spot on the Flyers’ roster next season.
Another young center who spent time up with the Flyers last season was Connor Bunnaman. Connor- who is now just 22-years-old- was drafted back in 2016 with the team’s 4th round pick. After some impressive years playing for the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, Bunnaman made the jump to the professional level and found himself playing for the Phantoms in the 2018-2019 season. In this season he scored thirty-two points in sixty-two games. Not bad for a first-year pro right? This is why it should have come as no surprise to anyone why this 6’1 207-pound faceoff man made the Flyers’ opening night roster last season. With Bunnaman proving to the team’s new Head Coach Alain Vigneault that he could indeed be trusted, Connor found himself able to dress for twenty-one NHL games last season. But much like Frost, Bunnaman found it not as easy to light the lamp while up with the big club- only totaling one goal and one assist while playing for the Flyers. Once returned to the Phantoms, Bunnaman was able to net six goals and three assists in 29 games for Lehigh Valley. With another year of professional hockey now under his belt, Bunnaman should know what is going to be expected of him on a nightly basis and hopefully be able to bring a more consistent game to the table; and with a salary of just $736,666 for next season he would be an inexpensive call up option for sure if injuries occur.
A dark horse candidate may be set to enter this race next season though: The team’s 2016 6th round pick: Center Tanner Laczynski. Tanner- who is now twenty-three years old- has now finished his collegiate career and is freshly signed to his own entry-level contract. Laczynski was drafted after performing relatively well for the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel. Once done in Chicago, Tanner took his talents to Columbus where he has evolved his game over the last four seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes. While playing for the Buckeyes, Tanner managed well over a point-per-game (PPG) in three out of the four seasons there; The season when he didn’t reach a point-per-game was still a .94 PPG average. Now, Laczynski could have probably chosen to turn pro sooner, but his time playing in the NCAA I assure you was not any easy ride! Competing against some fierce competition over the years like top ranked University’s such as Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona State, and Denver will have surely made his transition to the pro level a little less cumbersome. That may be why the Flyers signed this experienced center to a $925,000 contract this off-season.
This is why, with the uncertainly of Flyers’ center Nolan Patrick, this camp position battle may just be more important than any other when the Flyers reconvene! Therefore, rest assured that Vigneault and the team’s General Manager Chuck Fletcher will be paying close attention to these three young men while they are competing against one another in drills. Whether it be from high above in their perfectly placed perch, or from ice level, these two men will be intently scrutinizing every pass, shot, and check these three make. So, if they want a chance at the NHL next season, these three players better leave it all on the ice and show that they in fact are deserving of being called a Philadelphia Flyer!
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