PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 19: Morgan Frost #48 of the Philadelphia Flyers in action against the Buffalo Sabres at the Wells Fargo Center on December 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
As rookie camp came to a close on Sunday with the Flyers rookies succumbing to a 3-2 loss. One thing became clear from Morgan Frost and new Lehigh Valley Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperrière, Frost indeed was bigger and stronger than in previous years at camp:
“Frost looks like an NHL player. I hope I don’t see him on the Phantoms.” – Ian Laperrière
He was impressed with Frost’s physicality throughout this rookie camp, as he placed him in situations to test that out. Laperrière continued to say that he put in the work at home and got bigger and stronger, and also if he does happen to play with the Phantoms this season he will be utilized on the penalty kill.
“The difference in the last three years has been huge for me. Obviously, not playing last year was tough, but I feel re-energized. I feel stronger. I’m a little older now. I feel more confident. I think everything’s kind of come together for me.” – Morgan Frost
Frost continued, “I think just that I got stronger. I can win battles and hold my own out there. The offensive stuff can come on its own for me. I think if I can show that I can play out there against the other team’s top lines and win face-offs and be strong in the zone. I think that’s the major thing that’ll get me to the NHL and hopefully keep me in the NHL.
One of Frost’s biggest criticisms was his strength. Well, we could put that to bed now, as Frost said he weighs 190 pounds (Frost said this last week at rookie camp). Whether or not Frost will make the Flyers outright out of camp remains to be seen, however, he indeed looks bigger in the interviews from this past week with the media.
Morgan Frost had some great moments for the Flyers, but he had some unfortunate luck last season as a shoulder injury sidelined him after playing in just two games for the Flyers. Frost really improved tremendously on the defensive side of the puck as he got more chances with the big club in 2019-20. The Flyers top brass took notice and Frost was able to make the team out of training camp in 2020-21. “I feel really good,” Frost said at developmental camp. “I kind of got through the rehab part of my shoulder and then it was more just about strengthening it a little bit. I think I’m very close. I feel ready. I’m confident.”
This young forward in Frost continued, “I feel confident that I can go into battles, take hits, and play physical with it. I’m fully confident. I think I just have a little bit more rehab to go to make sure that it’s fully 100% for the future.”
Confidence is such a big thing right now for Frost in particular, so it’s good to hear him sound so confident. Frost embarks on his biggest training camp yet, has he tries to prove that he is indeed physically 100% to handle the rigors of a full NHL season, “Well, I was here all season,” Frost said. “I stayed until the very end of the season, that was mostly rehab and just trying to get motion back on my shoulder. Towards the end, like the last month of the season, I started skating, no contact or anything, but just trying to get a little feel back. As the summer went on, I just started getting more confident and confident with that every day. I’m fully good to go now.”
Frost is still very talented and should not be forgotten of. He may very well start the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but do not think this is a bad thing folks. He could go down there for five to six games, and receive a recall for the rest of the season from the Flyers. There is healthy competition at training camp this season, which will only help his game in the future. Remember Frost finished with 29 points in 41 games played (13g, 16a) for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2019-20.
The Flyers could really use Frost’s explosive speed, and solid defensive play. This is what he needs to show at camp during scrimmages, and the preseason. Everyone knows Frost is very good in practices, and shootouts. However, he has to show how explosive he could be during a scrimmage, and play sound defensively, “It definitely wasn’t fun,” Frost said of his injury. “I worked really hard and trained hard to make the team. I was really excited that I did make the team and I was getting an opportunity to play. It was real tough timing and pretty unfortunate. I’m glad with the procedure I went through because it’s not going to happen again. Now it feels pretty strong. One tough year, but looking to bounce back this year. I think I’m ready to go so.”
Alain Vigneault’s system requires speed and back checking, and that is an area of Frost’s game that has improved the most over the course of the past few seasons. Frost had to work on his first step, and keep his feet moving this past season in a short sample size.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
The key word for Frost is confidence, and he appears to be very confident in his abilities and his game. Healthy competition at camp will help mold him into a better player, for instance, the additions of Derick Brassard and Nate Thompson. Frost knows nothing is handed to him in this business, and wasn’t bothered by the moves.
