Photo Courtesy of, Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The 2022-2023 season has been an interesting one for Flyers Center Morgan Frost. Many surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers organization, as well as, within it have deemed this season a crucial one for Frost and his development. While that is a valid assessment he’ll also still have future seasons to improve as a player and continue to progress his game at the NHL level.
Frost was a 1st round 27th overall draft pick in the 2017 NHL draft. With the scoring prowess shown in junior hockey along with his successful performances at the World Junior Championships for Canada. Frost developed a pedigree and the expectations he would be a talented scorer due to his prior play.
It must be noted that in most cases 27th overall draft picks do not have the tendency to become NHL regulars and contributors at a highly efficient rate. In the last 11 NHL drafts 8 players have been selected (including Frost) and none of these players have scored more than 72 points total in their careers. Clearly illustrating the fact that in these scenarios a player selected at this point in the draft is not one that is likely going to be a bonafide top 6 contributor at the NHL level. Frost has not yet cemented himself as that in the NHL so far. Although, his recent stretch of play has displayed encouraging signs that it may be a reachable objective.
Listed below are the career totals of NHL points scored for the last 11, 27th overall picks drafted.
2012 – Henrik Samuelsson has 0 points in 3 games played
2013 – Marko Dano has 45 pts in 141 games played
2014 – Nikolay Goldobin has 46 pts in 125 games played
2015 – Jacob Larsson has 24 pts in 168 games played
2016 – Brett Howden has 72 pts in 246 games played
2017 – Morgan Frost has 37 pts in 111 games played
2018 – Nicolas Beaudin has 6 pts in 22 games played
2019 – Nolan Foote has 6 pts in 13 games played
2020 – Jacob Perreault, yet to play in NHL
2021 – Zachary L’Heureux, yet to play in NHL
2022 – Filip Bystedt, yet to play NHL
Additionally, the above reinforces the idea that most 27th overall picks in the NHL are not exactly top 6 contributors or even likely to be regular NHL players. When taking that into consideration the Flyers should be happy where young Center Morgan Frost currently is in his development. Especially due to the fact that the center has only played 111 games to date in the NHL since his draft year.
Frost would likely have more pro experience to draw from however, the Center dislocated his shoulder during the 2020-2021 season just 2 games into the season. Effectively causing Frost to miss the season and a year of development time. For a 21 year old player at the time of said injury that is a key detail in this situation. Missing a full year of games and on ice experiences that would have helped his adjustment and acclimation to the NHL is not something that can be overlooked.
Prior to this season and the end of last season, Frost has not had much time in the NHL. The center only played 22 NHL games total before the 2021-2022 season where he played 55 games and notched 16 points. Along with this season where Frost has played 34 games so far and has 14 points in that span. Even then playing a total of 77 NHL games spread across 3 seasons (before this season where the player began the year in the NHL) is not enough pro experience to label the player as a fully developed product.
Development is not always a linear thing for a young player trying to find his way in the NHL. It can be full of ups and downs. It can be full of stretches where the player looks like he has all facets of his game put together. While there’s other times it looks like the complete opposite. Overall, it is a learning process in relation to players figuring out the pace of the NHL game and how they can be effective using their skill sets in the NHL. Not to mention, what types of plays they can try to make and get away with at the NHL level. As compared to lower levels of competition such as the AHL and Junior hockey.
In regards to Morgan Frost, he is going through the rigors of that development process right now and it’s typically a different timeline for every young player. Frost has entered a situation where it appears as though things are coming together for the forward at the NHL level. The young center currently has 9 points in his last 10 games. In those games he’s also been creating scoring opportunities for not only himself but also his linemates on a consistent basis. That’s a very encouraging sign to see as the consistency is beginning to form in Frost’s game.
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What the confidence brings out is the Center trying certain plays and making passes completed at lower levels he may have been hesitant to attempt in the past at the NHL level. Ultimately, this is all a part of the development process and Frost figuring out what type of player he can consistently be and become in the NHL.
After the game last Thursday, against his hometown team the Toronto Maple Leafs, in which Frost scored a goal in his third straight game. I had the chance to speak with Frost about the confidence and consistency growing in his game. I also received some further insight on how he believes playing with Tippett and JVR has helped him on the ice.
Question: That’s 3 goals in 3 games for you Morgan, do you feel the confidence and consistency building in your game as we go along here throughout the season?
Answer: “I think so, probably playing my best hockey right now. I think the team is playing well too, we’re kinda in every game, but can’t seem to find a way to finish it off. I feel probably the best I’ve ever felt in my pro career right now, so hopefully I can keep it going.”
Question: Playing with James and Owen, just their gameplay styles and freeing up pucks for you on the boards. Is that conducive to helping you out and your style of play?
Answer: “Yeah I’ve been pretty adamant about that. I really enjoy playing with those guys. I think I’ve said it before, our 3 skill sets complement each other very well. They’re all very different and I think we get a little bit of everything there. They’re really special players, so I’m thankful to be able to play with them.”
Based on the above, it’s evident Morgan Frost’s opinion is that he’s currently playing the best hockey of his pro career at the moment. This seems to be associated with the growing confidence and consistency that’s been emerging in his on ice play during the past 10-15 games or so. It’s certainly something Frost can use to build on as the season moves along. He can also draw from it as a learning experience in terms of figuring out how to get back on the scoreboard after a few games without production.
Frost also gave praise to his current linemates Owen Tippett and James Van Riemsdyk. He pointed out specifically that their skill sets and styles of play really help out on the ice. Most notably in relation to board play, puck battles, freeing up ice and open space for him to handle the puck more often and effectively.
After the same game I had the opportunity to ask Flyers head coach John Tortorella about Frost’s play. I mainly was interested in Tortorella’s thoughts relating to Frost’s recent stretch of production and if the increased consistency has afforded him the chances for more ice time. Tortorella had a differing perspective on Frost’s game than the player. However, he did mention the Center performed better as the game went along.
Question: You put Frost up with Konecny and Farabee to end the game out there. Was that just based around him doing well the last few games and earning that opportunity?
Answer: “I thought he was brutal for most of the game. I was just trying to find some offense because I didn’t think we were developing enough offense. I don’t think his game was anywhere near it should be throughout most of the game. But towards the end he gets involved in a few scoring chances, and we get an opportunity to try to win or at least tie.”
Final Thoughts
Obviously the most compelling aspect of Frost’s thoughts on his play as of late and Tortorella’s assessment of Frost in the game against the Maple Leafs, is the parallel between the statements given. Frost believes he’s playing the best hockey of his pro career currently. Whereas Tortorella thought the young forward didn’t have a great game against the Leafs despite him scoring in his 3rd straight outing.
My perspective on the matter and differentiation between both Frost’s comments and Tortorella’s thoughts is that the player is correct. Frost is playing the best hockey of his NHL career in terms of production, consistency and creating scoring chances on a nightly basis.
Tortorella certainly recognizes that Frost’s game has improved significantly especially when assessing his first 15 games of the season in comparison to the last 19 games the forward has played. Nonetheless, Tortorella is looking for more consistency within Frost’s game and likely thinks he can push the player to play even better than he has through this current stretch.
That’s typically the mantra Tortorella ascribes to with his coaching. He wants to motivate players and push their limits in order to get the best out of them on the ice. I suspect this is what Tortorella was trying to do with these comments. As he likely realizes the consistency mounting in Frost’s games but wants a full 60 minute performance from him more often than not. Considering this Flyers team is offensively starved and relying on Frost to produce offense. It certainly makes sense as to why he is attempting to push the player to be even better if possible.
The question is if the methods being taken with Frost currently are appropriate considering the situation at hand, as the player is producing and playing well. So far it appears as though Tortorella’s handling of Frost has worked. He did previously healthy scratch the player earlier in the season but did not provide him this quality of linemates or ice time until recently. Placing Frost with Tippett and JVR has been a contributing factor resulting in this stretch of good play from Frost and Tortorella can be attributed with that.
In my estimation, Frost’s strong play will likely continue as long as Tortorella proceeds to provide him opportunities that are conducive to his skillset and long term development. It’s crucial the player is put in offensive situations to have success, with the appropriate amount of ice time and skilled linemates. One fascinating aspect to monitor in the upcoming months, is if the pushing Tortorella does with his players can get Frost to an even higher level; regarding the Center’s on ice play and the consistency within his game.
