Photo by Darryl Webb | Courtesy of AP
Nolan Patrick wanted to prove to his doubters that he could stay healthy, and play a full season. Patrick has a world of talent and people have seen flashes of this throughout his two years of playing for the Flyers (2017-18, 2018-19), as he has accumulated 62 points in 156 games played. Patrick may not be keeping up pace with James van Riemsdyk in terms of points (2g,3a in 13 games played), but he has played sound defensively. He needed to step up on the defensive side of the puck in the absence of Sean Couturier, and prove he could take a hit. Patrick did both admirably.
Both Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom have been through a lot this past year, so with that both will need time to get back to the level of play they were at before their unfortunate situations took place. Lindblom and Patrick are important to the Flyers overall success, and both are very talented hockey players. Let’s be patient with both players, they will be just fine.
Patrick may not be producing offensive wise to the rate that some may like, but we should be patient with him. He missed an entire season with a migraine disorder, and really didn’t play organized hockey since April of 2019 until the first game for the Flyers of the 2021 season against the Pittsburgh Penguins (A span of 652 days).
This young 22-year-old in Patrick has backchecked well, and creates turnovers. He also is not shying away from using his body to his advantage. Patrick appears to be in the right spots to pick off pucks, and moves players into the boards thus forcing a turnover. Patrick has also registered nine hits this season, and also has blocked five shots. He takes away space, as his gap control has been impeccable on the defensive side of the puck.
Patrick is heading to tough areas in the slot, where he knows he’s going to hit to win the puck battle. Moreover, Patrick has been a beast on faceoffs all season winning 81 faceoffs out of 150 chances, which is good for a 54.0% faceoff percentage.
Lindblom appears to be more like himself as of late, before the Flyers were postponed due to Covid-19. He’s blocking shots (9), hitting (10), and board battling well. What has impressed me the last few games about Lindblom the way he’s forechecking once again. It appears that he is no longer timid or hesitant to get involved to make the play. That is a huge victory for Lindblom, as he was successful in the dirty areas before his unfortunate situation took place.
The young 24-year-old in Lindblom is a very talented hockey player. He gets to the dirty areas to score (32 career goals and 29 career assists), and his ability to extend plays cannot be understated. Lindblom isn’t a Swedish sensation for nothing.
Whatever the case maybe for Patrick and Lindblom. Both will produce at a high rate sooner rather than later, they are just too talented not to do such. All they need is time, and this break or reset due to Covid-19 postponements may be exactly what the doctor ordered for these two young players.
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