Flyers’ Samuel Morin “I Feel Like I’m A Flyer”…Re-Sign Him Chuck

The 2013 first round selection in Morin found himself in a log jam at defense this season, to which he was used as a Left Winger for two games with the Flyers. Now fully recovered from ACL injuries in the past, Morin was mainly used as a defenseman with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and he played well for Head Coach Scott Gordon.

“I think I was the only one in town in October. I think AV was saying that I was working really, really hard to be back. He asked for me for a meeting. He just told me straight up if I could play left wing. He told me about the lack of physicality in the playoffs, especially against the Islanders. The guys were kind of getting pushed around, even against Montreal, and he needed a guy to answer to that.”– Samuel Morin said in January with a conversation he had with Head Coach Alain Vigneault

Morin’s last recall from the Phantoms was a good one, as he was back at defense with Shayne Gostisbehere. They played well together, and Morin looked revitalized. He even potted a game winner for his efforts, which happened to be his first NHL goal.

The 25-year-old in Morin was also fined $3,017.24 for an unsportsmanlike conduct with fighting and pummeling Brendan Lemieux. Morin was trying to show inspiration, and to fire his teammates. He did everything he could to stay in the lineup night after night, “Yeah, I think my season was fine,” Morin said at exit interviews. “Obviously, if you told me, at the beginning of the year I would have played 20 games in NHL as a D-man. I don’t know how many I played like 17 or 20. I would take it you know, so pretty happy about it. I stayed healthy, so that’s the good news.”

“I don’t know,” Morin continued to say if he would be back as a Defenseman next season. “I didn’t meet with Chuck yet. Obviously, I want to stay. My contract is up. The stuff I bring, I don’t think a lot of guys bring it in this organization. It’s kind of pretty rare now. I think I’m probably one of the toughest guy in the league to be honest. Obviously next year, we’re going to play those big, boys in the West and I’m kind of ready to prove it. I think I can bring something that no one here can bring. Obviously, it’s not up to me. I feel I’m a Flyer. And yeah, for sure. I want to stay.”

As Morin looked for a new contract next season. He moved back to defense and played rather well. Morin needs to simplify his game puck possession wise, as he skated rather decently believe it or not. Morin is typically a North/South skater, who skates rather decently given his size, but there were a lot of unknowns as he came back from multiple ACL injuries.

He needs to work on making effective decisions with the puck and this will come with more consistent playing time. At this rate, Morin has played himself to another contract with the Flyers, as he really is the only player that provides consistent physicality within the lineup. Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher has nothing to lose with offering him a contract of two-years worth an AAV of $900,000-$1 million. Morin is always chipper and giddy in the locker room, so he’s great to have around the locker room.

“When I started playing defense down there in the Phantoms, I was like, man, when I do get a full summer training, I’m going to feel good,” Morin said at exit interviews. “Because it was still a rehab season for me, kind of. When you tear your ACL twice and still a little bit of pain in my knee, it takes like a year or two before you feel 100 percent. I just see myself next year. I think I got to be skating even better, like without pain and stuff. I’m gonna be buzzing. I’d be ready to go.”