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What a week it has been for the Flyers. The fans have seen Nolan Patrick on the ice, and that made a lot of people throughout the Philadelphia region and abroad happy. Unfortunately, the Flyers lost to the lowly New Jersey Devils last night 5-0, and now the Flyers are out of a playoff spot. The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Arizona Coyotes and now overtaken that 8th seed, once held by the Flyers. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
The Flyers should sign all five prospects, either to ATO’s or ELC’s. David Bernhardt for a fact can play at the AHL level, and he should be at least given an ATO (Like David Drake). Alex Appleyard, and I have had multiple conversations about that. There is really no reason why Linus Hogberg shouldn’t be given an ELC either. He plays in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Hogberg at the very least should be given an ATO, as well.
Wyatte Wylie is earning an ELC. Bill Meltzer indicated that offense for a defenseman doesn’t mean you just get the ELC, however, Wylie is interesting because he can play both the left and right side effectively. That alone should garner him an ELC as he does both well, plus Wylie has been shutting down top lines each night for the Everett Silvertips this year. The Phantoms were depleted on defense this year at some point, there really is no reason to let any defensive prospect walk. An ELC for Wylie might depend on if Wyatt Kalynuk signs an ELC after his year is completed with the University of Wisconsin. I just recently had an interview with Kalynuk, and it sounds like he’s headed back for his Senior season in my opinion, in which case Wylie should be given an ELC.
Tanner Laczynski and Wade Allison will both sign in my opinion. Laczynski will have offers for sure, but I think in the end they both sign. Allison told us at Developmental Camp that the ball would be in the Flyers court.
Nolan Patrick is part of the future for the Flyers, and this migraine disorder does not change that. Other players have unfortunately had similar issues, and have come out on top eventually. This case shall be no different with Patrick. Patrick is a 3C, with the hopes he can be a 2C/1C at some point. He is just darn talented not to think he wouldn’t be.
Tanner Laczynski. Laczynski is talented, and an underrated prospect in my opinion. He can be a really good top six Forward in my opinion, maybe not first line minutes, but second line minutes for sure. Laczynski may be NHL ready at this point, however, he will do a stint with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms most likely if he signs. Other Flyers prospects that I think are underrated are Noah Cates and Olle Lycksell. Both will enjoy good NHL careers.
The Flyers will take care of their own 100%. Patrick will garner a contract for $925,000, which is the same amount he’s making now, maybe a one-year contract. Oskar Lindblom should get at least $2-3 million next year. It’s a darn shame for both players, but at least they will have the benefits, as well.
Moving Kirill Ustimenko to the Phantoms was to get Felix Sandstrom some playing time. Sandstrom has seen limited rubber (1 period) in the past three weeks, whereas, Ustimenko has started almost every game for the Reading Royals. Make no mistake about it, Ustimenko earned this promotion, but it was to get Sandstrom playing time.
Sam Morin is doing great. I haven’t personally seen him, but that’s what I’ve been told by the Flyers. His equipment is still in his locker stall, with his name plate. Classy organization the Flyers are.
The Flyers will make a minor move. Do not look for the big blockbuster people are hoping for. Look for the Flyers to remain mostly quiet, and add a player like Conor Sheary, Nick Bonino, Craig Smith, or Jimmy Vesey.
Tanner Laczynski- 2021-22 Top six (Could be a call-up in 2020-21)
Isaac Ratcliffe- 2021-22, Bottom 9
Bobby Brink- 2023-24-2024-25, Top six
Wade Allison- 2021-22, Bottom 9- Top six
Morgan Frost- 2020-21, Top line
David Kase- 2020-21, Bottom 9-12
German Rubtsov- 2020-21, Top six-Bottom 9
Maksim Sushko- 2021-22, Bottom 9 or 12 (Best wrist shot in the system imo)
Noah Cates- 2023-24, Bottom 9-Top six
Olle Lycksell- 2023-24-2024-25, Bottom 9-Top six
Cam York- 2022-23, Top pairing
Wyatt’s Wylie- 2023-24, Middle Pairing, Bottom pairing
Wyatt Kalynuk- 2022-23, Middle pairing
David Bernhardt- AHL-Bottom six NHL
Linus Hogberg- 2023-24-2024-25, Middle pairing
I do not foresee Shayne Gostisbehere being moved by the trade deadline. He could possibly be moved in the off-season. The Flyers are rolling seven defensemen who can play on any night (Devils game exception), and that’s a luxury to have for a playoff push. A lot of playoff caliber teams would love to have the depth at defense right now that the Flyers have, so why trade it away.
Chris Martini (Via Twitter)- Do you expect them to make any moves at the Trade Deadline?
The Flyers will make a minor move. Do not look for the big blockbuster people are hoping for. Look for the Flyers to remain mostly quiet, and add a player like Conor Sheary, Nick Bonino, Craig Smith, or Jimmy Vesey.
Ghost, Morgan Frost (possibly another prospect as well), Scott Laughton or Michael Raffl, and a pick to the Calgary Flames for Matthew Tkachuk.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers.
Fist of all we should sign Allison and Laczynski and Höjberg,, maybe Wyalie as well! And for Ghost, why just keep him, if we can get assets or great prospect for him, because he”s sadly become expendable, and we could use cap space and draft picks in next summer deep draft! As for Matthew Tkatchuk, i am open to a lot different scenario”s, where we get Matthew Tkatchuk!