The dead thick of the offseason ensues. Does Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher have another move in store? We shall see in the coming weeks, however, without further delay here are our answers to your questions.
Top 3 Prospects in the Flyers system:
Morgan Frost- Frost is a highly skilled player that continues to grind his game at the Professional level. He’s so fast and talented, Frost will be able to put everything together to eventually become a top six Forward in the NHL in the near future.
Cam York- Aged 19-years-old, York is a highly intelligent Defenceman that is not the fastest skater, but he has great edge work and smarts that it makes up for his lack of explosive speed. He is an offensive minded defenceman that has the billing to be at the very least a middle pairing defenceman-top pairing at times with Ivan Provorov. York’s primary focus of training this past Summer worked on building muscle, and boy does he look good thus far for Michigan (1g,3a, +3 in two games played).
Yegor Zamula– The young 20-year-old defenceman in Zamula has a great hockey IQ. He is fast, plays with an edge to his game, is an offensive minded defenseman, and doesn’t shy away from physicality especially with driving players into the boards. Overall, Zamula is a stud, that just needs to work on building muscle. He may be a little undersized in terms of muscle to compete with the rigors of a full 82-game NHL season, but that didn’t change some players minds about him, “He’s a great player, great kid,” Flyers star Defenseman Ivan Provorov said this past Summer, “He wants to learn. I just told him to be himself and don’t think too much. Just play your game and enjoy every shift. Try to learn every shift. I think he’s done a great job so far during camp. He’s getting better. I think he’s a great player and only going to get better and better.”
Morgan Frost- Frost will come into camp in shape, and looking to win a job outright. If Nolan Patrick is not healthy enough to play on opening night, then look for Frost to possibly win a spot as a third line Center. Frost did improve as a player with more chances he received from the Flyers last season, to include his defensive play. He cannot hide in the system no longer it’s time to take the gloves off this young man and let him flourish if Patrick cannot go on opening night. Maybe, just maybe Frost gets a shot on the Wing if Patrick is healthy for opening night.
Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher has indicated in past press conferences with the media that he thinks Frost could use more time, but this might be a motivational tactic from the General Manager.
Tanner Laczynski- Laczynski will come into camp as a 23-year-old that will be determined, and ready to begin his Professional career. He has been currently `working out at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ preparing for the upcoming season. I firmly believe he could win a job as a 4th line Center, as the Flyers prefer Scott Laughton on the Wing.
For Aaron Ekblad:
Florida Receives: Scott Laughton, Travis Sanheim or Philippe Myers, Cam York/Bobby Brink, and maybe a first
Flyers Receive: Aaron Ekblad, Maybe Owen Tippett
Ekblad is not untouchable for the Panthers, but he will cost. The Panthers could look to move him, but I think the Toronto Maple Leafs would be all over the services for this 6’4, 215 pound beast.
For Jonathan Towes:
If the Chicago Blackhawks retain 50% of Towes’s salary the Flyers could make this trade work.
Chicago Receives: One of the Flyers young Goalie Prospects, and a pick/prospect
Flyers Receive: Jonathan Towes, maybe a pick
Travis Hamonic
Hamonic wants to stay on the West coast. This has been his goal since free agency began. He would have been a perfect fit in Philadelphia, but Hamonic more than likely wants term, and to remain on the West coast.
There are two netminders that come to my mind Felix Sandstrom and Kirill Usitmenko. Given the state of the ECHL and AHL Ustimenko was slated to start the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Let’s hope that the AHL does indeed have a season. Of the two I would give the nod to Ustimenko, as he was brought to the bubble with the Flyers during the playoffs in the Summer.
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Chuck Fletcher appears to be high on Ustimenko for good reason. Ustimenko was given a chance to acclimate to the Pro level, while being with the team in the bubble. This could put Ustimenko over the hump over Sandstrom to eventually backup Carter Hart in the future.
Wade Allison and Morgan Frost will be given every opportunity to make this club when training camp ensues. Frost’s chances will most likely center around whether Nolan Patrick can play or not, while Allison just needs to stay healthy to show his worth.
The Flyers are in need of a physical presence, and Allison provides that missing entity. However, I do believe Allison will start with the Phantoms in the vent expanded rosters are not utilized to start the NHL season. Frost on the other hand might get his shot on the Wing, if Patrick returns, either way it will be interesting.
The new jerseys are ok, I’m not a huge fan of them, they are just ok. They remind me of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms jerseys. Teams throughout the NHL are trying to recoup their losses after spending tons of money to keep the league running through October. This is a smart move on the NHL’s behalf for revenue.
I think the Flyers should wear white gloves as it would match better.
No timetable on Philippe Myers re-signing, but after MacKenzie Weegar has re-signed with the Florida Panthers this past week. A Myers signing should appear imminent. It is likely Myers will sign a bridge deal for $2.5-3 million per year, but remember star Defenseman Ivan Provorov did not sign a contract until the day before training camp. I’m not alarmed by this one bit.
I do believe there is a trade on the horizon for the orange and black. It is not a question of if, rather when. Unfortunately, teams are still uncertain in these uncertain times, so it’s making the market stagnant at the moment. There is uncertainty of when the season will start, and will be there fans or no fans. Hockey is a spectator sport, these franchises simply cannot continue to shell out money, and barely turn a profit. It just cannot continue to happen, and General Manager’s will not let it happen either.
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.
