Flyers Youth: Are the Kids Ready Now?

So far in NHL Free Agency, the Flyers have made two things clear: they will not be big spenders and they are not really even trying to keep their Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA’s). Other than Justin Braun, the Flyers have not signed any of their UFA’s. Tyler Pitlick signed with Arizona on a 2-year, $3.5 million contract ($1.75 million AAV). Nate Thompson has reached a 1-year deal with the Jets worth $700,000. Finally, Derek Grant went back to the Ducks, getting himself a 3- year deal worth $4.5 million ($1.5 million AAV). Had they wanted to, the Flyers could have made any one of these moves. Instead, they might think the young guys are ready.

Click here to shop for our sporting apparel, and accessories for Flyers Nitty Gritty

Morgan Frost, after getting a taste of the NHL last year could step into the 3C role if Nolan Patrick isn’t ready. If the season begins around January 1, it would be fair to assume Patrick isn’t ready. Frost could play on a line with JVR and Scott Laughton to begin the season. If JVR can get himself going early, the Flyers will have at least three lines that can score. The top line will be one of the best in hockey with Claude Giroux-Sean Couturier-Jakub Voracek. Their second line should feature All-Star Travis Konecny at Right-Wing, and the return of Oskar Lindblom at Left-Wing. They will be centered by Kevin Hayes coming off a really strong first season with the Flyers. The fourth line can be a combination of different guys. NAK is the main reason the Flyers let Pitlick walk. Connor Bunnaman will likely open the season as the 4C at the moment, unless a signing happens between now and then. Michael Raffl or Carsen Twarynski will play the other wing.

On the back end, the Flyers seem very confident in 24-year-old Mark Friedman to step in and contribute. Of course, Ivan Provorov will be on the first pair with Philippe Myers, most likely. Chuck Fletcher lauds Shayne Gostisbehere every time he talks to the media, so it’s a safe bet that he will be on the second line with Travis Sanheim. Justin Braun and Robert Hagg will be the third pair. I would expect Friedmam, Ghost, and Hagg to alternate throughout the season based on matchups and injuries. Sam Morin, the victim of two ACL tears, could also see some time later in the season. Morin, though, will need to play a lot in Lehigh Valley before he can contribute to the big club.

As far as Nolan Patrick’s situation goes, there is no real update on him other than he played in a non-contact scrimmage last week. He is continuing to skate and be around the team but there is no timetable for his return. Patrick has yet to be cleared for contact and until that happens, the Flyers have to plan as if they won’t have him moving forward. Maybe this can be a good thing for Patrick. Instead of him having to hear about the “bust” rumors, he can just focus on getting himself right and restarting his career. The Flyers have a lot more talent now than they did when he was their 2C. All he needs to do is be himself on the ice, and that will work for the team.

RFA’s (Restricted Free Agents) Philippe Myers and Nolan Patrick still need to be signed, but that is not an issue. Myers’ deal will lock him up for likely the next 3-4 years in the $3-4 million range. Myers is subject to an offer sheet from any other organization. Nolan Patrick’s situation is a little bit different. Since he has not really played three years in the NHL, he cannot be given an offer sheet by another team. The Flyers have “exclusive rights” with Patrick. I doubt the Flyers re-sign him until after they have the bulk of their work done this offseason. That means after Myers gets re-signed, any FA signings, and any trades they make. It would just be easier for Chuck Fletcher and the front office to know what they have before they turn their attention to Patrick.