Date Published: 2-2-2023
Photo Credit: NHL.com
New Lehigh Valley Phantoms Head Coach in Ian Laperrière said after a game earlier last season of Morgan Frost, “He (Morgan Frost) was physical,” Laperrière said. “I just talked to him before I got up here and he felt great. He was a little bit tired, like I gave him quite a bit of ice-time, which I wanted to test him in different situations I would like to see him in, and management would like to see him too. I thought he looked great…He’s such a smart player, he can adjust. I’m just happy for him that he put the work in.”
Morgan Frost missed an entire developmental season in 2020 due to an injury, so last year he transitioned back and forth between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Flyers. He has had consistency problems and timing issues throughout his NHL career, mainly due to missing time and a developmental stand still. However, he got off to a quick start this season amassing three goals, and an assist through the course of the first five games of the season. Unfortunately, yet again the consistency problems reared it’s ugly head again, and some Flyers fans were thinking of him being traded or not being re-signed at year’s end. But not so fast Flyers fans!!!!
The good thing is Frost has rebounded in a big way, and has become a consistent hockey player for John Tortorella. A consistent hockey player just doesn’t produce on the offensive side of the puck, but Frost has been playing a sound two-way game since his benching earlier in the season in Toronto on November 2, 2022. For his efforts, Frost has five points (2g, 3a) in the last seven games played, and has 19 points (7g, 12a) in the last 23 games.
To be honest, he looked loose and that the pressure of succeeding was off his shoulders at least for one night. It appeared that he wasn’t concerned about making a mistake, as he was playing with James van Riemsdyk and Owen Tippett. Finally, Frost has a cohesive line to work with it appears, as the trio has dominated in recent games.
“I probably feel the best I’ve ever felt in my pro career.” – Morgan Frost said following the Toronto game on December 22, 2022
Frost has been assertive with his decision making, and is quite effective. His line of van Riemsdyk and Tippett have been effective for the orange and black, and they have formed one of the most consistent lines for a team that was currently struggling to win games at one point. He is oozing with confidence, physical, and more often than not making tape to tape passes. This line wreaked havoc on the Arizona Coyotes, and what remains to be seen is if this will be one of the most more consistent lines for the Flyers down the stretch following the All-Star break.
One area that John Tortorella has excelled at is communication with the youth. The youth appears to have taken another step, especially with Noah Cates and Cam York. “I had great chemistry with my linemates. They made my job easier,” Frost said recently.
Frost is a young player that is supposed to have top six abilities. Fletcher originally said he didn’t want Frost to be a yo-yo, and if he was recalled to the Flyers then Frost would be up for good. Well, well, well, he was treated like a yo-yo at times last season, so much for that. In hindsight what it did was give Frost more experience, and that’s something that frost didn’t take lightly, “Obviously, there’s highs and lows during the season where maybe you’re not really sure if you feel that way, but I think towards the end of the year, definitely I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable,” said Frost. “I think at this point, I can say I feel confident saying I feel like an NHL player. I’m happy about that.”
His confidence is back, and confidence is key for everyone no matter what you do in life. After only playing in a handful of organized hockey games in a year and a half due to his prior injury over a year ago. It was understandable for Frost to tighten his stick, or put a lot of pressure for him to succeed offensively last season. Hopefully, the lack of confidence appears to be a thing of the past for Frost.
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