Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Morgan Frost was rewarded with a new two-year contract worth $4.2 million ($2.1 million AAV) in 2023. This was a great deal for both Frost and Flyers. He didn’t want to miss one day of camp, thus getting on the bad side of John Tortorella.
Through all the benching’s, believe it or not Morgan Frost played in his 200th NHL game last season against the Seattle Kraken. For his efforts, he finished the season on a strong note with tallying 13 goals and registering 28 assists for 41 points in 71 games played.
“I think I’ve matured a lot, and grown up a lot. I think I’ve learned how to handle situations better,” Frost said at exit interviews.
The problem with Frost is inconsistency. He typically gets off to a slow start to the season, then puts together a good second half of the season. That worked for the past few years, but that obviously isn’t working now with Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella, “Frosty is going to wait his turn, because he’s probably the most talented out of anyone we have,” said Tortorella while speaking of the Center position last week.
Tortorella continued, “I hope he shows up when he gets back in. It’s a kid that I like, as him and I have gone through that process. I cannot continue to go through the same process with Morgan that I have done for the past two years. It’s not fair to him. It would be stupid to coach that way because we have done that. He’s going to have to take some onus on himself here when he gets an opportunity to make it stick because we certainly need help in that position.”
Last season Morgan and Tortorella had a one-on-one meeting, to discuss how Morgan can stay within the lineup, “I met with Frosty today. It’s a big step for Frosty. He came to me for a meeting,” Tortorella said following Frost’s benching. “Today was a good honest conversation of what’s happening now, and kind of big picture stuff. I was thrilled he wanted to come in. He gave me some of his thoughts.”
This was great to hear, the two hashed it out like men. Fast forward to now, really, what is there to talk about? Morgan, at some point has to start producing, it’s as simple as that. At the moment his future with the orange and black looks bleak, and the trade deadline is only a handful of months away. With Frost scheduled to become an Restricted Free Agent at year’s end, it wouldn’t shock me if Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere pulls the trigger on a trade involving Frost. Rumors are already swirling, with a potential Frost deal to the Chicago Blackhawks.
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“I know I got to be better. I don’t think by any stretch of imagination I’ve had a good season thus far, it’s all on me I take responsibility for it. Play with more consistency and energy like I did today.” – Morgan Frost said last season
Frost is arguably one of the most talented forwards the Flyers have at the Center position. He can make something out of nothing, as he has good on-ice awareness. Frost has a ton of skill, and his hands remind me of Claude Giroux’s with the way he razzles and passes the puck. However, he just cannot seem to put it all together.
“I have a lot of respect for Torts, and think he’s a great coach.” – Morgan Frost said at exit interviews
In the end, Frost does take responsibility. The Flyers top brass believed in Frost, and this was supposed to be a big year for him. He had little pressure, as Frost was originally slated as a top six Center. Frost really had an opportunity to showcase himself in a contract year. Unfortunately, it’s been anything but blissful for Frost, but he still has a shot with the lack of center depoth in the organization, with only Sean Couturier, Noah Cates, Scott Laughton, Anthony Richard (At times), and Ryan Poehling being the other big club Centers.
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Massimo Rizzo
Rizzo made his professional debut last night in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 3-0 loss. He has fully recovered from an appendectomy.
