Photo Credit: Our very own Shaylah Rice
Morgan Frost was rewarded with a new two-year contract worth $4.2 million ($2.1 million AAV) this past offseason. 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. However, he was benched again this past Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This happened to be his 11th benching this season.
Frost was in the lineup against the Calgary Flames and he potted a big goal and it felt good. He said let’s go after doing a Danny Briere signature following his goal.
Flyers head coach John Tortorella said that Morgan Frost wanted to have a meeting with him, as to exactly why he was/is constantly getting benched. Tortorella was thrilled that Frost came to his office and wanted to have a meeting, “I met with Frosty today. It’s a big step for Frosty. He came to me for a meeting,” Tortorella said before Saturday’s game. “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 is great to hear, the two are hashing it out like men. Tortorella can appear to be scary at times, so I give Frost a lot of credit for having the guts to go talk to his coach about seeing what he needs to improve to stay in the lineup. Frost and Tortola didn’t complain to the media about one another, this is a way to get to know each other better, and let both know where each side stands.
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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 following Saturday’s game
It’s great to hear that Frost has taken his benching on the chin. Frost has had consistency problems and timing issues throughout his NHL career, to which he understands that. However, that was then and last season Frost amassed 46 points in 81 games played (19g,27a). He was consistent, for the most part, and really showed promise for this young rebuilding Flyers team. Frost is arguably one of the most talented forwards the Flyers have at this time. He can make something out of nothing, as he has good on-ice awareness. Frost has a ton of skill, and his hands remind of Claude Giroux’s with the way he razzles and passes the puck.
The good thing is, Frost appeared to have gained much confidence after having this meeting with Tortorella. Maybe this will be a confidence booster for this young man and he rightfully needs one. This does not mean this is the end of the road for Frost, this can only help him moving forward within the organization.
Maybe this will help him become more loose and confident. His play making ability has always been there, his defensive side of the park is improved greatly this season, as well. One thing that has lacked is consistency. A player with frost talents should be noticed just about every game, and that hasn’t been the case this season. Maybe he’s putting too much pressure on himself, maybe he’s scared to make a mistake. Whatever the case may be, both Tortorella and Frost have cleared the air, and that is a good thing.
One area that John Tortorella has excelled at is communication with the youth. One area that Tortorella, exclaimed before the game against Carolina on Tuesday night was that he wanted Frost to play with more pace. Especially, with a very fast team in the Carolina Hurricanes. This was one main reason he was re-inserted into the lineup.
Frost is a young player that is supposed to have top six abilities. Former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck 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 in 2021-22, 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.”
