Nolan Patrick entered this 2020-21 season with a chip on his shoulder. He wanted to prove to his doubters that he could stay healthy, as well as, produce. Patrick has a world of talent and people have seen flashes of this throughout his two years of playing for the Flyers (2017-18, 2018-19), as he has accumulated 62 points in 156 games played, “See how camp goes and go from there,” Patrick said on the first day of training camp. My gosh has he crushed expectations in the early part of the 2021 season.
Patrick does a lot of things well on the ice. He is a good two-way player as his ability to shut down top lines is quite impressive. Patrick thinks defense first and this cannot be understated. He played on a line with Claude Giroux, and Travis Konecny last night. To no one’s surprise this line was very successful as Patrick potted a big goal in the third period, to which Giroux and Konecny were credited with apples on his goal, “I feel good,” Patrick said following last night’s game, “G makes good plays.”
His second season really has made Patrick a better player this year. He was faced with facing top line after top line on some nights. Patrick closes gaps on players, much like Sean Couturier does so well. Moreover, Patrick finished with career highs in Points (31), Hits (72), TK (40), and Blocks (26). Even with a crazy year with Ron Hextall being fired, Dave Hakstol being fired, Wayne Simmonds being traded, and a locker room that went through influx, Patrick still managed to post career highs in those categories mentioned.
The young 22-year-old in Patrick needed a fresh start this year, and boy has he produced. Patrick has been so good that he is on pace to have a career year, as he looks to put last season behind him. Patrick has tallied five points in seven games played (2g,3a), and fans couldn’t have envisioned a better start for him. He’s off to his best seven game start at this point in his career (2017-18- 1g,2a through seven games, 2018-19- 2g through seven games). Patrick is on pace for a career year in a shortened season, as he entered this season with many questions that ranged from “How many hits can he take” to “Will he ever be the same player again.” Well, Patrick has answered the bell as he continues to find consistency in his game.
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This young 22-year-old in Patrick is just so darn talented. He is a giddy kid, good character guy in the locker room. Let’s hope Patrick continues to his success early in the season, and really takes the next step in his development.
