PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 07: Tyler Pitlick #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers falls to the ice in front of his bench as Artem Anisimov #51 of the Ottawa Senators attempts to play the loose puck on December 7, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers went on to defeat the Senators 4-3. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
When thinking of the Flyers top line, some people think of some household names like Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, and even James Van Riemsdyk. One name that doesn’t come to mind is Tyler Pitlick.
Pitlick will be on the Flyers top line tonight, along side Giroux, and Morgan Frost. Alain Vigneault said that he didn’t think Pitlick, “Was comfortable playing on the left side,” as Charlie O’ Connor from the Athletic pointed out yesterday. Irregardless of how some may feel about this promotion for Pitlick. He has definitely earned this promotion, over the likes of Van Riemsdyk, and Voracek. Pitlick works his butt off consistently.
The well versed Pitlick does everything the coaching staff asks of him, and does it well. Mike Yeo wants him to play the Penalty Kill no problem, Vigneault wants him to finish his checks no problem. Pitlick can play in the top nine if he is asked, but only for a short period of time, “Tyler works hard,” Vigneault said on turkey day, “He does a little bit of everything. He kills penalties, finishes his checks, gives energy, he does everything we ask him to do. Can he play in the bottom nine everyday…well no, but he can do it from time to time as the situation sees fit.”
Will Pitlick play on the top line the entire game against the Colorado Avalanche tonight, maybe…maybe not. Vigneault indicated after yesterday’s practice that he might change the lines midway through the game. Whatever the case maybe for Pitlick, he will do anything the coaching staff asks with no complaints. Pitlick is the definition of a true Professional, and hey he might surprise everyone and pot a goal tonight.
This article was written and published before the injury to Oskar Lindblom, and the David Kase recall
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Have to try something to get Voracek off the top line ! He’s a horrible hockey player for the money they are paying him!