The Flyers signed Rodrigo Abols to a one-year, two-way $775,000 contract this past Summer, with the hopes of providing Centering depth within the organization if an injury arose.
Abols, at the ripe age of 29 made his NHL debut last night against the Detroit Red Wings. Scott Laughton did not play, as he was attending to a personal matter, hence Abols being recalled from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
It’s not your ordinary debut when you have your wife and three-year-old in the stands cheering you on for the solo lap,” Abols said following his NHL debut. “Hopefully, I can inspire someone. I’ve always looked at Pierre Bellamare, similar story.”
Just who Abols? Can he Stick with the big club the rest of the season?
Abols recorded 26 points (14g-12a) in 50 games with the Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) last season. He provides much needed size down the middle for the Flyers, as Abols stands at 6’3 and weighs 205 pounds. He’s stocky and he loves to hit. Just exactly what the doctor ordered for the orange and black.
His rough and tough. Style was on the center stage last night. Abols played well at both ends of the ice, especially in the Flyers own zone. He made a few good defensive plays, while being physical, throwing players against the boards, as well.
This Centerman is a nice depth piece for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, but with the way he played maybe he makes someone expendable, yes he played that good last night. If he were to crack the main roster he could play within the bottom 6, like Tanner Laczynski was. The difference between the two are night and day. Abols is gifted offensively, and he could jump start the lackluster power play by standing or camping out in front of the net. This is one main area that the Flyers have struggled with since James van Riemsdyk departed.
“I liked him,” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said last night. “I think he understands the game. Big guy, I think we need to get bigger as a team as we move along here. Asked the right questions, I thought he handled himself real well.”
Abols was originally drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 2016. He likes to board battle, and Abols is a good puck handler. His bread and butter is carrying the puck into the zone, and it’s tough to get the puck away from him. Abols has acute vision of the ice, and seems to always make the right play.
This was not a bad signing by any means means after a strong SHL season, so let’s see if he could be utilized a lot more within the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline.
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