Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
The Flyers signed third/fourth line Center Ryan Poehling to a one-year $1.4 million when free agency opened. Poehling, as Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella mentioned over and over again throughout the course of the season was a man that bet on himself. Tortorella gave Poehling a lot of kudos towards the latter month of the season for only taking a one-year contract initially before he re-signed for two more years with the club back in January.
I wrote a free agency primer before free agency began signaling the Flyers being interested in signing a third/fourth line Center and a depth defenseman. Poehling adds grit and a balance to the fourth line, ”He has a chance to move up or down the lineup, depending on how he plays,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said for the season begin. “I think the type of person he is, he’s a character guy, obviously he showed it by betting on himself. It shows the type of character, he didn’t take the longer, secure deal. He wants to earn it. I think he’ll have that chance with John Tortorella. Torts is fair and Poehling is a guy who’s not afraid to work.”
Poehling, 24-years-old, became a key card for the Flyers, even seeing time on the second and first lines at times, proving the words of Briere to exactly be true that Poehling would move up and down the lineup. He netted 11 goals and registered 17 assists for the Flyers this past season. Poehling was a good utility Center on a team like the Flyers that needed depth at the Center position, “Poehl’s is unbelievable. I think he’s a great player,” Poehling’s linemate Garnet Hathaway said of Poehling at exit interviews.
“I just want to prove myself. I think that’s the biggest thing, you can never bet on yourself too much. I’m excited for the challenge.” – Ryan Poehling said via zoom at his introductory press conference with Philly media
Competition is healthy and it can be a good thing in terms of production, but it’s great for young player like Poehling to prove his worth in the NHL, “Year 1, and it’s already been so much fun throughout the process. Just have a hard-working attitude,” Poehling said of his time in Philadelphia thus far.
“There was a lot of opportunity here and my gut was telling me to come to Philadelphia,” Poehling continues to speak highly of his first full season in Philadelphia. “For me it’s pretty easy if you just come to work and have a good attitude, and let the chips fall your way, trusting God’s plan.”
Poehling and the Flyers are a match made in heaven apparently. This make it or break it type deal turned out to be a good one for the Flyers. Poehling is young enough still to make this contract look like a good one for the Flyers. Both he and Garnet Hathaway have formed a solid duo for the orange and black.
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