Tanner Laczynski had tons of pressure on him the moment his Senior season ended for Ohio State University last season. A once late round draft pick from the 2016 NHL Draft, in Laczynski has always believed in his skills, and it appeared Chuck Fletcher did too, “I don’t know if they need a year or two of seasoning,” Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher said last season in a conference on Laczynski and Wade Allison. “These are players that will be 23-years-old next season. They both have put a lot of time in it at the collegiate level. They both have size and strength attributes that typically takes a 19 and 20 year old kids a lot longer to acquire. They’re men. They are good hockey players. I expect that they’ll challenge for spots right away. Whether they can make it, time will tell. They’re players that are very close to being able to step in and play.”
Make no mistake about it Fletcher has remained very high on Laczynski, as he should be. Laczynski is a hidden gem, and he is really opening some eyes at the AHL level.with six goals in one week alone. The question remains us he NHL ready? Let’s break this down, and take an extra look.
Laczynski was born June 1, 1997, in Shorewood, IL. The Flyers drafted him in the 6th round of the 2016 NHL Draft. After completing his Junior season with the Buckeyes Men’s Ice Hockey Team, Laczynski amassed 10 goals, and 20 assists for a total of 30 points in 27 games played. These numbers were very strong for an injury-riddled season that he endured in 2018-19. Injuries slowed down his scoring pace, as he finished the season 17 points below his 2017-18 Sophmore season for the Buckeyes. However, even with these strong numbers, Laczynski felt as though he should have performed better.
When Laczynski was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award in the 2020 season he was absolutely elated. Being nominated again for the same award this past season, I’m sure Laczynski shared the same emotion as the previous season. Laczynski finished his Collegiate hockey career as a three time nominee for the Hobey Baker Award that’s pretty darn impressive to say the least.
After watching film on Laczynski from last season at Ohio State, he looked like a player of the future. He was confident, good with his hands, and physical. This is exactly the prototype player that the Flyers are in need of right now. Laczynski stands at 6’1″ and weighs 205 pounds, and he provides size down the Middle or on the Wing if need be. Believe it or not Laczynski is also a good board battler, and his engine never stops running.
It’s no secret that the Flyers have been restocking the farm system for the past few years. In the end Laczynski is learning to play the game the right way with tutelage coming from Head Coach Scott Gordon and Cal O’ Reilly.
Result- Laczynski is NHL ready. The sky is the limit for this young man. He could very well receive a call-up as early as this week, as Fletcher indicated last week in his mid-season presser to the media that some call-ups from the Phantoms were likely inn the coming weeks.
Whatever the case maybe, Laczynski is tearing it up for the Phantoms as he has tallied 6g,4a in 13 games played.
