Photo Credit: Our very own Shaylah Rice
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Head Coach in Ian Laperrière said of Morgan Frost, “He (Morgan Frost) was physical,” Laperrière said. “I just talked to him before I got up here and he felt great. He was a little bit tired, like I gave him quite a bit of ice-time, which I wanted to test him in different situations I would like to see him in, and management would like to see him too. I thought he looked great…He’s such a smart player, he can adjust. I’m just happy for him that he put the work in.”
For his efforts, Frost was rewarded with a new two-year contract worth $4.2 million ($2.1 million AAV). This was a great deal for both Frost and Flyers. He didn’t want to miss one day of camp, thus getting on the bad side of John Tortorella. However, he was benched for over two weeks, and missed about six games. Yes, in the end it turned into a benching, regardless of how nice anyone puts it.
Frost returned to the lineup against the Carolina Hurricanes, and struggled in the first period creaitng turnover after turnover. That was to be expected with missing time, but he did rebound and put forth a solid game for his efforts, “He made some plays. He struggled early, turned some over, which I’m trying to give him some leeway because I want us to be more offensive,” Tortorella said of Frost following practice. “I thought he ended up making some plays during the game. I thought he did some good things holding onto pucks. A very fast game and I thought he handled himself there too. I thought he handled himself well.”
He has had consistency problems and timing issues throughout his NHL career, mainly due to missing time with an injury. However, that was then and last season Frost amassed 46 points in 81 games played (19g,27a). He was consistent, for the most part, and really showed promise for this young rebuilding Flyers team. Frost is arguably one of the most talented forwards the Flyers have at this time. He can make something out of nothing, as he has good on-ice awareness. Frost has a ton of skill, and his hands remind of Claude Giroux’s with the way he razzles and passes the puck.
“I thought he handled himself well.” – John Tortorella
The good thing is, Frost should gain much confidence after a very good season, finally, for the orange and black. This new contract is a confidence boosting contract for the young 24-year-old and one the Flyers would hope to be cost saving for a potential 50-70 point producer, possibly more. A three-year deal just didn’t make sense with Frost only being 24-years-old it would have taken Frost out of Restricted Free Agent status (27-years-old) when the contract would expire. However, he was mysteriously benched last night with Sean Couturier coming back from an injury that sidelined him for a handful of games.
To be honest, Frost looked loose and that the pressure of succeeding was off his shoulders after John Tortorella patted him on the back following a rough start. It appeared that he wasn’t concerned about making a mistake following that interaction with his head coach. Finally, Frost gathered steam and made some nice zone entries, especially on the struggling power play. Frost’s confidence with the puck was seen after being benched. He became physical, and more often than not made tape to tape passes.
One area that John Tortorella has excelled at is communication with the youth. One area that Tortorella, exclaimed before the game against Carolina on Tuesday night was that he wanted Frost to play with more pace. Especially, with a very fast team in the Carolina Hurricanes. This was one main reason he was re-inserted into the lineup.
Frost is a young player that is supposed to have top six abilities. Former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher originally said he didn’t want Frost to be a yo-yo, and if he was recalled to the Flyers then Frost would be up for good. Well, well, well, he was treated like a yo-yo at times in 2021-22, so much for that. In hindsight what it did was give Frost more experience, and that’s something that Frost didn’t take lightly, “Obviously, there’s highs and lows during the season where maybe you’re not really sure if you feel that way, but I think towards the end of the year, definitely I’m starting to feel a lot more comfortable,” said Frost. “I think at this point, I can say I feel confident saying I feel like an NHL player. I’m happy about that.”
His confidence was back, and confidence is key for everyone no matter what you do in life. Following his benching’s it is understandable for Frost to tighten his stick, or put a lot of pressure for him to succeed offensively in his return to the lineup. Sitting Frost does not increase his trade value. The only way to increase his trade value to get even close to what the Flyers want for him is by playing him, with the hopes that he can recreate his success from last season. Banking on a player with top six abilities would be beneficial in this case, especially for how talented Frost is.
It’s hard to find confidence, if a player like Frost who can create offensively, is benched here and there throughout the course of the season, especially with the team struggling to find offense at the moment. Frost should play, and that has become more evident after a 2-1 drubbing to the lowly San Jose Sharks, that gathered their first team victory of the season last night.
“I like to think of myself as a team guy. I’m not sitting in there not cheering when the boys score,” Frost exclaims. “I’m still happy. We have such a great group of guys in here. Even the guys that maybe I had a chance of coming in for, I love all these guys. I am still cheering for them. I think I can make an impact here.”
The Flyers are now in a conundrum or crossroads with Frost. Frost’s camp has not asked for a trade, while the writing appears to be on the wall, at least for the moment with Frost, at least on the surface. Teams have inquired about the services of Frost (Nothing more than a phone call of such), but Danny Briere knows what he wants for Frost. The only avenue the Flyers have left is to play Frost, and hope he starts to produce. This will increase his trade value from now until the trade deadline. The Flyers have no reason to rush a trade for him, as the orange and black are in the midst of a rebuild.
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