Photo Credit: NHL.com
Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher had an itchy trigger finger to day again, and he plucked an experienced Center/Winger Nate Thompson off the free agent market. He is familiar with the organization as he was obtained at the 2019-20 trade deadline.
Thompson is an intelligent hockey player. He is strong defensively, and really has a keen hockey sense. Thompson isn’t the fastest skater, but he can pot goals in tight spaces, and is tough to move off the puck. He plays a two-way game, and possesses puck skills to succeed at the NHL level. For his efforts, Thompson can play the penalty kill, and he is a sizable Forward down the middle as he stands 6’1 217 pounds. Another area of his game that is sometimes underappreciated is faceoffs. Thompson is one of the best in the business at winning faceoffs. This past season, Thompson owned a 55.1 winning percentage on draws.
This 36-year-old in Thompson is a solid versatile, bottom 9-12 player that plays the game the right way, and is good in the locker room. Moreover, Thompson will fit in well in Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s system, as he is a defensive first type of player. However, Thompson can pot a big goal or two, as well. This past season he registered two goals, and three assists for five points in 45 games played. Fire Center manager took Fletcher mentioned that the penalty killing missed Nate Thompson this past season, thus that would be the main reason behind thus signing.
Thompson was also an Assistant Captain for the Montreal Canadiens. His leadership could really rub off on the youth, and this addition also gives the youth less pressure to succeed. The playoffs are a different atmosphere, and the Flyers should not be reliant on the youth for immediate success in the post-season.
Again Thompson wasn’t the flashiest, or sexiest addition by any means. However, he checks off boxes of need for the Flyers overall. Now it’s time to see how this addition helps the Flyers restore leadership in the locker room.
