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Flyers former 2014 second round pick Nicolas Aube-Kubel is bursting with confidence heading into these Stanley Cup Playoffs. We already have seen what a confident Aube-Kubel can do this season after his call-up. It was likely at the time of his call-up the Flyers top brass was thinking he would fill in for a week or two then be sent back down to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Well, that was not the case as NAK bursted onto the scene playing great bottom six minutes for the Flyers, while never looking back. NAK averaged 11:17 minutes of ice time this season to be exact. Head Coach Alain Vigneault also never looked back, always keeping Aube-Kubel in the lineup since his call up.
Aube-Kubel is a perfect bottom six player for the Flyers in the post-season. He can score, forecheck with the best of them, as well as, just being that wonderful pesky player we all love and opposing teams hate. The proof is in his numbers as in 36 games Aube-Kubel had 15 points with seven goals and eight apples to make up that total. He also had a +/- of 1 and a CF% of 50. Not to shabby for a player that some fans seemed to forget about. Aube-Kubel also looked like a goal scorer at times, as some of his goals scored this season were done by hitting the perfect spot of the net. Granted that shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who followed his junior career as Aube-Kubel was a mighty fine scorer in the QMJHL. Below Aube-Kubel can be seen scoring his first career goal with a laser into the top corner of the net
NAK has now proven himself to the coaching staff, and has earned at least a starting bottom six role with the Flyers going forward. As our own Jamey Baskow said and I agree, NAK is on a mission. The Flyers youngster had this to say about the postseason, “I’m so excited. I thought about it the whole quarantine. I’m super pumped. I know I’m a good playoff guy. I can bring some depth and intensity. I’m excited to get playing against the other team.” A confident NAK is a scary one as this player is another jack of all trades type. NAK can shoot the puck very well with his now somehow underrated shot, he is a very solid passer, and can of course play with physicality and intensity making him a good playoff guy. Look out opposing teams because this Flyers team is confident, and ready to strike. Aube-Kubel’s quote is just more proof of that.
