When Mark Friedman was recalled on January 8, 2020, the Flyers were hoping he would be able to solidify the bottom Defense pairing until one of Justin Braun or Shayne Gostisbehere returned from injury. What did Friedman establish in his recall? Well, he made quite the impression and received a brand new two–year contract for his efforts.
Friedman, a Right-Handed defenceman, finally got a shot to make an imprint with the orange and black, and boy did he deliver. Drafted by the Flyers in 2014 at 86th overall. Friedman was one of the Phantoms best defencemen before his recall, after a really strong training camp with the big club. For the Phantoms, he registered three goals, to go along with 18 apples in 45 games played last season. Moreover, Friedman may have received an earlier call-up, but seven, at times eight defensemen, blocked him from seeing time with the big club.
The fact is Friedman doesn’t make mistakes. He plays a solid, mistake free game and that’s why the Flyers are high on this young man. Today’s intrasquad scrimmage for Friedman is a big one, and he knows that. Given the unfortunate situation to Shayne Gostisbehere (Not Playing) maybe Friedman sees more playing time, which is good for him beings on the bubble of the 23 man roster. He has an offensive part to his game, hence his first career NHL point during his first recall last season on Connor Bunnaman’s first career NHL goal. Tony Androckitis a beat writer for insideahlhockey.com said to us last week in a podcast that Friedman has a feisty part to his game, as well.
A 5’10, 192 pound native of Toronto in Friedman turned pro in 2017. The play of Friedman could allow Fletcher to make a defencemen expendable, so that Fletcher could use that cap space to obtain a top six Forward if need be, or to plug a hole elsewhere within the lineup. Friedman came into this unusual training camp on the outside looking in. He was given a shot in the exhibition game to impress, and he did just that after another mistake free game. Was he flashy? No, he just gets the job done. Friedman is not the flashiest Defenceman, but he was a darn good one for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season. For his efforts, Friedman was the Phantoms best Defenseman by far last season.
Click here to shop for our latest sporting apparel, and accessories for Flyers Nitty Gritty
Flyers fans Friedman’s chance will come in time, and he will not give up his dream of playing full-time in the NHL, he’s come too far. Friedman can provide a much needed spark to this club if he gets the chance in the playoffs, and he can kill penalties, as well. All in all, I believe he will make the 23 man roster barring injury, as he’s no longer waiver exempt. This intrasquad scrimmage will show just how good he can be.
Flyers Notes:
Wade Allison will not play with what is thought as a suspected lower body injury, pet Bill Meltzer.
Shayne Gostisbehere (Undisclosed), Tanner Laczynski (Recovering from core muscle surgery in the offseason), and Isaac Ratcliffe (Fractured rib) will also not play tonight in the scrimmage.
