When thinking of the Flyers overall makeup of their team, some people think of some household names like Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, Carter Hart, and Travis Konecny all for good reasons. One name that doesn’t come to some peoples’ minds is Tyler Pitlick, “We’re physical and grind on the other team,” Pitlick said of the fourth line, “I think it makes it tough on them. It’s a lot of fun playing that way.” This is exactly who Pitlick is, a grinder that is relentless on the puck.
Pitlick has been working his tail off consistently throughout this playoff season. He’s like the energizer bunny, Pitlick never takes a shift off. He hits, creates some scoring opportunities, forechecks well, and board battles well. Pitlick is a coaches dream, and a matchup nightmare for opponents. He loves hemming the opposition in their own zone, “For me, drawing a penalty, getting hits, creating energy for the guys, doing those things,” Pitlick says, “Even just a long shift in the offensive zone, cycling the puck and hitting on the body. Even if you don’t get any chances, just hemming them in their zone gets the guys going too.”
The well, versatile Pitlick, does everything the coaching staff asks of him, and does it well. Mike Yeo wants him to play the Penalty Kill no problem, Vigneault wants him to finish his checks no problem. Pitlick can play in the top nine if he is asked, as well, “Tyler works hard,” Vigneault said back on Thanksgiving, “He does a little bit of everything. He kills penalties, finishes his checks, gives energy, he does everything we ask him to do. Can he play in the bottom nine everyday…well no, but he can do it from time to time as the situation sees fit.”
One thing every NHL team needs for success are solid bottom 9 and 12 lines. Even though, Pitlick may not pot 20-25 goals, he is still very useful, and really makes the bottom 9 and 12 lines thrive. It just makes this young Flyers team that much more difficult to matchup with. It makes their opponents think twice, as to what defensemen to put on the ice for match-up purposes. Even though, the Flyers have shared their ups and downs this playoff season Pitlick still believes in this young group, “I think we have a lot of belief in our group. We know we can score goals. If we get down one or they score one, we just go right back at them. We’re not too worried about it. We just stick to what we do and keep going,” Pitlick said.
Vigneault placed Pitlick in situations he deserved to be in. Whether that be on the third or fourth line, Pitlick has earned the trust from Vigneault. Whatever the case maybe for Pitlick, he will do anything the coaching staff asks of him with no complaints, and with that Pitlick is the definition of a true Professional. Losing is never easy, but re-signing Pitlick should be one of the top priorities for General Manager Chuck Fletcher this offseason.
