First Maksim Sushko, then Tanner Laczynski, now Wade Allison. The big man, 6’2 205 pound, from Myrtle, MB, CAN, Wade Allison has finnnnnnnalllly made his NHL debut, and boy did he rock it. Finally right, after much speculation for the past few years if Allison would sign or not with the orange and black. Allison is physical, good along the boards, and creates a net front presence that the Flyers could use in the future.
The young 23-year-old in Allison just wants to show people that the Flyers did not make a mistake by drafting him, and that he is healthy. If a person has seen Allison play in prior years, then he or she would notice his gifted hands. He can shoot and pass on top of being a physical guy. Allison has enjoyed a great season for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms thus far by registering four goals, and five assists for a total of 9 points in eight games played. He has really enjoyed the pressure of his first year as a professional, after recovering from ankle surgery that kept him out through Flyers camp, and the first part of the AHL season.
Hopefully, all can now see the light at the end of the tunnel with Allison’s injuries finally in the rear view mirror. Allison is more than experienced enough to handle the rigors of a full AHL season, and a sustainable future in the NHL. He’s a power forward, and that is quite evident by what Alain Vigneault says about him, “He’s a Power Forward, he can shoot, and is physical.”
As stated above Allison is a Power Forward that almost tallied his first NHL goal, but Tristan Jarry robbed him off a point blank save. He skates well, and has a knack for the net. The line of Oskar Lindblom, Nolan Patrick, and himself had lots of chemistry last night before Patrick had to leave the game after taking a puck to the head off a Phil Myers shot.
People have to remember that Allison is a man at the age of 23, he’s not a kid at the age of 18. He played against men in the NCAA, so he is farther ahead in his development, as opposed to an 18-year-old. Allison looked good last night, by logging 11:13 of ice time, registered one hit, four shots on net, and garnered 2:05 of Power Play time. He can skate, that’s the difference between him and a lot of prospects too, and to pair that with his gifted hands. The sky is the limit for Allison, “It’s been a long road,” Wade said following the game, ” A lot of ups and a lot of downs. I did it. It’s pretty cool. Something I’ll remember forever. Something that no one can ever take from me. It’s pretty special.” “I called my parents,” when asked if he talked to anyone after he found out he was going to make his NHL debut. “They said they were proud of me.”
This is a great day for the proud orange clad fans, as they will see the big man in Allison, a 2016 second round draft pick, donning a Flyers sweater for years to come (Hopefully). The Flyers could really use his net front presence, and the physicality he brings on a nightly basis. Again kudos to former General Manager Ron Hextall on finding yet another stud at the 2016 draft.
What about Rattcliffe. How is he progressing? Because in Allison and Rattcliffe, we should have two physical power-forwards with skill!