After a hard fought win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on a back end of a back to back in the sunshine state. The Flyers may be in need of a jump start. No not to their cars, but to save their season. Look no further than the farm to aide the Flyers for help in an area that requires immediate attention. What exactly is the crisis? Consistent secondary scoring.
It’s no secret that the Flyers top line is the engine that runs the orange and black. Of course, Jakub Voracek on the second line is a beast, as well. With that being said here are the Flyers point leaders:
Claude Giroux and Voracek- 46
Sean Couturier- 36
Shayne Gostisbehere- 29
Wayne Simmonds- 23
Valtteri Filppula- 17
As one can see the orange and black aren’t balanced scoring wise throughout all four lines. The Flyers have the 17th best offense in the NHL, as they are averaging 2.79 goals per game. Moreover, they have tallied 106 goals on the season, which is good enough for eight goals below the league average of 114.
The orange and black must improve their secondary scoring through the next 44 games, or they may face consecutive years of not making the playoffs. Well, help could be on the way in the form of an in-house move. How about calling up Forward Mike Vecchione from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms?
Mike Vecchione was born on February 25, 1993. The Flyers signed Vecchione as an undrafted free agent to a one year deal on March 31, 2017. Formerly a Union Dutchman, Vecchione made his NHL debut on April 4, 2017. He registered 0 points in two games played for the Flyers last season.
Fresh off him signing a two year-two way contract on July 1, 2017, Vecchione was a shoe in candidate to make the Flyers out of training camp. However, the orange and black were fortunate enough to scoop up Nolan Patrick with the second pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Patrick took Vecchione’s roster spot out of training camp, thus sending Vecchione to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for more seasoning to start the 2017-18 season. The move paid off in a big way for his development, as Vecchione is averaging almost a point per game with the Phantoms with registering 8 goals, and 15 assists for a total of 23 points in 29 games played.
This young stud in Vecchione is proving to be worthy of a look in the NHL. He has performed well for the Phantoms, and Vecchione should be given a shot with the big club. The Flyers gave Danick Martel a shot, so why not Vecchione? The orange and black have to become more consistent, or they will be doomed for playoff hockey.
To make room for Vecchione the Flyers wouldn’t have to clear space for him. Their current roster sits at 22, which is one below the acceptable NHL limit of 23. Moreover, all it would take is either Dale Weise or Jori Lehtera to be a healthy scratch, thus giving Vecchione the shot he deserves. Vecchione has NHL experience, and he could be an asset down the stretch.
With this season being a rebuild season, the Flyers should keep Vecchione with the big club for the remainder of the season. It was never about this year, rather it was about the future. So what time is a better time than now, to make the move towards a better future. One thing is certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Icon Sportswire via AP Images
