Have you ever seen that GIF where the boy has a stick and is pointing it at an object, telling it to do something? That is the current state of the Philadelphia Flyers.
To put it bluntly, the orange and black are making a complete mess out of the 2018-19 season. Everyone thought a lightning rod had been struck with the firings of Ron Hextall and Dave Hakstol, and the call-up of Carter Hart. For the first time all season, there was a buzz of energy in the Wells Fargo Center. Unfortunately, that excitement and intensity lasted all of three games. Now the Flyers are right back to where they started, swan-diving in the standings and appearing uninspired.
It’s been said a thousand times already but it’s time for Chuck Fletcher to do what the Flyers hired him to do, make the necessary changes. Listen, we’d all love to see some flashy trade, possibly getting rid of Wayne Simmonds or Jakub Voracek. That still might happen but trades don’t just occur when you want them to. It takes two teams to tango and Fletcher could be having difficulty finding a trade partner. While the Flyers General Manager works tirelessly to make a trade, there is still something that can be done immediately. Promote some of the prospects making their way in Lehigh Valley.
If the season is lost for Philadelphia, which seems to be the case, it is the perfect time to give some young talent an opportunity. Here are some Phantoms that we could be seeing with the Flyers soon.
Philippe Myers
This one goes without saying. Myers has deserved an opportunity for a while now. Critics will try to draw attention to the flaws in his game. I mean he’s 21, of course, he has flaws. I’m not sure if you’ve seen Philadelphia’s defense lately but it’s full of flaws. I’d rather give this top prospect the opportunity to work out his kinks in the NHL then keep giving ice-time to the likes of Andrew MacDonald.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Here’s a guy that probably shouldn’t have been called back down in the first place. Aube-Kubel started to find his groove in Philadelphia early this season and then was sent back down to Philadelphia. Is he going to light up the scoreboard right away? Probably not, but he can certainly make an impact on the Flyers if he’s given a legitimate opportunity. Again, he’s a much better option than some of the players taking up roster space now.
Mark Friedman
Friedman is another Phantoms blueliner garnering some attention and having a strong season. Personally, I’m calling up Myers first and I don’t know if the Flyers would seriously bring them both up. However, if Fletcher decides he’s going to just give the youth a shot and focus his attention on next season, Friedman could be a player that receives a promotion.
Mikhail Vorobyev
Vorobyev is another prospect whose opportunity in the NHL was short-lived at the beginning of the season. The same critics of Myers will flood your Twitter timeline with Vorobyev criticisms, pointing out all the reasons he’s not ready for the NHL. However, I’ll say it again, I’d rather watch him work his butt off and develop while playing for the Flyers than watch the same veterans make the same mistakes.
It’s the perfect time for the Flyers to give some of the prospects in Lehigh Valley a promotion. What does the team actually have to lose at this point? Here’s to hoping Fletcher makes it happen!
Mandatory Photo Credit: Alex Mclntyre
