After a brief hiatus, the “Flyers Prospects Mailbag” is back and better than ever. We’ve some fantastic questions this time around.
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
I'm sure you'll get this a lot, but has anyone directly addressed bringing up Myers/NAK with Gordon and Fletcher? (or any other Phantoms for that matter – Misha…)
— Fly Eagles Fly (@LCrocetto67) January 7, 2019
Great question, Lou. With the Flyers continuing their freefall down the standings, the demand for the organization to call up some of its youth is at an all-time high. I reached out to my good friend and PSN colleague, Jamey Baskow, to see what he has heard around the locker room. He explained that although Scott Gordon has addressed questions regarding call-ups, his answers provide very little as to when or if they will happen. As head coach, his knowledge surrounding the matter could be limited. He may not know what Chuck Fletcher has in store. Personally, I feel that a call-up is happening soon. This team can’t continue to put this roster on the ice and expect fans to pay the price of admission to watch them compete.
What should we make of Jay O’Brien? Didn’t get to see much of him so I’m not sure what expectations should be.
— cole (@ckeller29) January 8, 2019
Expectations for Jay O’Brien should still be that of a former 19th-overall pick, high. Concussion problems have placed a damper on his first college season, but that is no fault of his own. Injuries are part of the game, and we need to focus on O’Brien’s play when he’s healthy. He’s still only 19-years-old and has plenty of developing left to do. I’m not ready to change how I view O’Brien and his ceiling until I see more of him. I believe everyone should do the same.
Hypothetical: we stay bad, we win lottery, we draft hughes.
How do you see this changing prospect projections, who's stock rises, who's falls in organization due to the pick?
— Gritworth (@MisterWhitworth) January 8, 2019
Hypotheticals are my favorite! The Flyers staying bad is very likely at this point. Picturing them as the team to win the lottery is not a far-fetched idea at all. If Jack Hughes joins the prospect pool, Philadelphia will have one of the best, if not the best, farm systems in the NHL. It’d be interesting to see what effect drafting Hughes would have at the center position. The Flyers depth at that position, from a prospect standpoint, would be unbelievable. As of now, I have Morgan Frost making the Flyers next season. That could change if Hughes enters the picture. Would they consider moving Frost elsewhere to address another need? What about Nolan Patrick? Philadelphia is not going to want only one proven veteran center on the roster. If we’re looking at Hughes, Frost, and Patrick being good enough to make the roster, we could see one get moved. It won’t be Hughes.
What prospects do you think will have the best shot at the roster next year? Do you think frost has earned more of a look by his performance at WJC?
— Christopher Malanga (@ChrisMalanga19) January 8, 2019
Thanks for the question, Chris. I had Morgan Frost making the roster next year before the World Junior Championships. After his performance at the WJC, I feel even more confident in that prediction. Some of the other prospects I expect to make the team should be with the team right now. I’m talking about the likes of Phil Myers, Nic Aube-Kubel, Mark Friedman, and Mikhail Vorobyev. It may be a stretch to see all four of those players on the Flyers next year, but I’d at least expect two of them to make it.
Is Pascal Laberge alive?
— Clarky (@SaskieFlyBoy) January 8, 2019
Yes, Pascal Laberge is still alive. He is just very injured. He underwent hip surgery in September and is listed as out indefinitely. It’s a shame to see this happen to the young player.
Looking for something in-depth on Ersson, the Swedish goalie
— Shayne Moon (@smoon_shayne) January 8, 2019
I reached out to Shayne and explained that I intend on dedicating a more in-depth piece to Samuel Ersson in the near future. The 19-year-old Swedish netminder is a former fifth-round pick selection of the Flyers and he is on a tear this seasoning in the Allsvenskan. Additionally, he looked great in the World Junior Championships and is proving that Carter Hart isn’t the only goalie stud in Philadelphia’s farm system. I don’t want to go too far in-depth here because I want to save a lot for the feature down the road. However, it will be interesting to see what the Flyers do with Ersson. If they are set on Hart, which they should be, could Ersson be more valuable to the organization as a trade piece? It will be an intriguing angle to follow.
Thank you so much to all of the people who provided questions for Flyers Prospects Mailbag! If you missed out this week, keep an eye on Twitter for my next request for your prospect questions.
Photo Credit USA Hockey/Hockey Canada
