Unfortunately for Flyers fans, playoff hockey will not be making an appearance in Philadelphia this year. With only six games remaining and the Flyers eight points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, making the playoffs just doesn’t seem realistic. However, the future is bright. This week, we will take a look at possible off- season acquisitions; whether or not we could see Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost together with the Orange and Black this year and so much more. So let’s not waste any time. You asked, I answered. Thanks for all your support Flyers fans.
For me personally, I have high hopes that Morgan Frost will make the team out of camp next year. He was an absolute force over the past two seasons for Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and I strongly believe he will be something special. He’s one heck of a playmaker and he can also put the puck in the back of the net; not to mention he’s a great skater. The only question is, where do you put him? It all really depends on what the Flyers do in the offseason.
Morgan Frost’s Stats: (2017-2018/2018-2019) Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds:
2017-2018: GP:67, G:42, A:70, P:112
2018-2019: GP:58, G:37, A:72, P:109
If the Flyers acquire center Matt Duchene in the offseason, I think the right choice would be to have Frost start the year in Lehigh Valley. The top three lines would consist of Sean Couturier, Matt Duchene, and Nolan Patrick. Scott Laughton could always move to the wing to make room for Frost but it really isn’t worth it at that point. Frost would be playing on the fourth line and getting minimal playing time which would most likely hinder his development.
On the other hand, if the Flyers go out and acquire LW Artemi Panarin, then there is an opening on the 3rd line. In this case, the center depth would go Couturier, Patrick, Frost, Laughton.
I personally like the second scenario better. The only thing is that Frost must first prove that he belongs with the Flyers by performing well in training camp and preseason games, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. Also, remember that these are just a few likely scenarios and nothing is set in stone.
You can’t really consider him a prospect anymore, but I’ll throw him in here anyway considering he’s played only three career games with the Flyers and has yet to play a game this year. His name, if you haven’t guessed it already, is Samuel Morin. I’m a little weary about including him because his future role with the Flyers is not totally clear. He has to prove he can stay healthy first. He may very well be used as the seventh defenseman, especially if the Flyers go out and get a Top 4 D-man in the offseason. In this case, I could see the Flyers either sending veteran defenseman Andrew MacDonald down to the AHL or buying out his contract.
Finally, I believe we could possibly see Nicolas Aube-Kubel make the Flyers out of camp. Again, this all depends on what the Flyers do in the offseason. He played nine games with the Flyers back in the months of October and November but was eventually sent back down to the Phantoms. Aube-Kubel didn’t play bad hockey, it was just a waste having him up with the Flyers considering he was averaging only 5:35 of total ice time per game. That would most likely be the situation again though, so we’ll see what Fletcher decides to do. If he did make the Flyers, he’d almost certainly be on the fourth line.
In my eyes, the chances are pretty slim to see both guys up with the Flyers by mid-season. If injuries hit hard enough, then sure. Both is a stretch though.
As I mentioned earlier, I believe Frost has a chance to make the team out of camp. That is of course if he puts on a strong showing in the preseason and proves to the Flyers that he is ready to take on an NHL role.
For Joel Farabee, I believe it would be beneficial to him to play a whole season in the AHL and add on some weight/muscle. Can’t hurt right? I’ve been wrong before though.
Here is my prediction. Both Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee will be in Orange and Black at the start of the 2020-2021 season. The only way I can see it happening before that is if the Flyers get hit with the injury bug or both guys just blow everyone’s minds and show that they can make an impact right away or at some point during the 2019-2020 season. Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher isn’t going to have Frost and Farabee play just because the fans want to see them. They’ll have to prove they’re ready.
I wish I had an answer to this. Unfortunately, I do not. The start’s that the Flyers have put together this season are unacceptable. They wait until the third period to wake up and play meaningful hockey and by that time it’s just too late. You might be able to get away with it against some teams, but not against teams like the Lightning or the Capitals to name a couple. If the Flyers want to contend with high-quality teams, they’ll have to find a way to get off to better starts in games. Will there be games where they do start sloppy and take a little while to get there feet wet? Of course, there will be. It happens to the best of the best. The Flyers just have to find a way to limit that amount.
The Flyers will almost certainly go after one of these top guys in free agency. They just have too. They need to add depth. Preferably, I would like to see Fletcher go after Artemi Panarin and settle for Matt Duchene if Panarin isn’t willing to sign here. Both guys would add a significant amount of depth and surely make an impact.
Artemi Panarin: Position-LW (Stats Combined over last two seasons)
Games Played: 154
Goals: 53
Assists: 107
Points: 160
Shots: 406
Artemi Panarin is a proven NHL winger. He’s capable of finding the back of the net while also dishing out assists. He would slot in either on the first or second line next season. In my eyes, if the Flyers decided to acquire Panarin, they could always do some tinkering with the lines and put him with Nolan Patrick and Jake Voracek. That would make for one heck of a second line. That’s just a thought though.
The reason I want Panarin over Duchene is because Panarin won’t take away from the chances of Morgan Frost making the Flyers next year.
If the Flyers decided to go after Duchene, the top three center spots would be filled (Couturier, Duchene, Patrick). The only option would be to put Frost on the fourth line. In my eyes, that would be a waste of time. I’d rather get Panarin and have Frost center the third line.
Matt Duchene: Position- Center: (Stats combined over last two seasons)
Games Played: 149
Goals: 57
Assists: 68
Points: 125
Shots: 354
I already went through the negatives of acquiring Duchene, so let’s talk some positives, shall we? Acquiring a guy like Duchene may take away from Morgan Frost, but it also benefits the Flyers down the middle. In this case, the Flyers center depth chart would look something like this:
Couturier/Duchene/Patrick/Laughton
That isn’t too shabby now, is it? Duchene also brings a lot of speed, something the Flyers are in desperate need of. However, Morgan Frost is also capable of getting on his horse. Enough about him though.
In the end, I believe Panarin would be the better fit for the Flyers simply because he is more willing to shoot (406 to 354 shot advantage over the past two seasons) and he will not prevent Morgan Frost from making the Flyers. However, if the Flyers do decide to go with Duchene, I would be just fine with that. It’s all about adding depth.
Both Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth are set to hit free agency after this season and I can almost assure you neither will be resigned.
Neuvirth, who last played in a game back on January 3rd versus the Carolina Hurricanes, has been plagued with injuries all season long. That’s the story of his life. He can’t seem to ever catch a break. When he’s healthy, he makes a case for a solid “1B”. The key word in the last sentence is “when” which seems to be never.
Brian Elliott, on the other hand, has actually given the Flyers something to think about. Since returning from injury, Elliott has put together a record of 5-3-1, beating the second place Islanders twice, while also recording wins against the Senators, Sabres, and Penguins. He’s been a pleasant surprise of late, to say the least. Although his numbers won’t turn heads, he’s proven that he is still more than capable of being a potential starter for a team in desperate need of a goalie. He would also make for a solid backup. If Elliott had stayed healthy the whole year and played at this level, the Flyers may have very well inked him to a one year deal. Unfortunately, Elliott went down with a lower-body injury in mid-November and missed three months of the season before returning in mid-February. When the Flyers traded for goalie Cam Talbot back in mid-February, that all but spelled out the end of Elliott’s tenure with the Flyers.
As for what prospects/AHL players we could see with the Flyers next season, I’ll go with the two that I mentioned earlier. Morgan Frost and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. In reality, though, it all depends on what the Flyers do in the offseason.
Josh Cush: Facebook
Question: Who do you want at free agency? What holes have to be addressed?
I believe the Flyers need to focus on acquiring a Top 4 D-man and another forward capable of scoring 25+ goals a season. Whether or not the Flyers go out and get both, I’m not so sure. At least one of these holes will almost certainly be filled. If not, the Flyers off-season is a complete bust in my opinion. The time is now to make this team better. Guys like Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek aren’t going to be the players they are now forever.
As for who I want in free agency, I personally want the Flyers to acquire Artemi Panarin. I truly believe he would do wonders for the Orange and Black and really help them take the next step. He’s got tons of skill and has proven that he’s capable of potting at least 25 goals a season.
I think you hit it right on the nail. Sometimes the best play is the easiest play if that makes sense. That’s not always the case, but getting pucks on net is a must if you want to score. The Flyers rank 18th overall in the NHL when it comes to shots per game with 31.4 according to ESPN.com. Personally, I would like to see them rank somewhere within the Top 10 at least. The point is, the Flyers have to be more willing to shoot, and getting a guy as Artemi Panarin should help with that.
To me, their is only one true option and that is Cam Talbot. If the Flyers didn’t believe Talbot had a future in Philly, they never would’ve traded for him. They would’ve just held onto former Flyers goalie Anthony Stolarz and waited until free agency to go out and find there goalie. Of course, the Flyers have to resign Talbot at the end of the season considering he’s a UFA, but I don’t see that being a problem.
Talbot is in the middle of his sixth season in the NHL and has no doubt proven his worth. Just a few years ago, back in the 2016-2017 season, the 31-year-old put together a tremendous season with the Edmonton Oilers going 42-22-8 in a career-high 73 games played, all of which he started. In that year, he allowed his fewest goals against in a season (171) while also making a career high in saves (2,117). That’s pretty impressive if you ask me. He’s undoubtedly a good fit for the Flyers.
In conclusion, the Flyers need to make it a priority to sign Talbot in the offseason. In my eyes, a two or three-year contract would be ideal. Nothing more than that.
Carter Hart needs someone who is both experienced and proven to guide him through the bumps in the road that he will surely face. Not to mention Hart and Talbot have a pretty good relationship as they worked out together this past summer. Next years goalie tandem will be a fun one to watch.
Next Up for the Flyers:
The Flyers return to action tonight as they take on Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is the third and final meeting between these tow teams this season with Toronto leading the season series 2-0. Puck Drop is set for 7PM.
As always, Lets Go Flyers!
