With Training Camp roaring into life down in Vorhees, all eyes are on the center position. Claude Giroux is leading the pack, Kevin Hayes looks to build on a brilliant opening season in Philadelphia, and the return of Nolan Patrick has captured the gaze of just about everyone. But there’s another youngster chomping at the bit to prove his worth this Winter, and his name is Morgan Frost.
With depth now plentiful at center and Scott Laughton also sitting above him on the depth chart, it’s easy to overlook Frost. The 21-year-old is paying no mind to the bigger picture though, approaching this week with a very mature mindset.
“I am here to try to make the Flyers and if that doesn’t happen, we will see what management and coaches decide.” Frost said when asked about the idea of being placed on the Taxi Squad. “My goal is to make the Flyers, so that is all that is on my mind right now.”
In 20 games played in for the Flyers last season, the former first-round pick was electric, notching 2 goals, 5 assists, and a -3 rating. With the Phantoms, Frost had 20 points in 30 games before he was called back up for a second NHL stint.
With a year of professional experience in his back pocket, Frost hit camp with a sense of confidence in his ability.
“Even just having a year under my belt, just the comfortability of knowing what to expect in camp and playing with some of these guys before, I feel stronger and faster and more comfortable.” Frost explained. “The offseason was good. I think I worked hard. I tried to keep my weight at a point where I liked it and just get stronger and faster. I prepared myself well for the season and I feel good out here.”
“I think the thing for me is to just focus on some of the little details and hopefully the offense will come. I am just trying to focus on being a 200 ft player and the details that the coaches share with us before practice. I think I can do some things offensively, but if I can contribute in other ways it will give me a better chance to make the team.”
Interestingly, we recently saw Sam Morin flex from defense to the wing in a bid to keep his hopes of making the roster alive. When asked if he could take a similar path due to the logjam at center, Morgan Frost seemed open to the idea.
“Yeah, I am comfortable with trying to play whatever position they want me to play. I think I’ve obviously played center for most of my life, but I can adapt to wing and whatever gives me a chance to play for this team, I am willing to learn and do. It doesn’t really matter to me. I am just trying to go out there and do my best and work as hard as I can and whatever position that falls under is fine with me.”
The possibility is intriguing. Frost is a rapid center who is excellent when it comes to puckhandling and threading passes through lanes. At 6’0, 185 lbs, he does bare a similarity to both Nic Aube-Kubel, and Travis Konecny in terms of his stature. A move is probably unlikely, but the willingness to make that leap for the betterment of the team really stands out.
It didn’t take long for Morgan Frost to make an impact at the NHL level, scoring on his debut in a game against the Florida Panthers. Since then, he never really looked back.
With the AHL set to return in a slightly bizarre way, a Taxi Squad placing could be far more beneficial to Frost’s development, unless he can go one step further and prove he’s ready for a full-time spot on the roster. Whatever 2021 holds for the AHL all-star, it’s bound to be exciting.
Photo Credit: Alex Mcintyre
