The Flyers drafted Morgan Frost with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 draft. Frost was projected to be a 2nd-round pick, but the Flyers saw something in him and decided to take him at #27.
The 22-year-old forward is skillful playmaker who has the ability to put the puck in places for his teammates to make plays and he can also score some creative goals.
Frost was an exciting pick for the Flyers, but he’s been off to a slow start while being called up from the Phantoms. Even though he’s having a slow transition to the NHL doesn’t mean that the Flyers should give up on him.
Junior Career
Frost played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL from 2015-2019. His play improved massively during those years alongside his prospect status. He put up back-to-back 100+ point seasons in 2017-2018 (112pts), and 2018-2019 (109pts).
He also made the roster for Team Canada at the 2019 World Junior Hockey Championship.
Morgan Frost makes the NHL Transition
The transition from junior hockey to the NHL hasn’t been anything great. Frost played in 20 games for the Flyers in 2019-2020, scoring only 7 points (2G, 5A). He also spent time down with the Phantoms that year where he played in 41 games and scored 29 points (13G, 16A.)
He was able to show his skillfulness and playmaking abilities with the Phantoms that scouts had been praising before.
Frost was called back up to the Flyers early on in the 2020-2021 season when Sean Couturier went down with an injury. Frost then injured his shoulder in his second game after being called up and went on to miss the rest of the season.
What’s happened so far this season
With Nolan Patrick being traded last summer, a spot opened up on the roster and it looked like Frost would fill in that gap. However, Chuck Fletcher decided to sign Nate Thompson and Derick Brassard instead.
Fletcher didn’t want to rush Frost back too quickly because of his surgery earlier in the year and thought that the additions of veterans (Thompson and Brassard) would be better for the team.
The Flyers have been hit hard with injuries this year, especially at the center position. Frost has been one of those players called up to fill in more than once. He’s deserved being called up due to his play with the Phantoms this season. Scoring 19 points (6G, 13A) in 24 games.
The Phantoms have also been struggling this year, but Frost has stepped up his game and has been a big contributor to the team.
When being called up to the Flyers this season, Morgan Frost has experienced some struggles. He’s played in 32 games this season and has scored 8 points (2G, 6A). He’s made a few costly turnovers and his speed hasn’t been making up for his lack of size.
He was called up at the end of November and played in 26 games. Then he was sent back down to the Phantoms for the All-Star break.
Expectations were that Morgan Frost would be called up after the break, but he stayed down in Lehigh Valley. He was called up again two weeks after the break and then sent down yet again.
Frost was called up again last Friday because of a Scott Laughton injury. He was centered between Oskar Lindblom and Travis Konecny in a 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. He also saw playing time on the left-wing with Claude Giroux and Konecny against the Canadiens in a 4-3 loss on Sunday, where he shined.
Morgan Frost was very noticeable on the ice while playing with Giroux and Konecny. He was buzzing all over the ice and this was his best game for the Flyers in months. Playing with Giroux makes almost everyone better and it was great to see that happening with Frost.
He even set up a goal for Giroux, which was his 900th point with the Flyers. There’s no doubt that Frost and Giroux have chemistry together.
The Flyers need to keep Morgan Frost on the roster
Morgan Frost has admitted he hasn’t played well during some of his times being called up, and that’s a good thing. The main problem isn’t Frost having struggles, it’s the constant switching between the Phantoms and Flyers and not getting enough playing time when with the Flyers.
When Frost plays with experienced players in the top-6, you can see the confidence that he gains and he’s able to display his skills. When he’s in the bottom-6, he struggles and looks lost.
The constant swapping between teams is also hindering Frost’s performance. Whenever he starts producing with the Phantoms, he gets called back up to the Flyers. Then when he’s on the Flyers playing in a lesser role, he struggles and then is eventually sent back down so he can get more playing time and focus on developing his skills.
The only way Frost is going to adapt and become a better NHL player is by keeping him up with the Flyers for the rest of the year. The Flyers are way out of playoff contention, so this is the perfect time to let Frost gain more experience playing in a top-6 role.
If Giroux doesn’t end up being traded at the deadline, it would be great for Frost to stay on a line with the captain for the rest of the season to improve his skills and performance.
Looking Ahead
Frost has the potential to be a top-6 forward on the Flyers for a long time. He won’t get any better by being sent down to the Phantoms just to be called up a few weeks later. His time to stay in the Flyers starting lineup is now.
He should also be kept out of trade discussions as the trade deadline is next Monday. The Flyers would be making a mistake by moving the 22-year-old to another team like they have with many young talented players who struggled early in their careers before.
Moving Frost this early in his career would backfire for the Flyers.
Photo Credit: Alex McIntyre
