Morgan Frost is progressing; GM Chuck Fletcher says some Phantoms could soon get a chance with the Flyers | On the Fly
Unless the Flyers improve, expect management to dip into the farm system.
The way Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher explained it, we’re three weeks from the trade deadline and it’s a seller’s market. He might be interested in dealing, but nobody’s calling back. Sounds like my high school love life.
Got news for Flyers fans yearning for a top-4 defenseman: This team is not a Mattias Ekholm or John Klingberg away from shooting up the East Division standings. (Though Fletcher would vault to instant popularity if he found a way to bring in Buffalo center Jack Eichel.)
The Flyers need more than one defensemen willing to make opponents pay for crowding the crease. An ability to move the puck out of the zone with regularity wouldn’t hurt.
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— Ed Barkowitz (flyers@inquirer.com)
Morgan Frost progressing; GM says some Phantoms could be up in a ‘week or two’
Morgan Frost, two months removed from shoulder surgery, will begin skating in a few weeks, Fletcher said Wednesday. Frost should be back to regular hockey activities by the end of May.
Now whether the Flyers still will be playing in late May isn’t likely given that they are 4-8-1 since the start of the month. Only the NCAA has had a worse March. But at least Frost is progressing from the dislocated shoulder he suffered after a seemingly innocuous hit by Buffalo’s Jake McCabe on Jan. 21.
“That will give him a full summer to rehab and train like he normally would,” Fletcher said. “He would be through the rehab process and he’ll be able to work on his strength, speed and quickness and get ready for camp next year. He’s doing very well, probably a little bit ahead of schedule.”
Frost, a 2017 first-round pick, is probably the Flyers’ top prospect at forward, though some Phantoms players are pushing for that distinction.
Zayde Wisdom, for one. The 18-year-old rookie scored his seventh goal of the season Wednesday night, playing in his 14th game.
The Phantoms have had four games in the last two weeks canceled or postponed, which is stunting the evaluation process.
“I don’t think some of them have the game reps that we hoped they would have at this time to maybe factor into a call-up role right now,” Fletcher said. “They are gaining experience. They are gaining games. They’re getting some of that now. Maybe in the next week or two, some of those kids will get a chance to play up here.”
As poorly as the Flyers defense has played, the forwards could use a jolt of energy. Wisdom, 18, might be a little too young. But it’d be something to talk about besides turnovers and goaltenders.
Things to know
Fletcher takes the blame for the inconsistent season. Says it all starts with him.
Mike Sielski: He’s not responsible for creating this swamp, but Fletcher is charged with accelerating the rebuild that his predecessor, Ron Hextall, initiated. He has been weighed down by the same shackles that the Flyers attached to themselves years ago. Consider two.
The Shesterkin’s about to hit the fan as the Rangers get their No. 1 goalie back and they come to town hot on the Flyers’ tails.
Flyers continued their March to oblivion with a loss to the Devils.
Loved this from the other night. Dan Girardi is retired and still getting paid by two teams. Chef’s kiss.
Around the division
Top four qualify for playoffs
1. N.Y. Islanders (46 points, 33 games played): Whatever understandable dislike Flyers fans have for the rival Islanders should be mitigated with injured Isles captain Anders Lee setting up college scholarships in memory of a young man who passed away three years ago from cancer. Watch this video and you’ll never yell about the Leon Stickle game again. Probably.
2. Washington (44 points, 31 games played): The Caps have had a few days off since Saturday when their 7-game win streak ended. T.J. Oshie and Alex Ovechkin practiced Wednesday after missing Tuesday’s session. Sounds like load management.
3. Pittsburgh (42 points, 33 games played): Sidney Crosby scored his eighth goal in 12 games on Wednesday and is at 1,297 career points in 1,016 games.
4. Boston (36 points, 28 games played): The Bruins have been on a COVID-19 hiatus since March 18. Had a rare night practice on Wednesday and will host the Islanders (knock on wood) on Thursday.
5. Flyers (34 points, 31 games played): Closer to seventh place than third.
6. N.Y. Rangers (32 points, 31 games played): Numerology alert: The Rangers have played three games since they beat the Flyers, 9-0, on March 17. The Flyers have played four. Each team has scored a total of nine goals in those games.
7. New Jersey (28 points, 30 games played): The Devils have won four of five and are feeling good about themselves. “Guys are starting to feel confident with what we are trying to do,” forward Michael McLeod said after Tuesday’s victory over the Flyers. “Everyone seems like they are clicking the last couple of games.”
8. Buffalo (16 points, 31 games played): The Sabres are on an 0-13-2 run, which is the worst in the shootout era (since 2005-06). Buffalo will host the Flyers on Monday and Wednesday.
Flyers’ next five
Tonight: vs. N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
Saturday: vs. N.Y. Rangers, 1 p.m. (NBCSP)
Monday: at Buffalo, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
Wednesday: at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. (NBCSP locally, NBCSN nationally)
Saturday, April 3: at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. (NBCSP)
From the mailbag
This dude [Chuck Fletcher] is feeling heat and thinks he has to make a splash to get out from under. I can’t tell you how queasy this makes me. This squad is not one or two pieces away from contending for anything but a first-round playoff exit. Try to move some older, expensive players for something of value to build on. Other than that, let it ride for this season and make over the team in the offseason.
***
On offense we have depth. The problem is we have four third lines! Depth doesn’t win Cups. Talented goal-scoring depth wins Cups. On defense, we have a high octane, move-the-puck-up-the-ice turnover machine, that can not clear the net. I bleed orange, but i am realistic. We are just a playoff team. Nothing else.
— Ted Smith via email
Send questions or observations via Twitter to beat writers Ed Barkowitz (@EdBarkowitz) or Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull).