Morgan Frost‘s NHL audition is over, for now.
On Wednesday, the 22-year-old center was among 10 players who were reassigned from the Philadelphia Flyers’ training camp roster.
-
Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recapby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 12:42 am
In this episode of Full Press Hockey Weekly, Mike Straw goes solo as he […]
Waiver exempt, Frost was assigned to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. So were four other players — forwards Linus Sandin, Tyson Foerster and Isaac Ratcliffe and defenseman Linus Hogberg.
In addition, four players were placed on waivers. Forwards Gerry Mayhew, German Rubtsov and Connor Bunnaman, and defenseman Adam Clendening will report to the Phantoms if they clear. Center Cal O’Reilly, who is on an AHL contract, was released from his PTO with the Flyers. He will also report to Lehigh Valley.
Frost, Bunnaman Didn’t Do Enough
Frost was coming off a long rehab following shoulder surgery early last season. It was hoped that he could position himself as Kevin Hayes‘ stand-in while the 29-year-old recovers from offseason abdominal surgery.
The return to Philadelphia for the 2017 first-rounder started well enough. He dominated over younger, less experienced competition at both development camp and rookie camp.
Once main camp began, Frost got into three of Philadelphia’s five preseason games, consistently playing in the top six. He was defensively steady but didn’t make an impression as a scorer or a distributor. He failed to pick up a preseason point.
Frost’s AHL demotion is not a death knell for him — far from it. He’ll get lots of quality ice time in Lehigh Valley. With any luck, he continue to grow his game and put his shoulder surgery behind him. The disappointment, for him, is that he couldn’t grab a Flyers roster spot that had his name on it. The opportunity might not be so clear-cut when he’s ready to challenge for an NHL job.
As for Bunnaman, the versatile 23-year-old played 18 games with the Flyers last season. He’s familiar to the coaches and with his hardworking style, he appeared to have the inside track on the 13th forward position.
No dice. Requiring waivers for the first time in his career, Bunnaman will start his season in Lehigh Valley if he goes unclaimed.
Building The Phantoms
Earlier this week, the Flyers assigned eight other players to the Phantoms. That list included their top pick from the 2021 Draft, Samu Tuomaala. Two players were also returned to their junior squads — 2021 fourth-rounder Brian Zanetti and 2020 fifth-round pick Elliot Desnoyers. Both youngsters impressed in their first pro camps, with Desnoyers turning heads in his spirited performance in the Flyers’ overtime win over the Boston Bruins on Monday.
The Phantoms played their first AHL preseason game on Wednesday night, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Mohegan Sun Arena. They’ll host the Penguins in Allentown this Saturday before closing out preseason with a home-and-home set against the Hershey Bears.
After Wednesday’s cuts, 24 healthy players remain on the Flyers’ training camp roster — 13 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies. Before the regular season begins, the roster will need to be cut to no more than 23 players. Salary-cap considerations could cause the club to start the season with 21 or 22 men.
Around FPC
NHL: Senators’ Alex Formenton is Ready For Any Scenario
NHL: Can Elliot Desnoyers Make A Run At A Flyers’ Roster Spot?
KHL:Â Jakub Kovar And Avto Part Ways
NFL:Â Patriots Release CB Stephon Gilmore
Wrestling:Â WWE Draft 2021: Grading the Raw Roster
Remaining Roster Battles
Among the remaining forwards, one name stands out — Jackson Cates. Signed as a college free agent last April after three years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Cates is a 24-year-old center who dressed for four games with the Flyers late last season. He has appeared in two exhibition games so far and, since he’s still around, it’s not unreasonable to think that coach Alain Vigneault will take another look at him in the preseason finale against the Washington Capitals on Friday.
On the back end, journeyman Nick Seeler and highly regarded prospect Cam York are still in the mix, along with the presumed top six. Signed as a free agent this summer, Seeler drew praise from Vigneault during his three preseason appearances. York is waiver exempt. Like Frost, the 20-year-old will most likely be assigned to Lehigh Valley to start the season, where he can play big minutes and work to hone his pro game.
Even without Frost, Alain Vigneault has some options when filling out his slots at center. Sean Couturier is a lock and new arrival Derick Brassard has looked good as a pivot during preseason. Nate Thompson can take care of fourth-line defensive duties while winning more than his fair share of draws.
Vigneault may look to Cates for fill-in duty until Hayes returns; veterans Claude Giroux and Scott Laughton can also move to the middle if needed.
After they close out their preseason in Washington on Friday, the Flyers’ main group will have a week to practice and fine-tune its game before beginning the regular season on Friday, October 15 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Loading...
-
Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recapby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 12:42 am
In this episode of Full Press Hockey Weekly, Mike Straw goes solo as he […]
-
Ep 36: NHL Draft; NHL Free Agency Previewby Full Press Coverage on July 13, 2022 at 11:45 am
In this episode, Mike Straw and Chris Wassel dive into NHL Free Agency and […]
-
Ep 35: Avalanche Win Stanley Cup; Hockey Hall of Fame; NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Jim and Chris react to the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup, the 2022 […]
-
Ep 34: NHL Coaching Retreads; Stanley Cup Final Talkby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Mike, Jim, and Chris discuss the never-ending NHL coaching retreads and […]
-
NHL Offseason: Matthew Tkachuk Traded To Florida, Patrik Laine Staying in Columbus and Moreby Full Press Coverage on July 24, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Jim is back once again joined by C.C. Hawkley of Full Press Hockey to […]
-
NHL Free Agency Frenzy Reviewby Full Press Coverage on July 15, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Jim is back once again to discuss NHL Free Agent Frenzy and where some of […]
-
Ep 75: Bergeron Undecided? David Krejci and NHL Free Agency Primerby Full Press Coverage on July 13, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the latest on Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and […]
-
Ep 74: Bruce Cassidy Fired; Bergeron Returning?; Bruins Front Office Blameby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 5:48 pm
Ian and Chris finally react to the firing of Bruce Cassidy as well as the […]
-
S3Ep35 - NHL Offseason Editionby Jim Biringer on July 18, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Jim is joined by Marc Weiss and Coach Jay as they discuss the NHL […]
-
S3E34 - Colorado Avalanche Win Stanley Cupby Jim Biringer on July 4, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Jim is back once again to discuss the Colorado Avalanche winning the […]
-
Episode #389 - The Finaleby Full Press Coverage on July 26, 2022 at 2:27 am
It's time for us to wrap up another 4th Line show. This week we take one […]
-
Episode #388 - The 2022 NHL Free Agency Roadtripby Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 2:08 am
NHL teams got busy this week as they tried to sign all of the free agents! […]
-
Episode #387 - The 2022 NHL Draftby Full Press Coverage on July 8, 2022 at 2:10 am
It's draft night! We look back on the news of the week, as well as the […]
-
Episode #107: A Fine Championshipby Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 4:38 am
For the first time since 2019, a new Calder Cup champion has been crowned! […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Episode #107: A Fine Championshipby Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 4:38 am
For the first time since 2019, a new Calder Cup champion has been crowned! […]
-
Episode #106: If You Can't Beat Them, Become Themby Full Press Coverage on June 18, 2022 at 5:55 am
23 playoff teams are now down to just two. It's the 2022 Calder Cup Finals […]
-
Ep 60: #KrejciForever and Raised Expectationsby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Ian and Chris talk about the Bruins post trade deadline turnaround and […]
-
Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Ian and John discuss Tom Brady on his 45th birthday and ask the […]
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Vin Scully, Tom Brady's birthday, and […]
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Ian and John react to the passing of Celtics' legend, Bill Russell.
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Celtics' legend Bill Russell and the […]