Nolan Patrick, Part 2

[ajgoal]

Given Patrick's injury history coupled with this migraine issue, would it make sense at all to try him on the wing rather than center? I don't know if it is physically or mentally less demanding to play on the wing, but losing a center to injury seems to have a bigger impact than losing a winger. Maybe they try and turn him into a top six winger and have someone else fill one of the center spots? Idk, just spitballing here trying to get the most bang for the buck.

Supposedly, the current regime has considered him at wing.

 

[Ghosts Beer]

You let Sushko and Kase play all year overseas. We have enough depth here where they won't be needed.

Let them stay in offensive roles and see if the confidence gained helps them take the next step in development

I agree. Sushko & Kase are not significant prospects & the Flyers aren’t going to want that many rookies in the bottom of the lineup. Especially a short season.

 

[Ghosts Beer]

Supposedly, the current regime has considered him at wing.

In his draft year I wondered if he’d ultimately end up at wing. His effort has been inconsistent, & obviously with his injury history, they may want to reduce his responsibilities. But I’m skeptical he’ll ever come back.

 

[Appleyard]

Ofc... migraine issues might re-occur.

But he does have talent!

Even if just age 19 level this year would be a good 3C for the Flyers.

 

[deadhead]

Just go back to Patrick's CHL season at age 17 (so it wasn't an overage artifact):
72g 41-61 102 +51, PO 21g 13-17 30 +19
(Hawryluk #32 in 2014, outscored him but was 19, turned 20 in January).

 

[Striiker]

Seeing him come back would probably be the most exciting and interesting aspect of this season.

He has the potential to be a massive part of this teams future, if his health allows it.

 

[renberg]

Ofc... migraine issues might re-occur.

But he does have talent!

Even if just age 19 level this year would be a good 3C for the Flyers.

Good post. For some reason people treat Patrick as if he was a banged up twenty-eight year old vet. There aren’t that many miles on him. The hernias were not as serious as a shoulder or knee injury. Migraines are rough but there have been players who have worked their way through them. There’s no reason that NP won’t find a way to do it.

 

[Magua]

Seeing him come back would probably be the most exciting and interesting aspect of this season.

He has the potential to be a massive part of this teams future, if his health allows it.

And it will allow the Flyers to trade Frost.

 

[ajgoal]

And it will allow the Flyers to trade Frost.

Chingachgook.gif

I'm all in on trading Hayes though.

 

[Striiker]

And it will allow the Flyers to trade Frost.

For a LD.

 

[freakydallas13]

Ofc... migraine issues might re-occur.

But he does have talent!

Even if just age 19 level this year would be a good 3C for the Flyers.

My skepticism on Patrick comes purely from his health, his actual on ice play was never an issue for me (and as you have pointed out, is actually pretty good considering his age).

 

[GKJ]

Supposedly, the current regime has considered him at wing.

One of the things that really didn't help him was that Hextall was adamant that he enter the league as a center. It's fine when that works, but when he struggled so much (and had such awful linemates), they did a poor job insulating him and I think that affected him to start his second season. But if I'm recalling right, I believe they were starting to try him with Giroux since finding him wingers was a problem.

Considering they didn't make a move at the center position during free agency, they obviously showed they have some confidence that he's going to play.

I agree. Sushko & Kase are not significant prospects & the Flyers aren’t going to want that many rookies in the bottom of the lineup. Especially a short season.

I guess it depends on what significant prospects are, but I think they feel Sushko is someone they think is closer to the NHL than people think. They're not just running the clock on his rights. Doesn't seem like he's getting much ice time in the KHL though.

 

[Rebels57]

One of the things that really didn't help him was that Hextall was adamant that he enter the league as a center. It's fine when that works, but when he struggled so much (and had such awful linemates), they did a poor job insulating him and I think that affected him to start his second season. But if I'm recalling right, I believe they were starting to try him with Giroux since finding him wingers was a problem.

Considering they didn't make a move at the center position during free agency, they obviously showed they have some confidence that he's going to play.



I guess it depends on what significant prospects are, but I think they feel Sushko is someone they think is closer to the NHL than people think. They're not just running the clock on his rights. Doesn't seem like he's getting much ice time in the KHL though.

Sushko is not going to be more than a 4th liner if he makes it to the NHL. Not a significant piece of our future.

 

[BernieParent]

I would like to see Voracek on Patrick's wing to do the heavy puck carrying. JvR rounding out this line wouldn't be awful, benefitting from 2 good passers.

 

[TCTC]

I would like to see Voracek on Patrick's wing to do the heavy puck carrying. JvR rounding out this line wouldn't be awful, benefitting from 2 good passers.

There will be lots of options when Patrick's back in the lineup.

Giroux/Lindblom - Couturier - Voracek/Farabee/Konecny
Lindblom/JVR - Hayes - Konecny/Farabee
JVR/Lindblom/Giroux - Patrick - Farabee/Voracek/Konecny

If that's not a playoff caliber top 9, I don't know what is.

 

[deadhead]

If Patrick can handle the migraines, this will be the healthiest he's been since he was 17.
Two years lost to the groin surgeries and aftermath, then rebuilding his core strength and dings.
At 22 he's physically mature, I'm sure has added strength and has two years of NHL playing experience.

If he's 100%, he'd be my candidate for breakout player this season

 

[Doodootheclown]

 

[DancingPanther]

He makes an excellent point though

 

[David St Hubbins]

This quote is coherent, insightful and lucid. Who stole Fletcher?

 

[Rebels57]

This quote is coherent, insightful and lucid. Who stole Fletcher?

His quotes usually are. His actions arent always but overall hes done a good job. AVs quotes have been more concerning at times ("I NEED Nate Thompson.")

 

[Striiker]

Unfortunately it's normal for people to say the right things and then contradict themselves with 95% of their actions. Fletcher usually sounds pretty good aaaaaaand then we end up with our coaches, Thompson, Grant, Braun, Hagg, Stewart, NAK on waivers, Frost/Farabee in the AHL, and so on.

He's right though. This is the perfect situation for Patrick to come back, when many players are rusty and everything is abnormal. He won't be the only guy adjusting.

 

[orangey]

Cant wait for the inevitable boarding. Flyers are yay.

 

[flyersnorth]

Sounds like a man confident that Patrick will be good to go without tipping his hand too much.

Seriously, adding Lindblom and Patrick to this lineup is awesome!

Too bad for Frosty though...not sure where he fits at the moment if those two guys are in.

 

[dragonoffrost]

Sounds like a man confident that Patrick will be good to go without tipping his hand too much.

Seriously, adding Lindblom and Patrick to this lineup is awesome!

Too bad for Frosty though...not sure where he fits at the moment if those two guys are in.

Taxi squadron

Which is a good thing. That much depth can only help.

 

[BringBackHakstol]

Frost really needs to play this season