Three Flyers prospects that could make an impact due to COVID absences

The Philadelphia Flyers currently have seven players on the COVID Protocol list and a game scheduled in two days. Unless most of those players come off of the list, they will need some replacements to fill in. Some Flyers prospects might get the call.

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Most of the Flyers on the COVID Protocol list are forwards, including some of their top guns. They’re going to need some additions up front unless things change soon. Only one defenseman, Justin Braun, is currently on the list after Travis Sanheim was removed Sunday, but there’s still a chance they could look for some help there.

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Here are three prospects that could make an impact for the Flyers:

David Kase

David Kase has been climbing up the Flyers’ prospect ranks over the past few years. The 2015 fifth-round pick played overseas until 2018. He also went back overseas in the fall to get some game action while hockey in North America was paused.

Kase had 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 40 games for the Phantoms in 2018-19. However, he took a step back last year with 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 51 games despite earning a call up to the Flyers and scoring his first career goal.

This year, Kase started the season on loan to HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga. He found his scoring touch with 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in just 27 games. His 25 points are still tied for the second-most on HC Energie Karlovy Vary, with the team leader having 28 points in 40 games.

In three AHL games this season, Kase has two goals and two assists and is a +3.

Take a look at his overtime winner from Sunday.

Mind you, the Phantoms have only scored eight goals so far this season. Kase has points on four of them and was on the ice for another. He’s been doing the right things.

According to PhancyStats, Kase has 10 shot attempts, three scoring chances, and one high-danger chance in those three games. Last season, Kase had a 52.07% Corsi For (4.55 CF% Rel) and 51.39% Scoring Chances For (5.18 SCF% Rel). He is able to drive play and contribute offensively.

If the Flyers want a fast winger that can drive play and chip in offensively, Kase is their guy. He was added to the taxi squad on Monday, so he could be on his way to the Flyers soon.

Carsen Twarynski

Okay, we might be stretching the definition of “prospect” here with Carsen Twarynski, but just go with it.

The 2016 third-round pick hasn’t panned out too well. At least not yet. He won a roster spot out of training camp last season but didn’t make much of it. He had one point – a goal – in 15 games. His 43.61% Corsi For also wasn’t too inspiring.

Twarynski then had 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 69 games with the Phantoms last season. He was able to drive play, however, with a 52.20% Corsi For (5.60 CF% Rel) and 51.15% Scoring Chances For (6.14 SCF% Rel)

This season, Twarynski was in training camp with the Flyers and is currently on the taxi squad, so he has yet to play a game.

If the Flyers want to add some grit and physicality to their lineup, they may turn to Twarynski. However, he is stuck behind a few other players.

Egor Zamula

Like Philippe Myers, Egor Zamula was an undrafted free agent that could soon make an impact.

Zamula had 56 points (10 goals, 46 assists) in 61 games two years ago and 28 points in 28 games to close out his WHL career last season. He also added five points (two goals, three assists) and was a +2 in the World Junior Championship for Russia.

This season, Zamula has made the jump to professional hockey and has been okay through three games. He doesn’t have any points and has one passable game (47.06% CF) and two worse games (40.91% CF) through the first few weeks of the AHL season.

Zamula is a longshot to make an impact soon, but the possibility is there. He is one of the Flyers prospects with a higher ceiling. If the Flyers end up needing a top-four defenseman, Zamula could make the jump. He probably needs some more seasoning, but he’s looking like the real deal every step of the way.

Photo Credit: Heather Barry Images

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