Flyers Farm: Phantoms Update

I attended the Lehigh Valley Phantoms game against the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Penguins this past Sunday.

The Phantoms lost the game 4-3, but a comeback starting late in the second period made what was seemingly a blowout an interesting game. The late-game charge was pushed primarily by guys who have already seen time in the NHL. The point of my trip was not to provide a Phantoms postgame story. Instead, I wanted to get an in-person look at some of the Flyers prospects in the AHL. Here is what I saw:

The Recent NHL Guys

It is not surprising that the guys who have seen NHL time this season–Rodrigo Abols, Anthony Richard, Emil Andrae, and Helge Grans—looked to be some of the most fluid players on the ice. Even Jacob Gaucher showed some flashes.

Most of these guys are not prospects. Whether they are too old or have played too many NHL games, many Phantoms’ players are not prospects. However, they are still in the organization and could impact the Flyers at any call.

For starters, Rodrigo Abols looked to be a man amongst boys playing. I know that may be because he is 29 or even that he is fresh off an impressive NHL stint. Hand up; I did not watch much of Rodrigo Abols’ Phantoms highlights before the game. But Abols was all over the ice, playing a tremendous 200-foot game. He looked like an NHL player playing in the AHL, which is a good sign for the Flyers. Center is a great weakness for the Flyers, so having someone in Lehigh who could slot in as an NHL center (or even LW if needed) at any moment is good.

The defensive pair of Andrae-Grans impressed, as expected. Andrae could, and in all honesty, should, be in the NHL as we speak. He has shown the ability to be a solid defenseman in the NHL and looked dominant in the AHL. Andrae just made the AHL game look easy. For Helge Grans, I am unsure if it is because he got his linemate back or if that is the level he has been at all season, but he, too, made everything look simple.

Olle Lycksell is another player who looked terrific. He had two assists in the game and has continued his success in the AHL. Unfortunately, that has not translated to the NHL. I did see a stat that in the nine games that Lycksell earned 12+ minutes in time-on-ice, he has five points. Maybe all he needs is time.

Anthony Richard played a solid game as well. He was on the top line with Abols and J.R. Avon, and they were flying. They accounted for three of the Phantom’s seven points in the game but looked great together.

Players Yet to see the NHL

The player who jumped out most to me was J.R. Avon, not just among the guys who have not seen much or any NHL time, but all together. Avon was flying. He showed a skillset that I quite honestly did not know he had. Two particular plays jumped out. He had two great takeaways, both in the defensive zone. He then used his speed and burst past the Penguins, which gave him two great chances. One was stunned by the goalie, and the other was neutralized by a great backcheck from SWB.

Regardless, Avon’s play the entire game stood out. He scored the Phantoms’ first goal, which was bound to happen the way he played.

Hunter McDonald stood out among the other guys, but not particularly in a good way. He was always involved in the play but was bruised and battered all game. Two instances arose where he was slow to get up after a hit. The second was particularly bad, getting slammed into the boards. He remained in the game, showing his toughness, but the injury concern remains.

Two players I was excited to see–Massimo Rizzo and Alexis Gendron–did not really do anything. It does not mean either player is not playing well this season; I just went to the wrong game. Neither player did anything that stuck out badly; they just did not really pop.

Samu Tuomaala is a prospect I was excited to see, but he missed the game due to injury.

Phantoms Stats

F Samu Tuomaala (22 y/o), 11G, 20A, 31P in 43 games played

F J.R. Avon (21 y/o), 5G, 7A, 12P in 42 games played

F Massimo Rizzo (23 y/o), 5G, 10A, 15P in 33 games played

F Alexis Gendron (21 y/o), 15G, 7A, 22P in 43 games played

LHD Hunter McDonald (22 y/o), 2G, 12A, 14P in 49 games played

F Rodrigo Abols (29 y/o), 11G, 13A, 24P in 38 games played

F Anthony Richard (28 y/o), 10G, 13A, 23P in 23 games played

RW Olle Lycksell (25 y/o), 14G, 19A, 33P in 34 games played

LHD Emil Andrae (22 y/o), 2G, 10A, 12P in 19 games played

RHD Helge Grans (22y/o), 7G, 11A, 18 points in 45 games played