With training camp in the rear view mirror, the Philadelphia Flyers final camp battles have entered their final stages. Battles that will be decided by the play during the preseason.
Before the Flyers first preseason game, head coach Alain Vigneault set a challenge for the younger players. Saying “hopefully some guys make it real tough for us to make decisions for the benefit of the team.”
In response to the head coaches comments, it was an “ok” start to the preseason. While no-one really stood out, it was a good first test for those players pushing for a roster spot.
“Felt all the young guys had their moments,” Alain Vigneault said after the Flyers first preseason game. “I went into this game knowing the guys haven’t played a lot of hockey lately. I have to be patient.”
Vigneault added “there was a lot of positive energy; believe they are going to get better moving forward.”
While Vigneault didn’t have many expectations for the first game, Thursday’s game in Boston will be more important. Especially for Tyson Foerster.
Foerster, who is just 19-years-old, is a long shot to make the Flyers roster out of camp. But, due to an impressive rookie campaign in the AHL last season as an 18-year-old, Foerster is getting a long look in the preseason.
“We’re going to give him a look,” Alain Vigneault said about his intentions for Foerster. “He (Foerster) definitely is going to get out there in the exhibition. See what he can prove and show what he can do for us.”
Vigneault added “he loves to shoot the puck. That’s a great quality to have, especially when you have that release.”
Another player battling for a roster spot is Nick Seeler.
Seeler, who is battling Adam Clendening for the 7th defenseman spot, made an instant impact on his head coach. Making himself very noticeable in his first game as a Flyer.
“Really liked the competitiveness of Seeler,” Alain Vigneault said about Nick Seeler’s game on Tuesday. “He comes to play. When he doesn’t have the puck, he fights hard to get it.”
Vigneault added “he (Seeler) has some experience in the league and we need to get a good read on him. For me, getting a first impression of seeing him in a game, I liked what I saw.”
Both Tyson Foerster & Nick Seeler will be in the lineup in Boston tomorrow night. The two are the only players from last night’s 3-2 loss to the Islanders to play in both games.
One player who does not have to worry about a camp battle is Morgan Frost.
Due to Kevin Hayes’s injury, Morgan Frost was given the first shot at Hayes’s 2nd line center position. A shot that Frost has taken full advantage off.
“Very happy with what I’m seeing from Frosty,” Alain Vigneault said on the final day of training camp. “Didn’t know what to expect since he didn’t play last year. I liked him in rookie camp. He’s come here and he’s continued.”
Vigneault added “you can see physically that he’s confident and he’s skating well.”
Morgan Frost will get his first game action tomorrow when the Flyers travel to Boston to face the Bruins. Frost will center James van Riemsdyk & Joel Farabee.
PHOTO CREDIT : Flyers PR
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