The one constant with the 2020-21 Philadelphia Flyers is their depth. Depth that has already been on display through the first two games of the season.
But, with an injury to Sean Couturier during the 1st period of last night’s 5-2 win over the Penguins, that depth will be put to the test. A test that could be the opening Morgan Frost needs to become a regular in the Flyers lineup.
After making his debut last season, Philadelphia Flyers top prospect, Morgan Frost, made the team out of training camp this season. Something that Frost worked hard for during his offseason training.
“I prepared myself well for the season and I feel good out here”, Morgan Frost said when asked about making the Flyers out of training camp. “I am here to try to make the Flyers and if that doesn’t happen, we will see what management and coaches decide. My goal is to make the Flyers, so that is all that is on my mind right now.”
Frost continued “just having a year under my belt, just the comfortability of knowing what to expect in camp and playing with some of these guys before, I feel stronger and faster and more comfortable.”
Sean Couturier’s MRI on Saturday confirmed an injury that will force the Flyers #1 center to miss at least two weeks. With Couturier out for a minimum of two weeks, Morgan Frost will replace Couturier in the lineup. Something that will cause a shuffle to the Flyers lineup.
Morgan Frost can replace Sean Couturier’s offensive hole left. But, the 2nd year pro will have some big shoes to fill when it comes to Couturier’s defense hole.
“I am just trying to focus on being a 200 ft player and focus on the details that the coaches share with us before practice,” Morgan Frost said about he is improving his game. “I think I can do some things offensively, but if I can contribute in other ways it will give me a better chance to make the team.”
Frost continued “it is a really strong team; I am willing to learn and do. I am just trying to go out there and do my best and work as hard as I can.”
That hard work & attention to learning is something that caught the eye of head coach Alain Vigneault during training camp. Something that led to Morgan Frost making the team of out training camp.
“Morgan played well throughout camp and deserved to be part of our starting group,” head coach Alain Vigneault said about Frost. “Morgan is a young player and we believe that he needs to play, but right now the best option for him is to be with our group.”
Vigneault added “we worked with him obviously in terms of being able to play more than one position. He played wing and he is obviously a natural center. That gives us a couple of options here moving forward.”
While head coach Alain Vigneault knows what he has in Morgan Frost, don’t think Vigneault thought he would be relying on Frost to replace his #1 center, Sean Couturier, in Game3 of the season.
Look At Lineup
With Sean Couturier out a minimum of two weeks, Morgan Frost will enter the lineup. Many did not believe that Frost would enter right into Couturier’s spot. But, thats would head coach Alain Vigneault did.
“It’s next man up for who can come up and play,” head coach Alain Vigneault post-game after Sean Couturier’s injury.
28 Claude Giroux – 13 Kevin Hayes – 86 Joel Farabee
25 James van Riemsdyk – 19 Nolan Patrick – 93 Jake Voracek
23 Oskar Lindblom – 48 Morgan Frost – 11 Travis Konecny
12 Michael Raffl – 21 Scott Laughton – 62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Last season, when Morgan Frost made his debut, Frost centered Claude Giroux & Travis Konecny. A line that many thought Alain Vigneault would use to give Frost face-off help with Giroux.
But, in a pure boost of confidence, Alain Vigneault keeps everything the same and puts Morgan Frost right into Sean Couturier’s vacated spot.
Sean Couturier Out Minimum Two Weeks
After only playing two shifts against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Flyers 5-2 win on Friday night, Flyers #1 center Sean Couturier will miss a minimum of two weeks due to injury.
Forward Sean Couturier will be out a minimum of two weeks with a Costochondral separation GM Chuck Fletcher announced on Saturday.
Couturier’s injury, costochondral separation, has to do with his ribs. Costochondral separation occurs when your rib tears away from the cartilage that connects it to your breastbone.
Photo Credit : Yong Kim – Philadelphia Inquirer
