Halfway through the preseason, the battles for the Philadelphia Flyers opening night roster are far from decided. Could some linger into first month of the season?
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The one benefit to have a team having a young emerging team is the ability to use the minor leagues. Something the Flyers could do early in the season.
With young players like Alex Bump, Nikita Grebenkin, Helge Grans, to name a few, competing for a roster spot, time is running out for them to a take hold of a roster spot. Which, could lead to some interesting decisions as training camp heads towards its final week.
In all of the Flyers camp battles – third defense pair, top9 winger, depth players – the only player running away with a spot is Rodrigo Abols. He is far ahead the leader to secure the 12/13 forward spot.
Abols almost be assured roster spot has come by his dominance early in camp. Starting off his preseason with a standout performance in the house scrimmage, he continued his big preseason by opening up the scoring for the Flyers in their first preseason game.
In Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the Capitals, Abols was once again one of the best Flyers. Even though it was a loss that Rick Tocchet told reporters was “hard to evaluate” as he felt the “team looked really tired”.
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With no one, minus Abols, running away with a roster spot, one thing the Flyers could do early in the season is trial by fire. Using the early part of the NHL and AHL seasons to find the best fit for the roster.
Alex Bump came into training camp with the most hype and hopefulness. So far in camp, he has been on a line with Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras in practice. While also playing with Konecny in Thursday’s preseason game against Washington Capitals.
The Flyers obviously are very high on Alex Bump. Asst GM Brent Flahr in the summer marked Bump as a favorite to make the opening night lineup.
But, one thing the Flyers will not do is rush him. Nor will they rush any prospect into the NHL if they don’t feel they are ready. Its a big reason why it could lead to Bump starting the season at the AHL level.
The player that Bump is competing with for a spot with is Nikita Grebenkin, who has out-performed him so far.
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Grebenkin is in his first training camp with the Flyers after being acquired at the deadline in a package for Scott Laughton.
So far in camp, his line-mates have differed a lot. Mixing in with what could be the Flyers 4th line, while also getting time with Top9 lines.
One constant that continues to pop up when Grebenkin appears in the Top9? Matvei Michkov.
Grebenkin playing with Michkov is an interesting combination. One that combines the “Russian Factor”, while also adding a big bodied puck getter to aide with Michkov’s smaller size.
It is also one of the reasons why Grebenkin currently has a slight edge over Alex Bump. His ability to help communicate with Michkov and make him feel more comfortable should not be over looked.
If you don’t believe it, its one of reasons why Egor Zamula was a mainstay last season.
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No matter how you look at the Flyers situation right now, their is an opportunity to see multiple players in different situations early in the season. Both at the NHL level and AHL level.
The Alex Bump and Nikita Grebenkin battle is eerily similar to Joel Farabee’s in 2019. The younger player eventually being beaten out late in camp and sent to the minors to start the season.
Whether or not one of or both Bump and Grebenkin make the team is yet to be decided. But, if one does not, its not a knock on the player, its the Flyers sticking to their overall plan for the future.
PHOTO CREDIT: Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
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