Topics in this edition of the PHR Mailbag include possible contract comparables for Flyers winger Travis Konecny, Chicago’s active offseason, and much more. If your question doesn’t appear here, check back in last weekend’s mailbag.
GBear: The assumption is that Stamkos will play on the wing in Nashville because he’s played in that position recently with Tampa, but is there any good reason why he couldn’t switch back to center, which is where the need is on the 2nd line?
It all comes down to trying to deploy Stamkos best. He has split his time between the wing and center in recent years and as he ages, it stands to reason that they’re going to want him on the wing where there are fewer responsibilities while being a triggerman is better as a winger than a center. Bringing in a high-priced player and then not putting him in the best situation to succeed is a little counterproductive.
Having said that, I don’t see why Nashville couldn’t use him down the middle next season; I think he can handle that (it’s the later years I’m more skeptical about). He’s pretty effective on the draw and if it pushes Thomas Novak onto the third line to be more of a secondary scorer (the role that’s best for him), that would be ideal.
But it’s a short-term solution. Stamkos should be a winger before too long while Novak and Cody Glass (a potential trade candidate in the coming weeks given their cap situation) aren’t great fits in that second center role. I don’t think Juuso Parssinen will get to that level and their best center prospects aren’t on the verge of being NHL-ready either. GM Barry Trotz filled a lot of holes this summer but a better fit at the 2C position is something that should be on next year’s shopping list.
wiyasm: Will the Flyers bring in a true top center to pair with Michkov? Are they putting their trust in either Couts or Frost? Or are they going to make a trade to find someone?
I like Morgan Frost as a secondary option but I’d be surprised if he becomes a bona fide number one option. While they used a lottery pick on Jett Luchanko taking him 13th overall, I’m not sure he’s a top liner down the road either. And while they’re paying Sean Couturier like a top-liner, he’s not that type of player anymore. One day, they’re going to have to do something about that.
But one day is not today. The Flyers are still very much in the building phase of their rebuild; they’re not expecting to go and…
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