The 2015 un-drafted free agent shined during Training Camp for the Philadelphia Flyers and should be the first call-up for the team this season.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced Tuesday that they have loaned F Nicolas Aube-Kubel and D Philippe Myers back to the AHL. Aube-Kubel didn’t come as much of a surprise given the Flyers logjam at the forward position, but Myers is a little more interesting.
Myers is considered by many to be the Flyers top defensive prospect. When Andrew MacDonald went down with a lower body injury just over two weeks ago, it seemed Myers was in a prime position to earn a spot with the Orange and Black for the 2018-19 season.
MacDonald was expected to miss six weeks, but returned to the Flyers lineup Monday night against the Boston Bruins ahead of schedule. With MacDonald returning early, the only available defensive position left is the 7th spot. General Manager Ron Hextall has noted before that he will not put rookies on the NHL roster just to sit in the press box and that he wants them to play, so it makes sense that Myers was sent down. The interesting part is the timing of it. The Flyers opted to keep Mark Friedman over Myers, for what ever reason. This isn’t supposed to be a shot at Friedman, I’m actually a big fan of his play, but one would think that Myers would’ve been the final defensive cut on the roster.
Myers consistently played over 19 minutes TOI during the preseason, seeing time on both the Power Play (PP) and Penalty Kill (PK), so It’s possible the Flyers just want to get a better look at Friedman in the final two preseason games.
While he didn’t register a point this preseason, Phil Myers still showed why he’s considered one of the Flyers top defensive prospects. Myers showed the ability to play on both the PP and PK. He’s big enough to move bodies away from the net, and also showcases the offensive ability to not only play on the power play, but make an impact. He also moves the puck very well given his big 6’5, now 220 pound size.
Myers also showed his abilities last season in the AHL. He registered 21 Points (5 Goals, 16 Assists) which was second among defensemen for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Eight of those points came on the power play as well and three of them were goals which was tied fifth on the entire team. With a likely increased role in Lehigh Valley this upcoming season, expect these numbers to only get better.
Injuries, like we’ve seen with MacDonald and Travis Sanheim already in just this preseason alone, happen all of the time and are apart of the game. Unfortunately, it’s more than likely another player on the Flyers will come down with the injury bug during the season. If the player is a defenseman, expect Myers to be the first call-up. He has a NHL ready body and can be used in any situation given his skill set.
Flyers fans may be a little disappointed now, but shouldn’t worry, because it’s more than likely that Philippe Myers will see NHL time for the team this upcoming season.