The Lehigh Valley Phantoms were unable to make the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs but still have plenty of things to be proud of from this season.
As you know due to the title of this article, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2018-19 season ended this past Saturday. They finished just two points behind the Providence Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, just missing a third consecutive Calder Cup playoff berth.
While it’s a little disappointing that they couldn’t defy the odds, the Phantoms had one helluva up-hill battle throughout the year. Whether they lost players like Phil Varone, Philippe Myers, and Carter Hart to the NHL or dealt with injuries to talents like German Rubtsov, David Kase, and Mikhail Vorobyev, Lehigh Valley still found a way to push for a postseason spot and must be commended for their efforts.
Longtime AHL veterans Greg Carey and Chris Conner led the way in points, scoring a respectable 61 and 51 points for the Phantoms in 74 and 72 games each. 2016 Fourth Round pick Connor Bunnaman was first among all Lehigh Valley rookies in the same category with 32 points (19 Goals, 13 Assists) in 62 games played. I honestly didn’t expect too much from Bunnaman when the year started, but he proved to be an excellent addition to the Phantom team especially on the power-play.
Bunnaman wasn’t the only rookie that impressed me with his play, though. While fellow 2016 NHL Draft selection Carsen Twarynski didn’t do too much on the score-sheet, netting 24 points in 69 games, he showed great ability on the forecheck and was one of the better defensive forwards on the team in my opinion. I fully anticipate the 6’2 winger to come around on offense, too, as he gets more comfortable in the AHL.
Lehigh Valley has a lot to look forward to next season. Rubtsov, Kase, and Pascal Laberge should be 100% healthy, and the additions of Matthew Strome and Joel Farabee will only add to their depth. I can’t rule out Morgan Frost and Isaac Ratcliffe being on the roster, either, but keep in mind that there needs to be room for a couple of AHL vets to help lead the young prospects forward.
I’m also excited for the potential goaltending duo of Alex Lyon and Felix Sandstrom between the pipes. Lyon looked rock solid all year, and Sandstrom put his abilities on display with a 40 save performance in the second to last game of the season.
We’ll have to wait and see how many prospects eventually suit up for Lehigh Valley in 2019-20, but no matter the amount, it should be another eventful year when October rolls around.