Philadelphia Flyers: Phantoms youth enjoying the playoff ride

With expanded rosters, some of the younger prospects have been able to enjoy a chance to take part in the Flyers postseason run.

With most players on the current roster set to head to Toronto in just about a week, there are quite a few younger players who will get the chance to enjoy the ride. The Flyers have invited some of the players who have primarily played with the Phantoms this season.

Out of that group, players like Carsen Twarynski and Morgan Frost have had the chance to play in the NHL this season. Now they will have an opportunity to watch what an NHL postseason in like.

They are unlikely to play, unless the team has an injury or two along the way. That is not completely out of the realm of possibility. Especially with the amount of time that has paused since the Flyers have last played.

The two mentioned above are among the first that would likely have the chance to play if they were called upon. Connor Bunnaman would also be included in that group as he has NHL experience this season as well.

But for now, the group of players designated as extras will get to take part in their first NHL postseason. And even if they don’t play, it is a great experience for them. They will be ready if the time comes, especially someone like Twarynski.

“It’s been a dream of mine as a kid. Every kid dreams of playing for a Stanley Cup…If they need an extra guy to help the team win while in Toronto, I want to be that guy.”

Mark Friedman is also one of the younger players who will be joining the team in Toronto. He recently signed a two-year extension when camp opened. He will add his name to a Flyers defensive that is young, but plays above their age.

With Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun to help along the way, the group has grown into arguably one of the best defensive cores in the game. They are lead by Ivan Provorov who is the team’s best defensemen. Philippe Myers and Travis Sanheim have grown into a solid second-pairing.

So Friedman has some players in front of him. But he can use this experience to gauge where he is at and even impress the coaching staff. He is likely to be fighting for a permanent roster spot next season.

Other players like David Kase, German Rubtsov, and Egor Zamula are getting the opportunity to practice with the team. They are low on the depth chart of actually getting into a game. But the addition of their names to the expanded roster shows confidence in them.

One thing can be said for sure, the Flyers have a lot of young talent on the way.