Lehigh Valley Phantoms Top 14 Prospects: #9-#6
With the Phantoms and the rest of the AHL following the same schedule structure as the NHL with playing teams only in their respected division and playing a lot of home and home splits to complete the race of a 36 schedule, numbers nine through six in my opinion are key for the Phantoms to jump out of the gate early with as much two point games as possible.
The most warmed up on this list I’ve created is David Kase. Chuck Fletcher and Brett Flahr are expecting a big breakout season. With those expectations it was no surprise to anyone that he was placed on loan last year in August staying in game shape with HC Energie Karlovy Vary which is a very young team with plenty of teenagers on that squad. You’d have to think that was some what done on purpose to see how Kase handled big minutes in the Top 6 role, how he was around the guys and how he was going to use his expertise from the pro level to these young kids. Kase ultimately lit it up while on loan putting up 27 points (6G, 19A) in 25 games played.
It’d be interesting to see how head coach Scott Gordon plays his lines out in the only pre-season game the Phantoms have on Tuesday at home against WBS. I’d like to see Kase paired with Wade Allison and maybe a veteran like Chris Mueller who’s still on a PTO with the team.
Here is my ranking of nine through six on the Phantoms prospects of the 2021 AHL season.
Number 9: David Kase
How Acquired: 2015 round 5 #128
At 23 years of age, and a crack at the NHL last season, this is David Kase’s make it or break it year. In his first season in North America, the Kadan, CZE native potted 8 goals and fifteen assists in 40 games. He took the tools needed for his second season in North America and truly lit it up.
Even though the points may say a different story, Kase proved that indeed he does have the size, work ethic and strength to get there. Now he might not be the in Philadelphia Flyers cards next season moving forward but if he proves it he’s in.
He earned his first professional goal last season when many scouts even doubted he’d make it to the NHL level.
If Kase puts points on the board early in the 36 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season, he might just draw the eyes of Flyers management and once be the Top 6 NHLer everyone hoped he be. This season should make for a fun blue-collar fixture for the Phantoms with some upside for more. I have no doubt he’ll be a big time player in key situations and will be in a Top 6 role with power-play time for Head Coach Scott Gordon.
Number 8: Wade Allison
How Acquired: 2016 round 2 #52
After four years at the NCAA level with Western Michigan University, it was time for Allison whenever he had a choice or not to jump to the pro game. Just like Kase, Allison is 23 and with 97 points in 106 contests at the college level, is a thing of beauty. He reminds me a lot just like Wayne Simmonds in his style of play personally.
No I don’t think he’ll be in the NHL after four games like Joel Farabee did, but in the NHL, his instruments and scale project favorably to one day being a middle six forward. Plus, for his first professional season, getting some seasoning time in the AHL is expected. Plus additional time in the AHL to catch his stride after the knee injury sustained when playing for West Michigan hampered his development is super important.
Number 7: Linus Högberg
How Acquired: Drafted 2016 round 5 #139
Another super Sweden on this list, another one to make his professional North America debut this season for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Högberg ends his five year streak in the SHL as I think most Flyer fans and myself can agree that it was time. After posting 34 points in 181 games played in the regular season plus an additional 21 games in the playoffs. Philadelphia took their sweet time grooming the 22 year old to make sure he was ready to make the jump instead of putting him on the Phantoms squad at 18.
Safe to say he’s ready to go. For head coach Scott Gordon he’s expecting for Linus to come in and make an immediate impact. I feel like I’ve said that with a lot of prospects but this will be such a unique year for everyone in the AHL you almost wish with how stacked this Phantoms squad year is we almost feel robbed we can’t watch all these young guns for a 72 game schedule this year.
The role for Högberg this season will be continuing to be the a two-way blueliner who can put up points, but is earmarked for a defensive role and can back-check.
Number 6: Mason Millman
How Acquired: Drafted 2019 round 4 #103
Out of everyone on this list, I think I’m most excited for Mason Millman. In this unpredictable year we are blessed to have, at least to start the season, OHL talent on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Head Coach Scott Gordon said it best, when asked about all these OHL guys playing with his club this year he certainly hit the nail on the head. “You’re not a pro until you perform like a pro.”
My belief is Millman will be able to handle all the pressure as a 19 year old. He’s going to come in to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms system and truly come with guns blazing ready to compete and go to work. With the Saginaw Spirit he has 130 games played with 69 points. Mason Millman will be an absolute stud on the blue-line.
There will be lots of different fun combinations you can use for your Top 4’s and Top 6’s this season and I’m going absolutely enjoy watching every single second of it. Millman is a defender who has grown at both ends of the ice steadily. He is far from a completed product, but at or beyond standards, he has consistently delivered.
While not having the year to improve his defensive game with the Saginaw Spirit, he will be one of the guys I think Gordon leans on to carry the bulk of the mail on the PK and much defensive situations. This is what the AHL is built for, growth and to get to the next level. If Millman does that his ETA for Flyers roster is two years away.