Flyers Notes: Sam Morin and the “Tom Wilson Factor”
The Flyers 2020-21 season didn’t go according to plan, but defenseman Samuel Morin provided a shining moment that nobody in the organization could forget.
In a victory over the New York Rangers on March 27, he fired a shot past goalie Igor Shesterkin for his first NHL goal in what proved to be the game winner. The highlight came just two days after Morin knocked out former Ranger Brendan Lemieux in the final minute of an embarrassing 8-3 loss.
The NHL and the Flyers organization have consciously drifted away from fighting as an iconic element of the game. However, Morin’s statement is one example of how it’s still a part of the game. The energy he provided from the fight helped his team to victory in the most old school sort of way.
The 26-year-old former first-round pick played 20 of his 29 career NHL game’s last season. It was clear that he wanted to make a name for himself and that he was willing to drop the gloves if it helped his case to stay in the league.
The 6-foot-6 blueliner will be the closest thing to an enforcer the Flyers will have next season, and they’ll need his physicality if they want to nullify the “Tom Wilson Factor” in 2021-22.
Morin’s Role with the Flyers
The Flyers would be foolish to carry a player on their roster in the modern NHL with the sole purpose of using him as an enforcer. The minimized importance of fighting itself can be handled by scrappy players who also serve other purposes on the ice.
Morin is expected to be used as the team’s seventh defenseman this season, a necessary depth role. When he is in the lineup, he will be expected to use his heavy frame against opposing forwards with a physical style.
If he can’t play that role competently, he won’t see much ice time. If he earns head coach Alain Vigneault’s trust as a competent defender, it will enable him to bring the additional threat of the enforcer to the game.
Expect to see him get some opportunities in the lineup for division matchups, given the presence of ferocious opponents in the Metropolitan Division this season.
Are the Flyers Considering the “The Tom Wilson Factor” this year?
The Flyers were pushed around by the Washington Capitals last season, and they have been bullied by the New York Islanders in recent seasons too.
Wilson brings an element of intimidation to the Capitals. His ability to fight does not in itself bring much to the game. The threat of his physical play and opponents’ fear of his ability to fight, however, changes the game like few other NHL players can.
Morin can counter that x-factor if he plays his role the right way. Division teams are gearing up for physical battles this season. The Rangers acquired Wilson’s nemesis, Ryan Reaves, this offseason. Former enforcer Stu Grimson spoke recently about the importance of holding opponents accountable for their actions on the ice, regardless of whether or not the role of enforcers is diminishing.
Morin welcomes the role, according to his comments during his season exit interview in May about his role as a tough guy:
“The stuff I bring, I don’t think a lot of guys bring it in this organization. It’s kind of like pretty rare now. I think I’m probably one of the toughest guys in the league too, to be honest.”
A Pittsburgh Penguins outlet called Wilson, Reaves, Matt Martin of the Islanders, and Morin “legitimate heavyweights when the gloves hit the ice” in analysis of Grimson’s comments and the possibility of 6-foot-6 veteran Brian Boyle playing a similar role.
It’s good company for Morin to be mentioned with, and only time will tell if his old school style becomes prevalent again in the Metro in 2021-22.