It might not be a flashy free agent signing, but the Flyers re-signed a major part of their future plans on Friday. Forward Morgan Frost signed a one-year, one-way contract for $800,000.
Frost became a Flyer in the 2017 draft as the 27th overall pick. This selection came via a trade with the St. Louis Blues for Brayden Schenn. It was this same draft that netted the Flyers Nolan Patrick with the second overall pick. While Patrick’s injuries are well documented now, Frost has had his share of injuries and disappointments as well.
In 2019, he suffered a groin injury during training camp. He played in 20 games in his first season. In 2020-21, he suffered a dislocated shoulder which limited him to just two games. Sent down to AHL to start the 2021-22 season, he was called up when Sean Couturier and Kevin Hayes went down with major injuries. In 55 games, he scored five goals and tallied 11 assists.
So far, his numbers have not been as eye-popping as Flyers fans have wanted. However, in Lehigh Valley, he has been able to light the lamp scoring 13 goals in 41 games in 2019-20 and six goals in 24 games last year before being called up to the parent club.
The Flyers have had a lot to deal with with young players dealing with injuries. They jettisoned the aforementioned Patrick last year for Ryan Ellis, who is still injured. Oskar Lindblom was released just before free agency to help clear salary cap space.
Frost’s deal is seen as a “prove it” deal. He hasn’t performed up to expectations as of yet. If he continues to struggle this year, look for him to be dealt at the trade deadline or not re-signed at the end of this upcoming season.
He is a fast guy with a lot of hockey intelligence. He just needs to put it all together with a healthy season. If he can do it, The soon to be 23 year old can be a major part of this franchise’s future.