The Philadelphia Flyers are heading into this season with a clear hole in their lineup.
As things are currently projected, the Flyers will not have a Finnish forward on their opening night roster. They have always found success with Fins and could add at least one more to their lineup. Thankfully, the solution will eventually come from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
This could, should, and dare I say will be the breakout year we've been waiting for from Samu Tuomaala.
Tuomaala has all but mastered the AHL
The Flyers' 2021 2nd round, 46th overall pick, took a bit to come over. He made his North American debut in a short two-game stint in 2021-22, but did not become a full timer until the 2023-24 season.
Since then, he has played 115 AHL games, scoring 75 points (26 goals, 49 assists) with various linemates. For the last two years, he has been at the top of the scoring list for the Phantoms. Apart from elevating himself to a point-per-game player, Tuomaala has done everything you'd want to see from him at this early stage in his career.
As a 22-year-old, he could still spend some time in the AHL, but at the very least, it's time to see Tuomaala in a Flyers uniform, for at least the preseason.
What can Tuomaala add to the Flyers attack?
The biggest standout attribute from the draft process was his shooting ability. Tuomaala was known for shooting from everywhere and bringing the heat when he did.
He is also a very creative player, which is a necessity when you are 5'10" and 180 pounds. He moves well and can get back on defense, but still needs to add some responsibility in that area to his North American game. Other than that, he's a bit like Matvei Michkov, just without that same high-end ceiling as the Russian wunderkid.
Why is this the year?
The reality is that this is the last shot for the Flyers and Tuomaala to decide if this partnership is going to work in the longer term, especially at the NHL level.
He's shown out during two AHL seasons, and figures to do the same this season if he starts there. The ability to perform at the NHL is a different beast, and has to be seen to be believed. This is the final year of Tuomaala's entry-level deal, and everyone involved wants to know if he has the goods and if the Flyers have a long-term spot for him.
If they don't, there is still a reason to play him this season, as he could have some trade value. He could sweeten a deadline deal or be swapped on his own.
From a different view, is there really anyone else on the Phantoms you are eager to look at? Tuomaala is the closest to being a legit prospect down there and is worth the ice time. We'll see how much he really gets.