The Phantoms went 2-1-0 over the weekend to bring them to 28-22-3-3 on the season, currently sitting fourth place in the Atlantic division.
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Tyson Foerster
Foerster didn’t register a point on Sunday, which snapped his five-game streak (1g, 4a) he had going into the game. The script remains the same for Foerster, who still need to bring his game to the next level to garner consideration for an NHL recall. He’s had just three goals in 15 games since the start of February. With the playoffs on the horizon, now would be as good a time as ever to turn on the jets and finish the season strong.
Elliot Desnoyers
After his first two NHL games, Desnoyers returns to the Phantoms as their top goalscorer and tied for the team lead in points. He had just one goal in three games over the weekend, but he remains at the top of his game and a key member of the squad hoping to make a postseason run.
Ronnie Attard
The confidence continues to grow for Attard, who seemingly becomes more and more noticeable every game. He’s slowly but surely figuring out how to balance a strong offensive game while being defensively responsible. Once that bubble in the level straightens itself out, the Flyers could have a real blue chip right-handed defenseman ready and waiting.
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Olle Lycksell
After spending most of February as a healthy scratch with the Philadelphia Flyers, Lycksell returned to the Phantoms and posted a goal and an assist in three games, meaning he now has 36 points in 37 games. It probably took all three games to shake off the rust, but Lycksell remains the Phantoms’ top left winger as the playoffs approach.
Bobby Brink
Brink scored a goal on Sunday, his first since February 4th, which ended his five game pointless streak going into the evening. Despite his scoring slowing down tremendously during February, Brink does so much with and without the puck that it’s hard to notice the drought. He’s one of the few guys that the phrase “plays the game the right way” actually applies to and if that work ethic keeps up, he and John Tortorella will be good friends when he makes the main roster.
Sam Ersson
Ersson suited up Friday and Saturday and walked away with numbers far worse than his play suggested. He allowed four goals on 30 shots in Friday’s loss and three goals on 20 shots on Saturday, though two were in the dying minutes of the game with the opposing goalie pulled. Ersson remains strong and very little of the perceived struggle is actually his fault. He’s the backbone of the Phantoms and they’re in good hands as he leads them to the playoffs.
Egor Zamula
Even though Zamula is far less spectacular of a watch this season due to his increased responsibilities as the team’s top lefty, he’s coming along nicely in his new role. He hasn’t taken many shots and even less penalties with just a single goal and 14 points in 36 games. It may seem unimpressive at face value, but a solid pair of hands who can play just about any role asked of him without major consequences is exactly what a third pair NHLer should be able to do; it’s a role he’ll be fighting for during camp next season.
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Isaac Ratcliffe
The underwhelming story of Ratcliffe’s time in Lehigh Valley has come to an end as he was traded to the Nashville Predators organization for future considerations. He had just two goals and four points in 26 games during the 2022-23 season.
Zayde Wisdom
Wisdom remains the odd man out for the Phantoms and considering the Flyers’ disaster of a trade deadline, there won’t be any players above him on the AHL depth chart making a jump to the NHL. Still not entirely sure what he did to get in Ian Laperriere’s doghouse, but he’s firmly entrenched in there.
Jackson Cates
Cates has just one assist in his last 11 games. He’s obviously not quite at the same level of other prospects on this list, but considering his brother is taking main roster by storm, it seems less and less likely Jackson ever joins him as a full timer in the NHL.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
brotherlypuck.com 