The Phantoms went 1-2-0 this week, dipping their record to 11-11-4 on the season and currently sit seventh place in the Atlantic Division standings.
Trending Up
Samu Tuomaala
Tuomaala has two goals and five points in his last four games, four of which came on the powerplay. He’s been without his partner in crime Olle Lycksell for a few weeks now, but he’s learning to adapt without him. It’s hard to describe just how good Tuomaala has been, and if this development pattern keeps up, he could be main roster ready by season’s end. He’s up to 23 points in 26 games on the year.
Ronnie Attard
Attard now has 11 points in his last 12 games. After a slow start where he posted just six points in the team’s first 14 games, he’s been scoring regularly has become a net-positive more often than not. His play picking up with the trade deadline breaking on the horizon should hopefully make it easier for the front office to decide to part ways with a few of their veteran defenseman to make way for Attard, who is quickly reaching now or never status as a prospect.
Emil Andrae
Andrae scored two goals and five points in three games last week, four of those points came on the man advantage. While Andrae’s overall play is still a bit hit or miss, a not unexpected trend for a rookie European defenseman, he’s getting a ton of ice time in all situations and knows how to dish the puck on the powerplay. There’s a bit more polishing to do, but the Flyers could have their PP QB of the future… provided he ever gets another NHL opportunity in his career.
Sideways Trending
Elliot Desnoyers
Desnoyers went pointless in all three games last week, and has just two goals and three points in his last 12 games dating back to early November. He lucked out on Friday, avoiding serious injury after taking a pretty nasty headshot in open ice. Desnoyers isn’t really doing anything wrong, his two-way game is still at a decent enough level and gets some looks offensively from time to time, but he’s also not standing above the crowd when it comes to his overall play. He set a rookie record for LVP goal scoring last season, and now he’s got just four tallies in 22 games. At this point, it’s his defensive game that is probably more enticing to the Flyers’ coaching staff anyway, so not all hope is lost for his career, but it is a rather stunning and unfortunate downturn for someone who looked to be very promising.
J.R. Avon
Avon scored a goal late in the third period on Saturday. while his offensive numbers aren’t anything to write home about (six goals, nine points in 20 games) he’s quickly becoming one of those players that is doing all the little things right. Multiple times every game when a smart play is made, Avon typically is the guy behind it. His overall ceiling is still pretty low until proven otherwise, but there is some potential the 20-year-old AHL rookie is flashing in his limited role on the team.
Wade Allison
Allison scored a goal 13 seconds into the second period of Friday’s contest. Five of his nine points on the season have come since American Thanksgiving and he’s earned back the trust of Ian Laperriere. We’re nearing the full return of the classic, beloved, hardworking Wade Allison, which may not save his Flyers career, but it will give him the best chance to find a new home next season.
Adam Ginning
From a point perspective, Ginning is actually on pace to repeat or exceed his totals from last season (2G, 7P in 26 GP compared to last season’s 3G, 19P in 68GP), but that’s not really the highlight of his game. He’s a defensive defenseman on a team that has been just discombobulated enough where finding consistency has been out of his control. So while his personal game could always be better, his struggles this season aren’t all his fault.
Trending Down
Ethan Samson
Samson exists alright. His play has evened out a bit from its early season concern, but taking a peak at his junior numbers versus what he’s delivering so far at the professional level, it’s hard to not be at least a tad disappointed.
Helge Grans
Grans broke his hand a couple weeks ago and the injury required surgery. He was not having a great season to begin with, and now he’s probably going to be out for quite some time.
Mason Millman
Millman was sent back down to Reading before Saturday’s contest. Millman had an assist in consecutive games before the demotion. He’s been a top guy for the Royals for the last few years, but has played in just 35 AHL games since 2020-21. It’s a congested defense and has been for awhile now, and Millman has always been the odd man out.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
brotherlypuck.com 