The Lehigh Valley Phantoms went 2-1-0 this weekend to bring their record to 25-23-5-2 and are now tied in points with sixth place Springfield for the last playoff spot, however are still technically in seventh place for the time being.
Trending Up
Samu Tuomaala
Tuomaala posted a goal and two assists this weekend. He was pointless in his previous six games and didn’t score a goal in over a month, so it was a nice rekindling for the rookie winger. Considering he’s pretty much the only forward over the last little while with upside on the AHL roster between callups and injuries, the decline in production wasn’t a big surprise, but the ability to break out of that slump by himself was even more impressive. He’s got 40 points in 55 games this season.
Wade Allison
He’s free! After the unexpected demotion to the AHL at the beginning of the season it’s been clear he was no longer in the organization’s plans. He was dealt to the Nashville Predators’ organization at the deadline. Even though he was assigned to the AHL, an NHL opportunity should be far easier to come by with the Preds than it would the Flyers. Any longtime Phantoms fans know Allison was a beloved member of the team and probably one of the biggest fan favorites in the history of the team.
Emil Andrae
Andrae scored a pair of powerplay assists. The rookie LHD is now fourth on the team in scoring and has been a critical member of the man advantage all season long. As the Phantoms turn on the heat to their playoff push, they’re going to need Andrae at his best, and there hasn’t been much falter in the 21-year-old Swede this season.
Sideways Trending
J.R. Avon
If you’re a weekly reader of the prospect report, you pretty much know what’s about to be said- He worked hard, played well, but wasn’t rewarded on the score sheet. Avon was playing on the top line with the absence of Lycksell, Brink and, well, everybody else, but he managed just a single assist on Friday. It’s the only point he’s had in the last 10 games, but the lack of points does not tell the whole story as to how well the rookie forward has actually been playing. Hopefully he can break through with a multi-point weekend soon to help his visual totals as he’s sitting with just 16 points in 49 games.
Ronnie Attard
Ronnie Attard was finally recalled to the NHL for the first time in nearly a year. He’s been fairly consistent at the AHL since the end of last season and considering his contract coverts to a one-way deal next season, the Flyers need to at least get his feet wet in the AHL to see where he falls in next season. Do the Flyers actually play him in the NHL? If the other rookies are an indication- Probably not- but at least he’s been given that long-awaited call up.
Elliot Desnoyers
Elliot Desnoyers returned from an injury that kept him on the shelf for the last few weeks. He may not be the rising star that he was last season, but the team desperately needs all the center depth they can muster, so his return is welcomed. He played two of the three games this weekend, which means his goalless drought has reached 28 games dating back to December 9. Yes, It’s been over three months since his last goal. The Phantoms have 17 games left, will he get one before the campaign ends?
Trending Down
Olle Lycksell
The 24-year-old forward continues to be trapped in John Tortorella’s doghouse and was again demoted back to the AHL after being benched and scratched in the NHL. Lycksell’s got 32 points in 34 AHL games this season and 77 points in 87 career AHL games. At least he returns in time to help the Phantoms clinch a playoff spot, but to what end if the organization doesn’t have a future for him?
Bobby Brink
Ditto for Brink. Another NHL opportunity squashed down by Tortorella. He posted 11 points in 11 games during his demotion in February.
Tanner Laczynski
Laczynski hasn’t played a game since January 20. Considering specific injury updates in the AHL are hard to come by, it’s unclear whats been plaguing the 26-year-old forward, but with clutch time arriving and the push for the playoffs heating up, hopefully Laczynski can make a return to the lineup sooner rather than later… or at all… for the stretch run.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
brotherlypuck.com 