2019 AHL Free Agency: Lehigh Valley Phantoms Team Needs
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms missed the postseason in 2018-19 after a run to the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals a year prior, but the optimism surrounding a new NHL GM and NHL coaching staff has the Philadelphia Flyers organization shifting from rebuild to win now mode.
While that's nice for the Flyers and their fans, what does it mean for the team's AHL affiliate moving forward?
Typically when a new regime comes in, changes are made. This summer should be one of the more, if not most, interesting offseasons for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms as they get set for their sixth season of AHL hockey in downtown Allentown this fall.
Let's first take a look at who is penciled in on the AHL roster, as well as which free agents remain.
Under Contract
Forwards: Connor Bunnaman, Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, David Kase, Pascal Laberge, Isaac Ratcliffe, German Rubtsov, Matthew Strome, Maksim Sushko, Carsen Twarynski and Mikhail Vorobyev
Defensemen: T.J. Brennan, Mark Friedman, David Schlemko and Reece Willcox
Goalies: Alex Lyon, Felix Sandstrom and Kirill Ustimenko
Impending Free Agents
NHL RFA: defenseman Jacob Graves and forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel
NHL UFA: goalie Mike McKenna and forwards Cole Bardreau, Greg Carey, Byron Froese, Tyrell Goulbourne, ~~Corban Knight~~ (signed a one-year contract with Barys Nur-Sultan/KHL) and Mike Vecchione
AHL Free Agents: goaltender Branden Komm, defensemen David Drake, James de Haas, Frank Hora, Nick Luukko, Zach Palmquist and Philip Samuelsson and forwards Chris Conner, Mike Huntebrinker, Colin McDonald and Steven Swavely
And perhaps an easier way to look at things in terms of what the Phantoms need to add in free agency, a depth chart of sorts. Please note that I'm not suggesting any of these players into specific roles yet, just placing them by position in an easier-to-see depth chart.
Left Wing/Center/Right Wing
Joel Farabee / German Rubtsov / David Kase Isaac Ratcliffe / Mikhail Vorobyev / Pascal Laberge Carsen Twarynski / Morgan Frost / Maxim Suhsko Matthew Strome / Connor Bunnaman / xxxxxxxxxxx
LD / RD
T.J. Brennan / Mark Friedman David Schlemko / Reece Willcox
Goalie
Alex Lyon Felix Sandstrom Kirill Ustimenko
Phantoms Team Needs In Free Agency
Goalies Good To Go
A quick look at the depth chart above should tell you that the Phantoms appear pretty set in goal barring any trades made from the NHL club. Alex Lyon could battle for the backup job with Philadelphia, but the belief is that the Flyers will sign a more experienced NHL goalie to back up Carter Hart in 2019-20 -- meaning Lyon will be the de facto number one goalie in Lehigh Valley with promising young talent Felix Sandstrom filling out a formidable AHL duo in net.
Defense, Defense, Defense!
The biggest need for the Phantoms will be on defense, a position that has been overhauled by the NHL club in recent weeks with the additions of NHL blueliners Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun via trades this month. GM Chuck Fletcher has publicly said Phil Myers' emergence on the back end has him eying up the third pairing on the right side, leaving Lehigh Valley with only four defensemen signed heading into next season. This will be the team's biggest need heading into free agency on July 1st.
Forwards Core Needs Experience
Restricted free agent forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel, age 23, will likely receive a qualifying offer from the Flyers prior to July 1st. He would also be the oldest forward on the Phantoms' roster. While a team source said they were told defense would be a point of emphasis, it should be noted that while having a plethora of young forwards to develop in the minors is ideal that not having any veteran players to help steer the ship is a major issue that will likely be addressed this summer with some veteran additions to the forward core.
