Aube-Kubel Aims For NHL Roster Spot With Flyers
INSIDE AHL HOCKEY - On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Flyers announced they signed restricted free agent forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2019-20 season.
While there's currently a logjam of a battle shaping up for forwards in the organization aiming to crack the NHL roster this fall, where does Aube-Kubel fall into this mix heading into 2019-20?
A quick look at the numbers shows a dip in offensive production, but there was a lot going on this past season - both on and off the ice - that help paint the picture a little more clearly.
On the ice, Aube-Kubel was limited to just 54 AHL games this past season, due in part by first NHL call up and nine games with the Flyers in the beginning of the season as well as a lower body injury mid-season that caused him to miss a month.
The injury, coupled with the organization's overhaul of the management and coaching staff mid-season, quite literally left Aube-Kubel lost in the shuffle.
Getting back to his first career NHL games, it was a bit of a touchy subject for Aube-Kubel the day after the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' season ended during exit interview day.
"I worked my ass off for three years, not to play six minutes a game so it was a hard gauge that," he said when asked about what the experience provided to him. "I liked my experience there, but that's not why I want to play in the NHL," he continued, later mentioning he's hoping to play more than six minutes a game in the NHL next season.
For whatever reason, Aube-Kubel didn't seem to have the trust of then-head coach Dave Hakstol. As a result, he barely played in the nine games he did dress for.
The good news for Aube-Kubel is that Hakstol is no longer the Flyers' head coach.
The bad news?
Ron Hextall, the general manager who drafted him, is no longer with the organization and his coach with the Phantoms (Scott Gordon) who finished the season as the NHL team's head coach, is heading back to the AHL to coach the Phantoms this fall.
There is, however, a plethora of new coaches on the NHL staff Aube-Kubel will need to impress if he aims to make the Flyers out of training camp.
It's also worth noting that Aube-Kubel will need to clear waivers to be reassigned to the Phantoms for the 2019-20 season should he not make the Flyers' roster.
As for his offensive numbers -- 16 goals and 14 assists in 54 games with the Phantoms this past season -- it's important to realize that Aube-Kubel hasn't had much, if any, role on the Phantoms' power play in his three full years at the pro level. In fact, all 45 of his goals in the AHL have come at even strength.
"It was hard to respond from last year because I had a really good year last year [offensively]," Aube-Kubel told Inside AHL Hockey in regards to the dip in offensive production last season. "I feel achievement-wise I think I did more this [past] year, like playing in the NHL - that was my main goal. I think I had a slower year offensively, but I learned a lot this year and I'm ready for next year."
Aube-Kubel has been a middle-six staple in the Lehigh Valley throughout his three years in the AHL adjusting to the pro game. Coming out of the QMJHL, his play away from the puck in his rookie season as he transitioned to the pros took some time but the progress he's made over the years has put him into the conversation for an NHL job come September when main training camp opens.
"I was on the power play and always an offensive guy (in junior)," Aube-Kubel explained, adding, "In the AHL, you see the guy that has the most points barely has a point a game, so it's very defensive. It's more of a grind. It's harder to play in the AHL than the NHL even for some things, especially defensively. I've rounded out my game," Aube-Kubel said of his efforts to improve his play in all facets of the game. "With the help of my coaches I've been working on it a lot to be good defensively."
Aube-Kubel, while clearly disappointed with his first go-around in the NHL this past season, still aims to breakthrough to the NHL even if it requires doubling down on the hard work he's put in to this point.
"I thought it was a very important summer last year as well. I think I did a lot of good things last summer, so I'll double up that this summer. I play very hard, physical, bottom-six guy. So I think if I improve all the skills defensively and be more consistent that will help."
