Where Does Nolan Patrick Fit in This Flyers Lineup?
The promising young 21-year-old has not done much in the 2019 season. He has been plagued with migraines and has not yet been cleared to skate with the team.
Patrick did not go through training camp and reports have only recently come about him skating prior to practice. These are signs of improvement but no one is giving a timetable for his return.
These recent improvements in Patrick’s health beg the question though where he may fit in this lineup if he were to come back healthy this season. I would assume with an injury like this the rehab required is going to be long and intense to ensure the safety of Patrick.
Once he is cleared to play by training staff I would assume that Alain Vigneault would attempt to get him in the lineup but if the Flyers continue to play the way they are playing right now it may be hard to find a spot for him.
The only logical option at center, his natural position, would be to center the fourth line but the recent good play coming from Tyler Pitlick it would be hard to bench him for a player who has not suited up all year. Pitlick is also able to move to the wing where he played earlier in his career.
If Patrick takes over at center this would make the playing time battle between Pitlick and Raffl on the wing. So it would be van Riemsdyk on one wing Patrick at center and Pitlick or Raffl on the other wing. This would allow the most talented players to be one the ice and give the Flyers options to play Pitlick and Raffl which could be good for a particular opponent matchup.
That being said there have been several injuries in the past week or so with no real timelines for Konecny or Lindblom to return.
Line combinations have been moved all over the place and you never know what new chemistry and combination Alain Vigneault will find and like to stick with. But when the time comes that Patrick is healthy and ready to go expect to see him centering the fourth line.
Featured Image: Len Redkoles, Getty Images
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