A lot happened when Morgan Frost sought out his head coach for a one-on-one discussion in January.
The 24-year-old expressed his thoughts after being made a healthy scratch for the 11th time this season. John Tortorella was “thrilled” with Frost's initiative and honesty, calling it a “huge step” for the coach and player.
It seemed like a remarkable breakthrough. was it? Or have we, curious writers, read too much about it?
“I've been asked that many times. I think the media has,” Frost said with a smile on Tuesday. “But, yeah, I think it was just kind of getting rid of some things that bothered me. You don't see him every day and just have that kind of conversation in the hallway. I felt like there were some things I needed to say. I don't know if This is an achievement or not, but I think it gives a better understanding.
Frost has not sat since on January 4, scoring four goals and 12 assists in 19 games. His 16 points over that span are the second-most on a Flyers team, behind only Travis Konecny's 19 points.
His minutes have risen to 18:35 per game in his last five games. He is playing 15:46 per game on the season.
When the playmaking center is creating opportunities or if the Flyers need to attack, Tortorella will rely on Frost later in games. When Frost checks well and is reliable in all three areas, it makes him a more trustworthy player.
“A little more, sure,” Frost said. “I don't think I'm there yet. I still have a fair amount of mishaps defensively, like playing outdoors. Obviously it's not something I'm trying to do, I'm working hard at it.” Be good on both sides of the puck. I think when he sees that I'm kind of feeling it, he starts giving me more ice time. I think if I was playing a good game, he would be more willing to do it. “He took me out in the last few minutes.”
Tortorella would agree that there is still more work to be done.
“It depends on whether he plays well,” the head coach said on Tuesday. He added, “He will play if he plays well. I still think there are contradictions. We will see where things go.”
Morgan Frost scored his ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot.
There was a reasonable fear of a stalemate with Tortorella and Frost in the first two months of the season. Frost was benched for six successive matches and 10 of the club's first 20 matches. When a young center sits out multiple times on a youth-focused team in the rebuild, it's fair to wonder if he's viewed as part of the future.
To Frost's credit, he has been consistent in staying positive. He expressed his belief in his ability to make a “huge impact” for the Flyers and did not lose sight of being a good teammate.
Frost has 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) and a plus-6 rating in 46 games this season. With the March 8 NHL trade deadline looming in about two weeks, one would think he'd probably still be a flyer when it passes. He's in the first year of a two-year, $4.2 million contract he signed last September, and is a young player who plays an elite position.
But the Flyers are a team willing to listen and you can bet other clubs were keeping tabs on Frost's precarious situation earlier in the season.
Frost himself sees his future in Philadelphia. He played a role in the Flyers' turnaround and wants to continue that.
“Oh, yeah, sure, that never changes for me,” Frost said. “I hope so. This is a little out of my control, but that's all I want to do. I love this group of guys. Especially some of these young guys I've come up with, I'm really excited for them. “What's being built here and the future. I have to show it in my game and earn it, but I don't think that will ever change. “I think I'll always want to be here.”
If he wanted to search for Tortorella, he knew he could.
“If you have something that you're feeling and you feel like it's important to talk to him about it, his door is always open,” Frost said. “He welcomes that. I don't think it's something you want to force. I don't want to be a guy who goes there all the time. I don't think he wants it very much. But if I feel like there's something you should say, I've done that a few times, so I feel feel comfortable doing so.”
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