Future Considerations: Will prospect Matthew Phillips fit with the Flames?

NHL teams generally play to a certain identity. Some teams play a fast, skilled, puck possession style that lacks much physical engagement. Others play a heavy style that wears down opponents in the trenches, along the boards and out front of the net.

Each NHL GM is different with their approach to team building. It’s a delicate process that, at times, involves input from their head coach. The coach, after all, has to feel confident about the group.

The Calgary Flames have identified the need to add more scoring depth to their forward group since the off-season. Trades are difficult to make in the salary cap world of the NHL, and the cost of acquiring offence isn’t cheap. Sometimes you have to promote from within and hope your own prospects are mature enough for the NHL.

So, the Flames recalled forward Matthew Phillips last week from their AHL affiliate. At the time of his recall Phillips was leading the AHL in scoring with 15 goals and 15 assists in 20 games.

I recall the Flames drafting Phillips in the sixth round of the 2016 draft. He was coming off a very productive year in the WHL (37 goals, 39 assists) and certainly had caught my eye on trips through that league. A player who is selected in the back half of the NHL draft has to display an element that teams can project, if he were to maximize his development. In Phillips' case, his offensive skill and creativity stood out as elements that could translate to the NHL game.

The part of his game that he couldn’t control was his stature. I’m not positive, but am pretty certain, that Phillips measured in at close to 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds in his draft year. Despite his skill element, it was very difficult to imagine him growing enough to become an NHL player. It was clear to me the Flames were hoping they could catch “lightning in a bottle” with the pick – a “second act” follow up to the success they were having with their Johnny Gaudreau selection in 2011.

Phillips, who now measures 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, deserves a ton of credit. He plays a quick, fast, skilled game offensively, and he’s not shy about coming off the half wall and taking a puck to the middle of the ice or driving towards the net. When he works off the cycle, and moves pucks to the top of the zone, he heads to the paint looking for a tip or rebound.

One of the more interesting skills Phillips has is the ability to make plays off his backhand. All NHL players can move pucks off their backhand, but Phillips is on another level slipping passes through bodies or shielding defenders while directing pucks on goal. He’s a play driver, not a passenger looking for teammates to do all the heavy lifting for him.

The quality that doesn’t get talked about enough, though, is his compete. The kid works his tail off every time his number is called. He is the kind of player who might not get a result every time he hits the ice, but it will never be for a lack of “will” to go along with his skill. He might be small in stature, but I have never left a game without noticing him.

Here is a look at Phillips' scoring history since 2017-18:

I have a great deal of respect for the Flames' coaching staff. I also believe in the makeup of the team overall. The group has gone through some significant roster changes at the top of their lineup, and some players have yet to hit their stride offensively.

The good news story has been the arrival of Adam Ruzicka, who has been given a chance to establish himself this season. Ruzicka has put in the work and evolved as a player. He has produced six goals and 10 assists so far this season in 18 games. Ruzicka has scored twice on the power play, while adding two assists. His average time on ice has ranged from 10-15 minutes per game recently.

As of Monday, the Flames have the 24^th-ranked power play in the league, and rank 21^st in goals for per game overall. These are the reasons GM Brad Treliving is still searching for more offence.

Which brings me back to Phillips. I recognize how it’s difficult to translate AHL success to the NHL. It’s not easy to play to the same identity at the NHL level. It’s the best league in the world. But, similar to Ruzicka, there’s a chance Phillips might produce if given the opportunity (e.g. on one of the power play units, and with middle-six linemates at even strength).

The Flames have come this far with their investment in Phillips (six years since he was drafted, five years in the organization overall). If things don’t work out, at least the player and the team know there isn’t a fit moving forward. Skating nine minutes per game in a depth spot cannot be considered an audition for a scoring role, though.

CHECKING IN ON PROSPECTS DRAFTED IN 2022

Here are a few updates on players selected at the most recent draft in Montreal:

Seamus Casey
Drafted: 46th overall by New Jersey
Right Shot Defenceman / 5-foot-9, 161 pounds

The Devils, having already selected Simon Nemec second overall, added to their depth by choosing Casey in the second round last summer.

Casey is having a productive freshman season at the University of Michigan. The transitional defenceman leans playmaker more than shooter. He’s been engaged offensively and has produced four goals and 12 assists in his first 20 college games. Casey is being deployed on the Wolverines' top power play unit, too.

He’s elusive. Casey escapes pressure with his outstanding agility. He reads the game very well in all three zones. At his size he doesn’t muscle opponents off too many pucks, but he angles very well and takes correct routes to pucks when winning races.

Casey will require, at least, two years at the college level but the Devils have a smart, competitive, offensively gifted, potential power play QB in their stable for the future.

Jimmy Snuggerud
Drafted: 23rd overall by St. Louis
Right Shot Forward / 6-foot-2, 187 pounds

Snuggerud leads the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in scoring, with 12 goals and 15 assists through his first 20 games. Four of his 12 goals have come on the power play and he has two game-winning goals.

One of the most eye-popping statistics is his goals for versus goals against. Snuggerud has a very impressive (plus-20) rating. He’s showing he is more than just a goal scorer. He can be trusted to work, on and off the puck, in all three zones.

It will be interesting to see what the plan is for Snuggerud after this season. It feels, to me, like he is a candidate to turn pro after his freshman year.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Drafted: 15th overall by Vancouver
Right Shot Forward / 5-foot-11, 172 pounds

Lekkerimaki has struggled to play to his identity so far this season. He’s playing for Djurgardens IF in Sweden’s second division -- Hockey Allsvenskan.

Through his first 20 games Lekkerimaki has scored just one goal and four assists. He’s averaged just over 12 minutes of ice time and is being used at even strength and the power play. Lekkerimaki suffered a concussion recently after being taken into the boards heavily, but he’s still being listed on Team Sweden’s WJC roster for the upcoming tournament in Halifax and Moncton.

Lekkerimaki is a goal scorer who values time and space to get pucks to the net. He has a fantastic release. He’s at his best on the power play moving off the flank and directing pucks on goal. He’s a light player overall, though. Not a skater who will grind out shifts along the wall or around the opponents' crease.

He’s a much better player than he has shown so far this season. Hopefully he’s healthy enough to participate in Halifax and has a strong showing there.

NCAA FRESHMAN FREE AGENT LEADS NATION IN SCORING

Former Brooks Bandit forward, and CJHL player of the year in 2021-22, Ryan McAllister has picked up where he left off last season, but is now doing it as a freshman playing at Western Michigan (NCHC).

Last season at Brooks he scored 57 goals and 82 assists in 60 regular season games and then followed up his regular season by contributing 10 goals and 19 assists in 13 playoff games.

McAllister currently leads the entire NCAA with 10 goals and 23 assists in his first 20 college games.

Over his past 10 games, McAllister's average TOI has hovered around 17 minutes per game. He is being deployed at even strength and on the first power play unit. On the man advantage, McAllister is equally efficient making plays from the top/middle of the zone and coming off the strong-side half wall.

McAllister has a very quick and accurate release. He is showing he can beat goalies from range. Here are a couple clips from goals he has scored this season.

One goal is from a game versus Michigan where he snipes from the middle of the ice. The other is from a road game, versus St. Cloud, where he comes off the wall and goes far-side top shelf for a goal with the goalie on the bench for the extra attacker.

McAllister attended development camps for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights this past summer. It’s safe to assume they have a leg up on the competition by establishing a relationship with this player, who could be a UFA at season's end if he decides to leave school.

It’s going to be interesting to see what McAllister plans to do at the end of this season. NHL teams will have certain interest in signing him if he is looking to turn pro.