Quick Hits: June 1, 2022
1) The Flyers have elected not to extend an entry-level contract to 2020 sixth-round pick Connor McClennon. The 5-foot-8 right winger is coming off a very strong draft-plus-two season for the Western Hockey League's Winnipeg Ice. He was a key contributor on a stacked roster, posting 81 regular season points (43 goals, 38 assists) in 62 games and adding an additional 21 points (8g,13a) in 15 playoff games.
The decision not to sign McClennon apparently came down to two things: Although McClennon has quickness and is not a slow skater, he does not possess the type of high-end natural speed that many severely undersized player need in order to thrive in the NHL. Secondly, the organization already has quite a few undersized forwards within the system.
The Flyers are particularly high on the upside of 2019 second-round pick Bobby Brink, who made his NHL debut late in the 2021-22 season (10 games played, 0g, 4a). The 5-foot-8 Brink, who will turn 21 on July 8, and McClennon are both right-handed shooting wingers. The 2021-22 Hobey Baker Award finalist led all of NCAA Division 1 hockey in scoring this past season and was part of the national championship winning Denver Pioneers.
Likewise, although Samu Tuomaala had a disappointing 2021-22 season, the Flyers organization is invested in the development of the speedy 19-year-old winger they drafted in the second round of the 2021 Entry Draft. The fact that McClennon was a late-round pick potentially was a secondary factor in why greater developmental resources and ELCs were invested instead in early-round picks. It wouldn't be the first time that happened in an NHL organization, through no fault of the player who is not signed.
McClennon, who will turn 20 on June 25, still has options available to him. He could still find an NHL entry-level deal or AHL contract elsewhere, such as via attending an NHL team's development camp and impressing. He also is eligible to play an over-age season in the WHL.
Despite not being signed by the Flyers, McClennon still has a fighting chance at being a pro. Players who fit his profile -- there's no denying his hands, his competitiveness or his work ethic -- often go on to have productive American Hockey League careers and may serve as NHL depth options. There are also periodic examples of players who've surprised by going on to find regular NHL jobs, but the signing team doesn't go in expecting to hit the jackpot.
I personally felt that McClennon's draft-plus-one and draft-plus-two body of work made him worthy of using an entry-level contract slot. Even if he "only" becomes a solid AHL player and NHL injury recall option for short durations, organizations need such players, too. For a sixth-round pick, in fact, it wouldn't be a bad outcome especially because the AHL's Phantoms are a team that struggled to put the puck in the net. I'd like to see less reliance on minor league veterans and older undrafted rookies from the collegiate ranks to buoy the farm club.
At the same time, it's rather unlikely that the Flyers let the second coming of Martin St. Louis slip through their hands here. McClennon could still go on to have a nice pro career. I hope he will, because he's an easy player to root for, and also believe that he's capable of it because he'll work for his keep. But a dose of perspective is needed here.
If McClennon goes on to have a career in the realm of a Danick Martel or Greg Carey, it'll be a good outcome. If he's in the realm of a younger version of Gerry Mayhew, it'll be a very good outcome. If he becomes a long-term NHL regular, it'd be a fantastic outcome. Those are the parameters here not a franchise direction-changing proposition.
2) Flyers Daily: Flyers left winger Joel Farabee was Jason Myretetus' guest on Wednesday's edition of Flyers Daily on the Flyers Broadcast Network. Farabee talked about his 2021-22 season, dealing with injuries, his overall career progression and more. To listen,
click here.
3) June 1 Flyers Alumni birthdays: Paul Coffey (1961), Larry "the Rock" Zeidel (1928-2014), Murray Baron (1967), Roman Lyubimov (1992), Dan Quinn(1965), David Laliberte (1986), Jeff Hackett (1968), Eric Meloche (1976).
4) Today in Flyers History: Bernie Parent Retires
On June 1, 1979, Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent announced his retirement due to an eye injury suffered midway through the 1978-79 season. Parent played in 608 career games, including 486 with the Flyers.
Parent is second all-time in franchise history with 231 wins (trailing only Ron Hextall), and his 50 shutouts are tops in team history. He won the Vezina and Conn Smythe Trophies in both 1973-74 and 1974-75 while leading the Flyers to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
Parent later served as the Flyers' goaltending coach from 1983-84 to 1983-94. His strongest relationship was with the late Pelle Lindbergh, whose childhood idol was Parent. The two men developed almost a father/son like relationship on and off the ice. Parent also coached Ron Hextall, Dominic Roussel and others.
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