VOORHEES, N.J. – As the cuts kept coming and names like Robert Hagg, Travis Sanheim and Philippe Myers started dropping, there stood just two members among the highly-talented pool of Flyers defensive prospects.
Ivan Provorov and Sam Morin.
The first one is already viewed as a potential starter in the NHL. The second one, though, was a bit more surprising. Yet, in reality, Morin’s extended look, which came to a halt on Tuesday as he was among two players loaned to Lehigh Valley, shouldn’t be all that eye-popping. Taller defensemen tend to take longer to develop, and from the looks of it, Morin’s development has come along just as expected, if not quicker.
This camp was easily Morin’s most efficient one to date, as the first-round pick back in 2013 displayed both physicality, skill and composure that had not been seen before at this level.
“He was a confident player all the way through camp and he showed he’s taking a big step towards this level,” said Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol. “He’s very close.”
When asked whether or not Morin will be a call-up at some point this season, Hakstol gave an honest assessment with a nod of approval.
“I think that’s accurate,” Hakstol said.
It won’t be that easy, of course, as Morin will need to carry over that strong play and newfound confidence down to Lehigh Valley where he’ll likely work on the top defensive pairing.
I asked the second-year coach what stood out the most about the 6-foot-7 blueliner this camp compared to last, with Hakstol replying, “his poise, presence and comfort in every area of his game.”
He then used Monday’s game against the Rangers as an example of Morin’s development in a nutshell. Late in the game, Morin coughed up a puck right in front of Steve Mason that wound up being directly put past the netminder.
There was frustration, as evidenced by Morin’s slashing of his stick on the ice afterwards, but rather than carry over that emotion the rest of the way and nullify a strong showing up until that point, Morin displayed his maturation.
Had that been during the 2015 preseason, it may not have been the same result.
“I think last year that would have shook him up and rattled him,” Hakstol said. “This year, he moved onto the next play and stood out, played that next shift extremely well, aggressively and played it smart. It didn’t affect him whatsoever. That’s part of maturity, and a part of the growth.”
Morin was seen exiting the Flyers Skate Zone following his loan back to Lehigh Valley earlier today, but unlike this time last year, it was with a head held high and with the mindset that he may be back in the near future.
