NOLAN PATRICK - Center - 20 - $.925MM Cap Hit - RFA in 2020-2021
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
While back-to-back ~30 point seasons may be disappointing for Flyers fans expecting more out of a former #2 overall pick, I would argue that Nolan Patrick has been exactly as advertised. Nolan Patrick was never the most high-upside prospect. In the 2017 draft, he was the floor play, whereas Hischier was the ceiling play. Patrick is a very polished player. Despite being only 20 years old, he already plays the game like a veteran. He finishes his checks, plays responsible defense, and contributes on offense. He's one of the better under-21 faceoff takers, and he's got above-average tools across the board, even if he lacks one elite trait. Durability was an issue in junior hockey but he's played above 70 games each season in the pros, and he's had remarkable night-in-night-out consistency. He's a good shooter and should score 25 goals eventually, and his defense should develop to the point where he can kill penalties. He'll continue to steadily develop and become a high-end, versatile, 55-65 point #2C. People calling him a "bust" for not producing overwhelming numbers are wrong. Patrick is a high-floor player who is playing exactly as expected. Perhaps you want someone with a higher ceiling at #2 overall, but either way Patrick is a valuable NHL player. He's a good #3C right now and, like I said, will develop into a #2C in due time.
While back-to-back ~30 point seasons may be disappointing for Flyers fans expecting more out of a former #2 overall pick, I would argue that Nolan Patrick has been exactly as advertised. Nolan Patrick was never the most high-upside prospect. In the 2017 draft, he was the floor play, whereas Hischier was the ceiling play. Patrick is a very polished player. Despite being only 20 years old, he already plays the game like a veteran. He finishes his checks, plays responsible defense, and contributes on offense. He's one of the better under-21 faceoff takers, and he's got above-average tools across the board, even if he lacks one elite trait. Durability was an issue in junior hockey but he's played above 70 games each season in the pros, and he's had remarkable night-in-night-out consistency. He's a good shooter and should score 25 goals eventually, and his defense should develop to the point where he can kill penalties. He'll continue to steadily develop and become a high-end, versatile, 55-65 point #2C. People calling him a "bust" for not producing overwhelming numbers are wrong. Patrick is a high-floor player who is playing exactly as expected. Perhaps you want someone with a higher ceiling at #2 overall, but either way Patrick is a valuable NHL player. He's a good #3C right now and, like I said, will develop into a #2C in due time.
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