The Flyers' Fourth Line: A Reclamation Project Worth Pursuing
The Philadelphia Flyers have a history of turning reclamation projects into success stories, and there's a new opportunity on the horizon. With the Pittsburgh Penguins waiving Philip Tomasino, the Flyers can claim a former first-round pick for free, offering a potential boost to their struggling fourth line.
Tomasino, a 24-year-old center, has a cap hit of $1.75 million and is a restricted free agent after this season. He was drafted 24th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators and showed promise in his first season, scoring 100 points in 62 OHL games. However, his NHL career has been a bit of a rollercoaster.
After graduating to the AHL, Tomasino recorded 82 points (36 goals, 46 assists) in 89 games. He's primarily played as a forward, taking just 112 faceoffs in 218 career games. While his point total hasn't been overwhelming (34 goals and 61 assists), it still translates to a solid 82-game pace of 36 points.
The Predators traded Tomasino to the Penguins last season, but the change of scenery didn't yield immediate results. He managed only 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 50 games last year and just one assist in nine games this season before being waived. This marks the second time Tomasino has failed as a reclamation project.
The Flyers' fourth line has been underperforming this season. Garnet Hathaway is contributing defensively but lacks offensive impact, while Rodrigo Abols, who looked promising in the preseason, has been underwhelming in the regular season. Together, they've accumulated zero points in 31 games. The only bright spot is Nikita Grebenkin, who has a goal and two assists but still gets healthy scratched.
Despite Tomasino's previous struggles, the Flyers have the cap space to take a chance. With over $8 million in cap space, they can add a former first-round pick with scoring potential to their bottom six. While he may not fit the traditional mold of a fourth liner, the Flyers might need to shift their strategy and bring in some skill alongside their grinders.
It's unlikely that the Flyers will make this move, as it would require sending a player like Abols through waivers. However, Tomasino could still improve the team on paper and find his game in a new organization that has a knack for discovering hidden gems. The Flyers have the opportunity to add a potential scoring threat and give their fourth line a much-needed boost.
