It has been over a year since Nolan Patrick has played hockey in the NHL. His last game was on April 2, 2019 in a loss to the Dallas Stars. In the second period of that game, Patrick recorded an assist with Travis Konecny on an Oskar Lindblom goal. That was the end of his second NHL season, the best of his young career. Patrick proved in his first two seasons that he is a balanced scorer, flourishing before our very eyes.
We are now approaching mid-July 2020. Nolan Patrick was diagnosed with his migraine disorder on September 12, 2019. His diagnosis withdrew him from playing with the Philadelphia Flyers throughout 2019-2020. Chuck Fletcher held out hope that Patrick could return to play this season if he recovers from his migraines. A return to the Stanley Cup 2020 playoffs from July 13, 2020 was ruled out.
When Nolan Patrick was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, reaching the second line was not a crazy projection. Claude Giroux will not be on the Flyers forever and slips left in some of Alain Vigneault’s lineups. At his peak in the 2019-2020 season, Patrick would have fit perfectly in the third line behind Sean Couturier and Kevin Hayes if Giroux secured the wing. Patrick would probably have been a fourth-line center considering Giroux’s front-line center status. The possibilities for training would have been endless if Patrick could have overcome the migraines.
Philadelphia Flyers can make a heartbreaking decision regarding Nolan Patrick’s future. Ultimately, if the Flyers got away from Patrick and he could still play professional hockey, his dream would still be intact. Contract negotiations are not a place for sentimental ties. Patrick is a restricted free agent in the NHL 2020 offseason. There is a possibility that he may not receive a qualified offer priced at $ 3,775mil due to the uncertainty of his future.
An undeniable truth was discovered in the 2019-2020 season. The Philadelphia Flyers do not depend on the return of Nolan Patrick. While their return would be beneficial, the Flyers finished sixth in the NHL standings and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Scott Laughton played the best hockey of his career this season. If Philadelphia built a plan to keep Patrick, they should allow him to become an unrestricted free agent and re-sign a cheaper deal for a year.
It all depends on Nolan Patrick’s health. No other NHL team will know its status before the 2020-2021 season. If the Philadelphia Flyers have faith in Patrick’s return, they can make a friendly offer to keep him if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. It would be hard to imagine Patrick signing a multi-year contract in the face of uncertainty.
Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Eric graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in English. While at school, he began writing for different publications such as The Highlight Network, Amps, and Greenscreens, and made color comments for the University of Delaware Lacrosse Men’s and Women’s Teams throughout the 2013 season as a student. Before appearing on the Philly Sports Network, he started a pro-wrestling podcast with a childhood friend named Totally Over Podcast. As an avid sports player for all things Philly, Eric is also a proud supporter of the University of West Virginia.
