Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] Zohorna recalled. Phillips and DeSimone assigned to Wranglers

SuperMatt18 · 12-29-2022, 11:15 AM

To me I see a guy that was given NHL games but not really an opportunity. To me my concern is I look at him and think his career path could easily follow that of Jonathan Marchessault.

Coming into the 15-16 season Marchessault was 24 years old (same age as Phillips now) and had very comparable AHL numbers to Phillips.

Marchessault: 5 seasons, 306 GP, 98 G, 263 P, 0.86 PPG

Phillips: 5 seasons, 220 GP, 84 G, 194 P, 0.88 PPG

At that point in his career and despite consistent AHL production, Marchessault had 4 NHL games under his belt (Phillips is at 3 right now)

Tampa gave Marchessault a look in the second half of the 15-16 season and he had 7 goals, 18 points in 45 games in limited ice time. The underlying rates were great though (55.8 xGF and 1.62 points per 60 in 9 minutes at 5v5 per game)

Marchessault was able to walk as a UFA after the season (similar to Phillips he was able to be UFA at 25 when this season ends), Tampa wanted to keep him but Florida promised more opportunities.

Funnily enough it was actually a Huberdeau injury that gave him top 6 minutes in Florida to start that season and he took off with a 30 goal, 50 point year. Florida didn’t think he would replicate it, and were crazy and made that terrible move with Vegas to give them Smith and Marchessault and he’s been great ever since.

To me they are similar players too. Primarily playmakers but good shots and can finish around the net, both are good skaters with a knack to get behind defensemen even if they don’t have elite speed, strong with the puck if not overly flashy (neither is Gaudreau with the puck), and both not afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas a little.

In both cases people thought they would be too small for that skill set to translate at the NHL level.

It’s more likely Phillips becomes nothing at the NHL level for sure, but it’s interesting because it’s rare to see a guy who’s had his production at the AHL level under the age of 25…who hasn’t had at least 30-50 NHL games to see if there is something there at that point.

And Phillips has looked fine in his three games with a 71.8% on ice xGF and generating high danger chances at a good clip. For a team that desperately needs a top 9 RH RW it just seems so stubborn and almost petty at this point (that ridiculous answer to the question about Phillips screams petty to Me) by Sutter to refuse to just give him even a 5 game look.

12-29-2022, 11:15 AM	#180
SuperMatt18 Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Exp:	To me I see a guy that was given NHL games but not really an opportunity. To me my concern is I look at him and think his career path could easily follow that of Jonathan Marchessault. Coming into the 15-16 season Marchessault was 24 years old (same age as Phillips now) and had very comparable AHL numbers to Phillips. Marchessault: 5 seasons, 306 GP, 98 G, 263 P, 0.86 PPG Phillips: 5 seasons, 220 GP, 84 G, 194 P, 0.88 PPG At that point in his career and despite consistent AHL production, Marchessault had 4 NHL games under his belt (Phillips is at 3 right now) Tampa gave Marchessault a look in the second half of the 15-16 season and he had 7 goals, 18 points in 45 games in limited ice time. The underlying rates were great though (55.8 xGF and 1.62 points per 60 in 9 minutes at 5v5 per game) Marchessault was able to walk as a UFA after the season (similar to Phillips he was able to be UFA at 25 when this season ends), Tampa wanted to keep him but Florida promised more opportunities. Funnily enough it was actually a Huberdeau injury that gave him top 6 minutes in Florida to start that season and he took off with a 30 goal, 50 point year. Florida didn’t think he would replicate it, and were crazy and made that terrible move with Vegas to give them Smith and Marchessault and he’s been great ever since. To me they are similar players too. Primarily playmakers but good shots and can finish around the net, both are good skaters with a knack to get behind defensemen even if they don’t have elite speed, strong with the puck if not overly flashy (neither is Gaudreau with the puck), and both not afraid to mix it up in the dirty areas a little. In both cases people thought they would be too small for that skill set to translate at the NHL level. It’s more likely Phillips becomes nothing at the NHL level for sure, but it’s interesting because it’s rare to see a guy who’s had his production at the AHL level under the age of 25…who hasn’t had at least 30-50 NHL games to see if there is something there at that point. And Phillips has looked fine in his three games with a 71.8% on ice xGF and generating high danger chances at a good clip. For a team that desperately needs a top 9 RH RW it just seems so stubborn and almost petty at this point (that ridiculous answer to the question about Phillips screams petty to Me) by Sutter to refuse to just give him even a 5 game look. Last edited by SuperMatt18; 12-29-2022 at 11:52 AM.