HERSHEY – Flyers forward Rodrigo Abols is just the kind of player any NHL team would like to have on its roster.
He’s 29 – not too old or too young — he comes from a hockey background in his native Latvia and the years of international experience make him a versatile player capable of playing on a fourth line or a first.
Drafted by Vancouver way back in 2016, Abols broke into the NHL last season with the Flyers and showed a lot in his 22-game trial. Plus he posted 32 points in 47 games with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
He wouldn’t mind a return to the Flyers this season. The odds might be in his favor because a new coaching staff doesn’t have any real preconceived notions about players.
Abols is the only player to have appeared in each of the Flyers’ first three preseason games, so he’s definitely getting a good look by coach Rick Tocchet’s crew.
“It’s the best chance to prove yourself and I’m not taking anything for granted,” Abols said before Thursday night’s game at the Giant Center. “I’m just trying to do my best out there. I was feeling pretty good those first two games.”
At 6-foot-4, 206 pounds, Abols can hold his own against some of the league’s hefty defensemen.
Right now, it might just come down to whether Abols can hold up to the grind of a heavy workload. That’s why he’s being tested in these early preseason games.
“That’s something I have struggled with in my career at any level of play,” Abols admitted. “Like I can have really good games and the next game kind of have a bigger dip. But I think I handled myself pretty well in the Montreal game (on Tuesday night). I didn’t score but I was pretty satisfied with my game.”
Abols said he worked on several aspects of his game this past summer to tailor his skills more to the NHL style of play.
“First half of the summer I worked on my body so there are no aches and pains and the second half was more speed and power,” he said. “When I was in Sweden I kind of missed that extra half-step. And I can use my size, so that’s something that’s been an emphasis.”
Working for a new coach should be helpful, too.
“For me, I think it’s a big chance because it’s a whole new set of eyes behind the bench,” Abols said. “Everybody kind of starts from a blank page. Obviously he (Tocchet) has an idea of the players who have played in the league. For a guy like me, I think it’s a great chance to come in and show myself.”
Abols takes pride in his play at both ends of the rink. The Flyers are coming off a team minus-48 in plus-minus. Players such as Abols could help rectify that situation.
“I think it’s huge for everyone,” he said. “Nobody likes to lose. Coming over from Sweden, we were three games away from winning a championship. Everybody wants to win. . .seeing the Phillies, seeing the Eagles, everyone here wants to be part of the hype.
“We know how much Philly fans love their sports teams. We just want to put out the best product we can.”
Abols admits he’s not a big American baseball or football fan yet but he did produce a smile when the subject came up.
“I had the Eagles in our fantasy pool,” Abols said. “They got me a little bit of cash. I’m a big Eagles fan now.”
>Injuries update
Here is a Flyers’ injuries update:
>Defenseman Ethan Samson has an upper-body injury and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.
>Defenseman Oliver Bonk remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
>Forward Karsen Dorwart remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
>Forward Lane Pederson remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
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