One thing that keeps getting overlooked with Philip Tomasino is that although he’s been deployed almost exclusively as a winger at the NHL level, he was consistently projected as a long-term center throughout his draft years. Multiple scouting reports described him as a high-tempo, explosive skater with elite hands, strong vision, and the ability to attack through the middle of the ice, traits that profile much more naturally at center than as a complementary winger. He never really got a true runway at the position in Nashville or Pittsburgh because of roster congestion, and by the time he was moved to wing, the development path sort of froze. Given the Flyers’ current center depth, which is solid but not exactly dynamic, this feels like a low-risk opportunity to experiment after the Olympic break. If they’re serious about evaluating upside during this retool, calling him up and giving him 15 to 20 games at 3C with consistent minutes could be worthwhile. A line like LWCates–CTomasino–RWBrink would give him responsible support on one side and a skilled playmaker on the other, or even LWBrink–CTomasino–RWGrebenkin if they want to lean into pace and transition. Worst case, you confirm he’s better suited as a winger. Best case, you uncover a controllable middle-six center entering his prime. Considering he’s 24 and cost-controlled, it seems like a smarter move to test it properly rather than let his contract expire without ever seeing what he can be in the role he was originally drafted to play.

5 comments

  2. This is a solid assessment and I’d be all for him getting a shot. With Abols out we’ve been relying on one of Hathaway or Deslauriers in the lineup every night. Have to look at what we have for the future, and neither of them factor into the long term plan.

  3. I also think some context matters with Tomasino. His NHL development hasn’t exactly been linear, in Nashville he put up 32 points as a 20-year-old, then got shuffled in and out of the lineup in a heavier, defense-first system. In Pittsburgh, he landed on a veteran roster where he was mostly a 12 to 14 minute winger behind established centers. He’s never really gotten a sustained runway at center at the NHL level. Even in Lehigh Valley this year, he’s been playing on a depleted roster that’s lost key pieces to call-ups and injuries. The underlying possession numbers across his stops have generally been neutral to positive, the issue has been role stability and deployment, not getting territorially caved in. In terms of ceiling, he’s not a 1C, but he profiles more like a middle-six, pace-driving hybrid forward in the mold of a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-lite or Anthony Cirelli-type deployment (not stylistically identical, but in role) a guy who can play center or wing, push transition, chip in 45–55 points in the right situation, and elevate linemates with speed. If you never give him a real stretch at center with consistent top-nine minutes, you’ll never know if that version is still in there

  4. It’s worth at least a shot with where we are at but I don’t know if Tocc is going to go the experimental route

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