Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee are becoming the players they were meant to be

On January 30, 2025, the Calgary Flames made a bold move. They traded a struggling Andrei Kuzmenko, along with youngster Jakob Pelletier, a second-round pick and a seventh-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers. In return, two young players, struggling to find the production they had just a few years ago, in Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee, went the other way. The move that looked to address a need down the middle with Frost. Buying low on a then 24 and 25-year-old to help the team in their push for the playoffs.

Kuzmenko didn’t do much in Philly and was traded not long after to the Los Angeles Kings. Pelletier is also no longer with the Flyers, playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Farabee and Frost also struggled in their few months donning the Flaming C last season. A team that struggled in the offensive zone didn’t help them as they were largely ineffective. Now, in their first full season in Calgary, it seems that the two are beginning to write a new chapter. Let’s look at each player individually.

Morgan Frost

Career thus far

Morgan Frost was the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, with the Flyers taking the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds star. Playing four years in the OHL, his most productive year came in his draft year, where in 58 games, Frost recorded 109 points – 37 goals, 72 assists. In the playoffs, he added another 18 points through 11 games – 7 goals, 11 assists.

After making the jump to pro hockey, it didn’t take long for Frost to get acclimated to the change in pace. After a couple of brief stints with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, he was a regular NHLer who was to be counted upon to make an impact. While in hindsight he didn’t make that impact that was hoped for, it’s easy to see why he was expected to perform at such a level.

Underlying numbers

A fast and quick-thinking centreman, Frost brings a lot to the table. If we head over to Natural Stat Trick, we see that, in just three games so far, he has a Corsi For percentage of 55.93%. Now, what this measures is his ability to control possession, dictate play, and create chances when Frost is on the ice. It takes the shot attempts for when the player is on the ice versus shot attempts against. For reference, the best Corsi percentage of Frost’s career – during a full season – is a 51.35% in the 2023–24 season. That just happens to be the season in which he posted his second-best point total (41) and career high in assists (28).

With one goal for and one against through three games, he has a Goals For percentage of 50%. Although it is a small sample size, it is definitely worth examining. Compare it to its best season on the stat sheet, the 2022–23 season. That year, his percentage was 48.96%, the second-best of his career. It’s only behind his 2023–24 season, where he had just five fewer points in 10 fewer games. In his career, he has had one season in which his PDO exceeded 1.000, the 2023–24 season, his best season to date. As of right now, his PDO is at 1.014.

Play style

When we look at what he excels at, it’s quite easy to see just how he can create so many chances. First off, it’s his speed. According to NHL Edge, his top speed so far this season is 22.73 MPH, which places him firmly in the 97th percentile of the league. He uses his speed to drive the puck up the ice, barreling through all three zones. If you watch him closely, you see him use that speed ot good use.

Next up is his exceptional playmaking ability. Frost has never been the elite scorer; instead, he has been the guy who sets his teammates up and creates the opportunities. His hands are better than many, and he can be one of the elite playmakers and puck handlers in the game. He hasn’t fully become that player in the NHL; however, there have been moments where we see flashes of it. With the Greyhounds, he was that playmaker.

Joel Farabee

Career thus far

Born in Cicero, New York, Joel Farabee was selected 14th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. A product of the USNTDP, Farabee developed into an over a point-per-game player. In his D+1 year, he went to the NCAA playing for Boston University, where he registered 36 points – 17 goals, 19 assists – through 37 games.

He was subsequently named to the USA’s World Juniors roster, where he had 5 points – 3 goals, 2 assists – through 7 games. Playing only five games in the AHL, Farabee became an impact player almost immediately in the city of brotherly love. Just a couple of seasons back, he set a career high in goals, assists, and points, though he has struggled to produce offence since.

Underlying numbers

Looking at Farabee’s Corsi For percentage, it is currently sitting at 47.37%, not close to his best, but still something to look at. The 47.37% is better than his time with the Flyers last season. Although it is worse than when he was on the Flames after the trade. His best came during the 2023–24 season when he had a 51.09%. From this, you see what many others see: that when Farabee is at his best, he is dangerous in the offensive zone and a force to be reckoned with. That 23–24 season is also when he set his career highs. 50 points – 22 goals, 28 assists – through 82 games.

Farabee has a goal with two goals against, putting his Goals For percentage at 33.33%. As mentioned previously, it is a small sample size, and he definitely can improve upon that. For example, his career high was 52.44% in the 2021–22 season. Through the short amount played this season, Farabee has his highest PDO since the 2022–23 season. While not quite breaking 1.000, it is a step in the right direction seeing his metric improve.

Play style

What has made Joel Farabee such a dangerous offensive threat in the past is his IQ and ability to find scoring chances. Looking at Farabee’s metrics and watching him play, you see a complete difference in his and Frost’s play. Unlike Frost, Farabee doesn’t excel in any specific part; he instead is an extremely efficient all-around player. He has slowed down a bit since his junior days; it went from a standout skill of his to just above average at the pro level.

Primarily, he excels using his grit and IQ to get to scoring chances and give himself those opportunities. At 6’0″, 183lbs, he isn’t afraid to get into puck battles or go net-front. Just like Frost, he covers lots of ice, having skated 8.92 miles, placing him in the 80th percentile. He spends lots of time in the offensive zone, with 44.85% of his ice time coming in the final third. Compare that to the league average of 42.7%.

Lastly, Farabee has shown flashes of being an efficient scorer in the NHL. In two of his six seasons, he has scored 20+ goals, although he has never scored more than 22 goals. There have been glimpses of his scoring touch; if Calgary can fully bring that part out of him, along with his grit and hockey IQ, he can be a potential top-line forward.

What has changed this season?

So far this season, the line of Farabee – Frost – Sharangovich also leads the Flames in High Danger Chances For, with four through three games. The true “second line” on this team has been showing extreme promise, with an Expected Goals For percentage of 40.20%. That is higher than the 37.58% that the line of Coronato – Kadri – Gridin has produced.

Last year, the two of them struggled immensely in almost all aspects of the ice. This season, they have started going back to what originally made them strong players. Frost is reverting to his puck handling and playmaking, not trying to be more than he is. Playing to his strengths, we have seen him already create multiple Grade A chances, especially against the St. Louis Blues. In a game where the Flames couldn’t finish their chances, Frost was almost always the one sending the puck towards the net.

What does this mean for the Flames?

Frost and Farabee are both 26 and 25 years old, respectively. The two of them aren’t old by any means. If Ryan Huska and the rest of the Flames organization can keep up the trajectory of having them surpass their best seasons, they will be extremely effective. The rest of the season will be the litmus test as to whether or not they can truly turn it around. If three games are anything to go off of, it certainly seems that they are well on the way to being what they were expected to become.