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As Flyers swoon, their farm team, Lehigh Valley, is soaring

While the Flyers are going through their worst stretch of the season, their top farm team is surging. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, who have several prospects who figure to help the Flyers at some point, have the second-best record (25-10-2) in the 30-team AHL.

While the Flyers are going through their worst stretch of the season, their top farm team is surging.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, who have several prospects who figure to help the Flyers at some point, have the second-best record (25-10-2) in the 30-team AHL.

They lead the league in goals per game (3.7) and are among the leaders in goals allowed (2.6).

"It's not an easy sell to get offensive players to play more defense . . . but they've done that," Phantoms coach Scott Gordon said.

Can any of the prospects help the Flyers now or in the foreseeable future?

"I can't get over the number of quality prospects our organization has," Gordon said this week. "I know every organization probably thinks they have [quality] guys, but I look back when I was in Providence, and back in those years, if we had one guy who was a sure thing a year, that would be expected. But if you look at the players here . . . the ability is there. There's no timetable, but when the time is right, they will get the opportunity."

Gordon said he couldn't put a number on how many Phantoms he expected to be Flyers regulars down the road, but he believes many have the talent and the physical ability to reach that level.

"It's just a question of how quick it is and what their learning curve is," he said.

Center Jordan Weal, acquired in the deal that sent Luke Schenn and Vinny Lecavalier to Los Angeles last year, and left winger Greg Carey (21 goals, tied for No. 1 in the AHL) have been among the Phantoms' offensive catalysts.

The smallish but shifty Weal has 37 points in 35 games and, along with swift left winger Taylor Leier, and defenseman T.J. Brennan, was selected to play in the Jan. 30 All-Star Game at the PPL Center in Allentown.

"I've been really impressed with his game down here, and not just the offensive part," Gordon said. "His commitment to get better every day is second to none. As good as he's been on offense, his commitment to play defense is not what you expect from an offensive player. He hates getting scored on just as much as he loves to score. And that's a unique attribute for a player of his abilities."

Weal is plus-7 on a team that has outscored its opponents, 136-98.

Center Scott Laughton has six goals and 14 points in 23 AHL games since being demoted from the Flyers. It sounds as if he is being molded into Sean Couturier Lite.

"One of the things we've talked to Scott about is being more of a shutdown guy, working on his defensive part of the game, killing penalties, and being the guy who takes the big faceoffs," Gordon said. "Just giving him a role that, ultimately, if things work out, he has that responsibility when he goes back to the NHL."

"In talking to Ron," Gordon added, referring to Ron Hextall, the Flyers' general manager, "that's the role he wanted him slotted into and he's done well. He's strong and he can play that role."

After a slow start, right winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel (eight points, plus-7), a first-year pro, has made major strides, Gordon said.

"His points don't show the improvement, but from a positional standpoint and understanding the game and being ready every day, he's made huge growth," Gordon said. "At some point, he's going to take the next step because he's done all the other little things that don't get noticed."

Sam Morin (6-foot-7, 225 pounds) and Travis Sanheim (6-3, 202) are the Phantoms' defensemen with the best upside.

"Those guys have the size, the skill, and the skating ability to have an NHL career," Gordon said. "What's been exciting is their willingness to learn and get better. Every day they're very committed. You don't have to ask them to do extra in the gym. They work at it and continue to get stronger and bigger. What they are now is not what they're going to be in a year or two."

Robert Hagg has also been one of the team's most consistent defensemen, Gordon said, and Moorestown's Brennan (31 points) has been the Phantoms' best offensive defenseman.

Goalies Anthony Stolarz (2.38 goals-against average, .921 save percentage), who was impressive in four games with the Flyers, and Alex Lyon (2.68, .909) have improved their stock. Lyon, a former Yale standout who is a first-year pro, has had just "one bad game" in 25 appearances, Gordon said.

Gordon said small but speedy left wingers Chris Conner (5-7, 181; 31 points) and Danick Martel (5-8, 166; 22 points) shouldn't be overlooked. "Never say never," he said on whether they could play for the Flyers some day.

Breakaways. After four days off because of their bye, the Flyers will resume practicing at 4 p.m. Friday in Voorhees before hosting New Jersey on Saturday night. . . . The Flyers have lost 11 of their last 14 games.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

@BroadStBull philly.com/flyersblog