This time, Phil Myers at least has a locker stall.

Before he was recalled from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last weekend, the last time he was in the Flyers’ locker room was two seasons ago at the end of training camp. He was in a folding chair because all the stalls were full and only a couple cuts were left to make. Turns out he was one of them and he’s still waiting to make his NHL debut.

“It was me and (Travis Konecny) and we were sitting beside each other on chairs in the middle of the room here,” he said. “Definitely an upgrade from that.”

The seating arrangement is great, but he’d rather be playing. So far he hasn’t been able to crack the Flyers’ lineup. It seems he’s only around as an extra body because the Flyers had a road trip to Minnesota Monday night and was on the trip to Detroit for a game Sunday.

His real opportunity, the one to stick in the NHL for good, will likely have to wait until next season.

“For him to come up here for a week, two weeks, it’s not gonna hurt his development,” said Flyers interim coach Scott Gordon, who instructed Myers with the Phantoms last season and this year until he was named Dave Hakstol’s interim successor in December. “It would be one thing if he was gonna be up here for one, two, three months and not play, but right now we have to have seven defensemen with the games that we had and back-to-back again (this weekend).

“It’s kind of harder to take one of the defensemen out of the lineup when you’re in the midst of a run that’s been successful and kind of minimize the effort that those other six defensemen have done. It would be different if there were an injury. I wouldn’t have any hesitancy. It would be different if there was one guy that was really struggling all the way through it, but that hasn’t been the case so as much as I can’t wait to see him in the lineup, it’s gotta be under the right circumstance.”

The Flyers’ defense certainly hasn’t been perfect but that doesn’t make it any easier for Myers, who has been the Phantoms’ best defenseman this season and earned a recall to the NHL. Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said last weekend Myers deserves at least a couple games, too.

Having to wait, Myers said, motivates him further.

“I’m anxious to get into the lineup. I’m hungry,” Myers said. “I want to get on the ice and help the team win. Being here in the room and being here with the guys, it shows me how much closer I am to my goal, which is to be here to stay. When I get the opportunity, I’ll be ready. I’m excited and I’m hungry for an opportunity here.”

With so much interest in the team’s prospect group, the Courier-Post will check in on the promising young players each week. Here’s the latest progress report with insights from Tony Androckitis, reporter for insideAHLhockey.com.

* all statistics through Friday, February 15.

Carsen Twarynski, left wing

Age: 21

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 198 pounds

Acquired: 2016 third-round pick (82nd overall)

This season: 47 games, 6 goals, 10 assists

The skinny: After a really good training camp, Twarynski looked like he could be on the short list for a recall. That was under a different coach and general manager, though. Since Justin Bailey was traded for, it seems he jumped Twarynski in the pecking order. Twarynski may still get a shot eventually (maybe not this season, though) and seems to have adapted to the pro hockey scene in his rookie season.

Androckitis’ take: “Early on, it seemed like Twarynski was simply thinking and trying to do too much. Adjusting to the pro game takes time, and Twarynski has certainly learned that in 2018. As the calendar turned to 2019, you can see he's on the right path now. He knows the way he has to play to be successful. He has a good shot. The rest of his rookie season is up to bringing that level of play consistently night in and night out.”

Mark Friedman, defense

Age: 23

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds

Acquired: 2014 third-round pick (86th overall)

This season: 51 games, 4 goals, 14 assists

The skinny: Friedman outlasted Myers in training camp this season. He was the last defenseman sent to the minors and has put together some really good hockey. His foot speed remains his biggest asset. He has the frame of Shayne Gostisbehere but isn’t as good at getting his shot through to the net just yet. Depending on who goes down, Friedman could be an injury replacement for the Flyers. It’s harder to see where he fits with everyone healthy considering a lot of the defense is homegrown and he’s beneath Myers and Samuel Morin on the depth chart.

Androckitis’ take: “Another guy coming to Lehigh Valley after a strong training camp in the fall, Friedman has gone from a third-pairing AHL defenseman with a limited role last year to a minute-eating, two-way defender playing big minutes on both special teams units. He's not the biggest guy on the ice, but it doesn't prevent him from being hard to play against in the defensive zone. He's also the team's pest, routinely getting under opponent's skin and drawing punches and penalties along the way. Should be interesting to see what happens with Phil Myers and where he finishes the stretch run. If Myers stays in the NHL, Friedman's minutes will only continue to become more meaningful.”

Reece Willcox, defense

Age: 24

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 183 pounds

Acquired: 2012 fifth-round pick (141st overall)

This season: 44 games, 2 goals, 12 assists

The skinny: He doesn’t get the headlines because he isn’t a point-producing defenseman, but the Flyers have noticed Willcox and what he does in the American Hockey League. The right-handed shot plays a physical game and entered the pro scene a little more advanced than most having played at Cornell for four seasons.

Androckitis’ take: “He's not leading the charge offensively, but he's definitely getting more comfortable at the AHL level in breaking pucks out, joining the rush and contributing in the offensive zone too. Willcox flies under the radar because he's your typical stay-at-home defenseman that kills penalties, blocks shots, defensive zone starts, matched up against opposition's top scorers, etc. and does those kinds of things that don't show up on the scoresheet. Head coach Kerry Huffman says Willcox is a big part of the reason why the Phantoms' PK unit has been tops in the AHL for most of the season this year.”

Alex Lyon, goaltender

Age: 26

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 201 pounds

Acquired: signed as free agent from Yale University on April 6, 2016

This season: 22 games, 2.55 goals-against average, .921 save percentage

The skinny: Untimely injuries and maybe a little bad luck may have changed the course of Lyon’s career. He has another year left on his contract but it’s unclear what the new Flyers’ regime thinks of him. By the structure of his contract, which is one-way next season, it seems Ron Hextall thought he might be in the NHL next season. Chuck Fletcher, who just traded for Cam Talbot, doesn’t seem as sure.

Androckitis’ take: “It's certainly been a challenging season for Lyon, especially early in the season with the injuries and constant flux between the NHL and AHL. He recently missed some time due to injury again, but now that he's been with Lehigh Valley for a longer stretch (and appears to be penciled into the Phantoms' roster for the stretch run) he's been nothing but solid and provided his team a chance to win each night he's between the pipes. He's allowed two or fewer goals in his last five starts, something that will be important for the Phantoms heading toward a postseason berth in a challenging Atlantic Division.”

Dave Isaac; @davegisaac; 856-486-2479; disaac@gannett.com