Date Published: 12-28-2022
Photo Credit: Jill Rice
The Flyers dreadful, injury riddled season again takes place in Philadelphia, where media and fans are left once again scratching their heads, as today Carter Hart has been placed on IR (Injured Reserve). In addition, Max Willman has been placed on waivers with the purpose of sending him to Lehigh, and Olle Lycksell has been recalled for the road trip. What an unreal turn of events, where yesterday even John Tortorella was optimistic of Hart traveling and playing on this road trip, even so much so that he said he didn’t know if the Flyers would rotate a three goalie system for this road trip in California.
Theoretically, Hart could play Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings if the Flyers back dated his injury status to 12-23-2022/12-24-2022. In the grand scheme of things, hopefully, Hart recovers quickly. But, it’s not a bad thing to get a look at an Samuel Ersson/Felix Sandström tandem. Let the young kids play, as opposed to bringing in a vet to clog up a spot.
John Tortorella does confirm that Carter Hart is currently in concussion protocol, and feeling good enough to practice. He has to get cleared to play Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. He will travel and the hope is he plays the final two games of the trip. Hart has to clear one last evaluation before he is cleared to play on Saturday. In any event, Samuel Ersson starts tomorrow for the orange and black.
Taking us back to Hart’s injury. The Flyers were getting pummeled, an onslaught was taking place with the Carolina Hurricanes up 6-2 with 17:52 to go in the second period. Hart goes down and everyone was left gasping for air. Here is a picture of Hart practicing yesterday, and he is also on the ice practicing today. Just a weird turn of events, and never a dull moment in Flyer Land.
“I talked to him over the break. Yea, today it doesn’t seem like he had any problems at all.” – John Tortorella on Carter Hart after practice yesterday
Rasmus Ristolainen pushed a Cane into Hart and Hart flew back into the net.. He was then pulled for Samuel Ersson, to which Ersson made 25 saves on 30 shots faced in his NHL Debut.. Hart apparently sustained an upper body injury, and that is all that was told to us from the Flyers at the time.
Hart, I’m sure was reevaluated following the Christmas break, so let’s hope it’s nothing serious. John Tortorella thinks Hart is good to go and will play on the upcoming road trip. This would be a tall task to replace Hart, but now is a good time to get a look at a young and upcoming goaltending tandem in Ersson/Sandström.