Photo Credit: Eric Hartline/USA Today
The Flyers knew they had some tough decisions ahead of them as the roster wss getting healthier. Today was one of those tough decisions, as they placed Felix Sandström on waivers. This could pave the way for Marc Staal to re-enter the lineup next week. Sandström has also been on Injured Reserve (IR). Moreover, at one point last season it appeared Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella favored Samuel Ersson over Sandström, which lead to even more pressure for Sandström to put forth an excellent camp.
The former HV71 product appeared to be confident, and one could see the jubilation on his face in the locker room last year while playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2021-22, especially towards the latter part of the season. I once again derived a quote he said to me at Flyers Developmental Camp back in 2019, “I’m confident in my abilities,” Sandström said to me back in 2019. “I am ready for the journey ahead, and I do not think I will have a hard time adjusting to the size of the rink. Carter Hart is a good Goaltender. I’m coming in to kill it, should be no different from Sweden. I’m going to work my butt off.”
Fast forward to the 2021-22 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. For about the first quarter of the season it was anything but blissful, as the Phantoms were navigating through covid concerns, and injuries. Moreover, Sandström is also no stranger to Taxi Squads as he was recalled to the Taxi Squad earlier in the season. He compiled a 15-18-5 record, 2.96 GAA, and a .900 Save Percentage with the Phantoms during the 2021-22 season. However, Sandström played well in the past four to five games, while becoming a brick wall for a young Phantoms club before this recent recall.
Sandström plays well as he sees more playing time. Some goalies need to play to keep their game fresh, especially for confidence purposes, and Sandström is one of those netminders. Felix finally made his NHL Debut during the 2021-22 season, and he played rather well with backstopping 43 saves on 46 shots faced for a whopping .935 Save Percentage in the 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on December 30, 2021. He became the 715th former ECHL player to make his NHL Debut.
Felix just wants to prove that he is a Goaltender that a team can rely on in the future. Unfortunately, Sandström hasn’t made “That” save, like Hart has primarily all season long. At some point, Sandström has to make “That” save or saves for that matter, to stay afloat in the NHL.
Edmonton could be a team that claims Sandström. Let’s see what happens tomorrow if he clears waivers, and gets sent to the Phantoms.
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