Date Published: 1-5-2023
Photo Credit: Zack Hill
The Goaltending problems that have haunted this proud organization seem to be a thing of the past. Carter Hart is the franchise netminder, and the Flyers have promising young netminders in Samuel Ersson and Felix Sandström waiting in the wings to be Hart’s backup in the near future, as early as next season for that matter.
The former Vasteras IK product in Ersson appears to a confident one after his first four stints in the NHL. He is 3-0, with a 2.90 GAA, and a .905 Save Percentage to start his NHL career. Ersson is agile, and really moving well laterally from post to post. He has a good glove hand, as he snares pucks out of mid air. For his efforts, Ersson has a 2.00 GAA, and a .930 Save Percentage in his last three starts, and he led the Flyers to a sweep of the California road trip for the first time in franchise history.
This was an unlikely role given to him, with the sickness to Felix Sandström, but he is relishing his new role with the Flyers. Ersson is really turning some heads in a good way for the Flyers proud faithful.
“I’m starting to feel more comfortable. It’s the wins that matter. We got the win I’m happy with that.” – Samuel Ersson said following the game against the Anaheim Ducks
Ersson wants to prove that he is a Goaltender that the Flyers can rely on in the future to back up Carter Hart. Unfortunately, there is one technicality that may force the Flyers to send Ersson back to Lehigh at some point, thus keeping Felix Sandström as Hart’s backup. Of course, now that Carter Hart is officially off IR (Injured Reserve).
Sandström is no longer waivers exempt, whereas, Ersson is. Ersson could be sent to Lehigh without any team snagging him off waivers. If a young promising netminder in Sandström was claimed off waivers. It could really derail things in Lehigh, and the Reading Royals organization, as well, thus depleting the stock of goalies within the system. The ineptitude of the Flyers organization would be at the forefront here if this were to happen.
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During this season with the Flyers, Sandström has played in nine games (1-6-1 record) while compiling a GAA of 3.73, and a Save Percentage of .888. He also has been dealing with a sickness here as of late. Sandström on paper, does not do Sandström justice unless you are watching him in person. He’s mainly played on the leg of the second end of back to back situations, and has kept the Flyers in games at times.
Sandström is signed through the 2023-24 season, so it will be interesting to see how things play out with him and Ersson. Ersson appears to be favored by Head Coach John Tortorella, at least at the moment, so let’s see how this shapes up in the coming days. One thing is for certain, a three goalie system will only last for so long, playing time is key for a young netminder so a decision will be made shortly.
Team USA Update at the WJC
Team USA lost 6-2 to Canada last night, thus the Americans will play Sweden today at 230pm EST in the Bronze medal game.
Cutter Gauthier was nearly invincible last night against a tough Canada team. Gauthier has been inconsistent at the WJC. For the first few games of the tournament, plus adding the game against Germany he was one of the best skaters for the Americans. Unfortunately, in between those games he has been nearly invincible. Consistency is a major key for a young player, and he needs to regain that rhythm when he returns to Boston College for the remainder of the season.
