Photo Credit: Zack Hill
The Goaltending problems that have haunted this proud organization are a thing of the past. Carter Hart is the franchise netminder, and Flyers have a promising young netminder Samuel Ersson blooming before our eyes.
Ersson was masterful in his final season for Brynas, in Sweden, well posting a 2.96 GAA, and a .911 Save Percentage in 42 games. His numbers do not do him Justice, but he was phenomenal for Brynas. He opened some eyes last season, “I’m feeling good,” Ersson said at Developmental Camp. “I had skated just now and had another skate yesterday. My body’s feeling good, feeling positive, and making the right strides.”
“It will take a little time,” Ersson said back at training camp. “Still have a ways to go until training camp. I haven’t been on ice for much time, so it will take some time on the ice to get to really get to 100%. I will say these last couple of skates have been positive and I felt better than maybe I thought I would. Just keep on working and getting more reps out on the ice. I’ll get back in no time.”
That was then, this is now. Fresh off his first NHL shutout and great season with the Flyers. Ersson has earned himself a new two-year contract, worth $2.9 million ($1.45 million AAV). He looked smooth, calm, cool and collected in 2022-23. Ersson is an agile netminder that can cover ground quickly. Ersson moves post to post laterally well, and has a good glove hand.
The former Vasteras IK product in Ersson appears to a confident one after his first 12 stints in the NHL. He was 6-3, with a 3.07 GAA, and a .899 Save Percentage to start his NHL career. Ersson is agile, and really moved well laterally from post to post. He has a good glove hand, as he snares pucks out of mid air. For his efforts, Ersson earned 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 seemed to relish his new role with the Flyers. Ersson really turned some heads in a good way for the Flyers proud faithful, and took this backup goaltending spot by the bullhorns for a short period of time. However, John Tortorella seemed to favor Ersson over Sandström when Felix came back from injury.
“Obviously feels great, it’s special, but it’s the win that matters.” – Samuel Ersson said following his first career NHL shutout
Ersson wants to prove that he is a Goaltender that the Flyers can rely on in the future to back up Carter Hart. Of course, he could head back with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms shortly, due to Felix Sandström not being waivers exempt this season, but this new contract serves as a promise and belief in his abilities from the organization. Hopefully, he progresses this season to take over the backup role for the Flyers organization possibly as early as next season. Yes, he’s that good, “Every game he’s played, he’s come up with a few huge stops. I wish we got him that that shut-out a week ago. They got a last-minute goal. But he deserved one tonight, so I’m really happy for him.” – Noah Cates said following a Buffalo game
