Felix Sandström was primed and ready for his journey with the Flyers organization the moment he signed an Entry-Level-Contract a few years ago. Sandström can move laterally from post to post well, and most times when a person thinks he is out of play somehow he finds a way to make a highlight reel save.
In a matter of just 24 hours or so after signing a contract with HCTPS in Finland. Sandström finds himself back in the Flyers organization after agreeing to re-sign a one-year deal with the Flyers worth $750,000.
After Flyers President and General Manager Chuck Fletcher spoke yesterday to the media. It sure sounded like Fletcher accepted Sandström leaving to play in Europe stating, “He wants to play number one Goaltender minutes.” Fletcher said he couldn’t guarantee that for Sandström, but Fletcher did say they would be in touch and talk. Well, 24 hours later Sandström re-signs with the organization, and the Flyers said he would play for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms next season.
What changed? A few things, maybe Fletcher worked his magic and convinced Sandström to re-sign, thus this might spell the end of Alex Lyon with the Flyers organization. In addition, maybe he will compete with Samuel Ersson and Kirill Ustimenko for the starting role with the Phantoms, and if he doesn’t win it maybe then he goes overseas to play in Finland. Think of this as a safety net with signing a contract with HCTPS.
One last scenario is the upcoming expansion draft. Maybe Sandström becomes a candidate to expose as the Flyers need to expose one netminder that is under contract for the 2022-22 season (Or qualify for that matter if they are a RFA).
Fast forward to the 2020-21 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. For about half the season it was anything but blissful. Sandström has moved back and forth between the Phantoms and the Flyers Taxi Squad gracefully. Moreover, he spent two-three weeks on the Taxi Squad roster at one point over the course of this season. Sandström never once complained that we know of, and I guarantee he would say it is part of the job. I explain this because his numbers do not do him justice this season with the Phantoms, as he has compiled a 4-3-2 record, 3.45 GAA, and a .897 Save Percentage. However, Sandström has played well in the past six to seven games of the season for the Phantoms, while becoming a brick wall in the process.
Sandström plays well as he sees more playing time. The young 24-year-old netminder in Sandström hoped to build off last season, and he has done such. Do not give up on this promising netminder Flyers fans as Chuck Fletcher believes in Sandström. I’m still high on this young man, ad he has cat like reflexes.
