John Tortorella Has Made an Announcement About The Flyers Goaltending Situation
PUBLICATION
Sky
February 16, 2023 (10:00)
The Philadelphia Flyers were left in a tough scenario since day 2 of the NHL's training camp.
That issue was surrounding the Flyers' backup goaltending role, goaltender
Felix Sandstrom held the position but was quickly put in question for it when 23-year old
Samuel Ersson had his first showing.
Samuel Ersson impressed many during training camp, including John Tortorella who is a hard man to please and get recognition from. Tortorella didn't comment on many players from the Flyers training camp, but he made it well aware that Samuel Ersson blew him away.
Sadly, the Flyers did not give Ersson a shot to start the season and instead they kept with their backup goaltender from the past few seasons, Felix Sandstrom. Felix has had a rough go this year, very rough, having just one win and eight losses tallied up. Many fans, and players believe the Flyers do not give Sandstrom the kind of defense they do with goaltender Carter Hart, some also say Sandstrom is just not good enough for the NHL.
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Well when the Flyers called up Samuel Ersson about one month ago or so, he earned himself the NHL's 3rd start of the week out of the entire league, posting up 4-straight wins where he would make his NHL record 5 wins and 0 losses (5-0) and also posted up outstanding save percentages throughout that time.
Shutting out the hot Buffalo Sabres at the time, and posting above a .950SV% throughout his other games, it truly left the Flyers in a pickle.
The issue was, if the Flyers were to send Felix Sandstrom to their respective AHL team and keep Ersson as the Flyers full-time backup to Carter Hart, Sandstrom would have to clear waivers, which means he'd be at risk of being claimed by another organization.
It seems as if Tortorella has made up his mind, and with recent injury news coming to light for the Flyers they have an open roster spot which will be used by Samuel Ersson, yes, the Flyers will be rolling with three goaltenders but it seems as if Sandstrom will be the odd one out with John Tortorella's recent statement. Stating that if Carter does not play, Ersson will.
John Tortorella on Samuel Ersson:
"Ers (Samuel Ersson) deserves to be here. I told you guys early on he was one of our best goalies at camp. He deserves to be here. That is no criticism of Sandy, but Ers (Ersson) deserves to be here. If Carter does not play, he will."
Previously on FlyersInsider
POLL |
16 FEVRIER | 197 ANSWERS John Tortorella Has Made an Announcement About The Flyers Goaltending Situation Should the Flyers try to trade away Felix Sandstrom? |
Yes | 181 | 91.9 % |
No | 16 | 8.1 % |
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