Flyers Prospects Weekly: Talking Goaltending

Ironically, goaltending may be the position where the Flyers prospect pool is the deepest. Of course, with Carter Hart hopefully the present and future for the franchise in-net, it is an interesting time for this to be the case. Still, Philadelphia possesses some quality young netminders potentially proving to be valuable assets down the line somehow.

In truth, an organization can never have enough quality goaltending. All it takes is one moment for a franchise’s plan between the pipes to turn completely upsidedown. Even if a team hopes never to have to call on a young goaltender unless he is proving to be a better option than whoever is currently playing, knowing that pieces are available in the future can put some minds at ease.

At the same time, an abundance of potentially unused talent also leads to valuable trade chips down the line. Yes, Carter Hart could prevent any of them from becoming a starting netminder in Philadelphia. That does not mean it cannot happen elsewhere. Chuck Fletcher can always place a hot young netminder in a package to address a more immediate need.

Today, we are not trading any of the young netminders. Nor are any of them replacing Martin Jones as the backup. Still, with a relatively slow weekend in prospect land, it is a perfect time to check in on the goalies.

Flyers Prospects Weekly: Volume Four

Lehigh Valley Love

Felix Sandstrom of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Who cares about winning in the AHL? Not me. In my mind, it’s all about developing the young players. Hopefully, if the coaching staff is doing an excellent job, winning becomes the result. Still, providing prospects with ample playing time must be at the forefront of the organization’s mind.

Luckily that has been the plan in-net with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Both Samuel Ersson and Felix Sandstrom have two starts under their belts, and they look solid. Overall, Lehigh Valley cannot seem to get much offense going. Ersson and Sandstrom are keeping them in games, each allowing just 2.05 goals-against. Sandstrom has a slightly better save percentage at .937, but Ersson is right behind him with a .925 SV%.

In his first North American season, Ersson appears to be adjusting smoothly. He is confident between the pipes, demonstrating the mechanics and skill of an eventual NHL netminder. Due to age, Sandstrom might get the first crack behind Hart, but it is hard to argue that Ersson is not the best netminder on the farm for Philadelphia.

Meanwhile in Reading

Kirill Ustimenko of the Reading Royals.

At one point, Kirill Ustimenko looked like a potential backup option for Carter Hart in the future. Although it is not out of the cards, last season’s injury put him down a few rungs. Still, all it would take is a solid start with the Royals, an eventual call-up to Lehigh Valley, and he would be right back in the conversation.

Just one game into his 2021-22 season, things don’t look great for the young Russian. Ustimenko’s current goals-against average is 15.10. His save percentage is not much better, sitting at .625. Is there time for a turnaround? Of course, there is. Is it unfair to take on the “sky is falling narrative” after one game? Absolutely not.

Regardless, with so much competition at the goalie position, it is far too easy for a player to get surpassed by his peers. That will continue to happen if Ustimenko does not show signs of the netminder he was before his injury.

Speaking of Russia

Yes, the Flyers goalies in the KHL are still killing it. I have spent time going into detail about both Ivan Fedotov and Alexei Kolosov, so I will not do so now. However, they still needed a brief shoutout. Through 12 games, Fedotov has a 1.90 GAA and a .934 SV%. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old Kolosov is working with a 2.42 GAA and .919 SV%.

Czech this guy out

I end this edition of Flyers Prospects Weekly with “Mr. Irrelevant” himself, Matej Tomek. The 2015 third-round pick is averaging 2.82 goals-against with a .897 save percentage. But who cares?…

Nobody.

John Gove is the Head of Prospects and Draft Coverage for HW Hockey.
Follow John on Twitter.
Photo Credit: Phantomshockey.com
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