The Philadelphia Flyers picked up the NCAA’s best goaltender in Alex Lyon. How will he fit into the organization?
It’s not every day you land the best statistical goaltender in the NCAA.
But that’s exactly what the Philadelphia Flyers did. By signing Yale junior goaltender Alex Lyon, the Orange-and-Black have greatly strengthened their organizational goaltending depth. Lyon can fill in right away in Lehigh Valley and potentially develop into a solid goaltender.
However, don’t expect Lyon in Philadelphia or Lehigh Valley this season.
Also, it sounds like Alex Lyon won't be coming to #LVPhantoms for their final two weeks. HC Scott Gordon made it sound that way, at least.
— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) April 6, 2016
He won't, per Hexy. https://t.co/d3yDTxCrmj
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) April 6, 2016
Lyon led the nation in goals against average for the second straight year and was tied for second with a .936 save percentage. He led all netminders in both categories last season. He didn’t play in as many games as the likes of Quinnipiac’s Michael Garteig or Boston College’s Thatcher Demko, but his 19-8-4 record was one of the best in the country. He’s a finalist for the Hobey Baker and the Mike Richter awards, going to the best college player and best college goaltender, respectively.
He didn’t play in as many games as the likes of Quinnipiac’s Michael Garteig or Boston College’s Thatcher Demko, but his 19-8-4 record was one of the best in the country. He’s one of the finalists for the Hobey Baker and the Mike Richter awards, going to the best college player and best college goaltender respectively.
Lyon became the starting goaltender at Yale as a freshman and has interested NHL teams ever since. As many as 12 teams were interested in Lyon, according to the New Haven Register.
Lyon may be considered the best goaltender to play for the Bulldogs. He broke the record for career wins this past season and holds the career and single-season records in GAA, shutouts and save percentage.
The organization will have to work on his endurance, though. Since 2009-10, Lyon has played over 33 games twice. He competed in 48 and 50 games respectively in his two seasons with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers from 2011-13.
Lyon’s work at Yale was intriguing enough for USA Hockey too. He was named to the United States national team that earned bronze at last year’s World Championships. However, he didn’t play a game during the tournament as he acted as the third stringer behind Jack Campbell and Connor Hellebuyck.
This is a very good get by general manager Ron Hextall. After next season, the Flyers will have to make some important decisions on the future of their goaltenders. Both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth will be unrestricted free agents, and a potential expansion draft may be looming.
With the likes of Lyon and Phantoms starting goaltender and current Flyers backup Anthony Stolarz, the future looks bright for Philadelphia between the pipes. Depending on how they perform, as well as how Mason and Neuvirth do, it may not be a stretch to see both in orange sooner rather than later.