Alex Lyon signs one-year contract with Flyers

The Flyers number three goaltender on the depth chart will be back for another season.

It looked like Alex Lyon’s time might be running out in the Flyers organization. He may have also been looking for a clearer path to an NHL job. But he will be staying put for at least another season. The team has signed him to a one-year contract for next season.

It’s a low risk deal for Lyon who is the first goaltender on the list to be called up if need-be. And the deal is only worth $700K. It’s the slightest of pay cuts as he was making $750K before this deal.

It gives the Flyers an option if their goaltending at the NHL is to falter or run into injury trouble. Lyon has some NHL experience, albeit brief. He spent some time with the Flyers this season when Carter Hart was out.

Lyon appeared in three games this season, posting a 3.55 GAA and a .890 SV%. They aren’t the most inspiring numbers, but the team seems to feel he brings something to the organization. He was the third goaltender on the depth chart when it came to the postseason as well.

It could also be that they do not think they have other options in the system that are ready to step up. That likely points at Kirill Ustimenko and Felix Sandstrom. Both had opportunities at the AHL level this season. But it appears the Flyers may not believe they are both ready to take over just yet.

Lyon will resume his duties as the Phantoms goaltender, with one of Ustimenko or Sandstrom along side of him. He has solid numbers during his four years with the team. During that time he has a 73-53-15 record to go along with a 2.73 GAA and a .913 SV%.

As a veteran in the AHL, he can help guide the other Flyers’ young goaltending prospects through what it takes to make it at the professional level.

There is a comfort level when it comes to having Lyon in the organization. He’ll be with the Phantoms for the entire season unless the Flyers run into trouble.