Free Agency Rewind: Have the Flyers Improved Their Goaltending?

Lyon is entering his prime as a goaltender. He has always had ability, but has had trouble finding the necessary consistency on the NHL level. I think Lyon has something to prove, in a contract year, and will find the nightly even efforts he needs to play in the NHL. I can see Lyon beating out Elliott for playing time in the event that Hart is injured.

Sandstrom and Ustimenko will gain more North American professional experience, in the AHL or the ECHL. Both are still young and will be looking to make a quantum leap. I expect more of a statement from Sandstrom even though he was outplayed by Ustimenko last season.  Sandstrom, age 23, has had his upward trajectory stymied by injury, illness or circumstance in the past. This season it looks like everything is breaking right for the young netminder and he seems primed to take advantage.

Just by re-signing their own players the Flyers should be moderately better in goal than last season. The continuity from last year to this season is a positive in and of itself. The position’s overall effectiveness will be dictated largely on the growth and play of Carter Hart, as he will likely get the majority of time between the pipes.

He seems more than up to the task and looks to be on his way to transforming into an elite goalie. Brian Elliott may regress mildly while fighting off father time, but the improvement in Lyon, Ustimenko and Sandstrom should more than offset any slight decline that may appear in Elliott.

There are more answers than questions in the Flyers crease for the first time in years.  The present looks great full of possibility and the future looks just as good.  It should be a pleasure to watch this season.