Broad Street Buzz
Fansided

Twelve Potential Flyers Hall of Famers: Part One

By Jacob Modugno

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 24: Hall of Fame banners hang at Wells Fargo Center in a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers on February 24, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 24: Hall of Fame banners hang at Wells Fargo Center in a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers on February 24, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next

PELLE LINDBERGH

Pelle Lindergh, Philadelphia Flyers (Photo by Graig Abel Collection/Getty Images)
Pelle Lindergh, Philadelphia Flyers (Photo by Graig Abel Collection/Getty Images) /

Lindbergh was poised to become the next great goaltender in Flyers history before his tragic and unexpected passing on November 11th, 1985 at the age of 26. But Lindbergh gave the franchise and its fanbase plenty to be proud of in his brief time with the Flyers.

Lindbergh still ranks 10th in games played among Philadelphia goaltenders at 157, and in that span he recorded a record of 87-49-15 from 1981-1985. Lindbergh posted an .887 save percentage and 3.31 goals against average along with seven shutouts in his time with the Flyers as well.

Lindbergh’s strong play in that 1984-85 season helped lift the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final that season, only to be defeated by the dynasty that was the Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers in five games. Despite not winning a championship, Lindbergh brought home the 1985 Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender.

Lindbergh’s campaign that season resulted in a 40-17-7 record in 65 games to go along with a 3.02 GAA, .899 SV%, and 2 shutouts. No Flyers goaltender has won 40 games in a season since Lindbergh accomplished the feat, with Ron Hextall coming the closest since then with 37 in 1986-87. Lindbergh was also named as an NHL First Team All-Star in goal that offseason.

To this day, only Hextall has won the Vezina in a Flyers sweater since Lindbergh, and only Brian Boucher, Roman Cechmanek, and Steve Mason have even received votes for the award while with the Flyers since that point as well.

The late Swedish phenom’s 87 wins still rank seventh all-time in Flyers history in that category despite his passing over 35 years ago. Lindbergh’s famed #31 was taken out of commission after his death and has never been worn in a game for the Flyers since, and a posthumous team Hall of Fame induction would be very well deserved for one of the great faces of Flyers goaltending.

Home/Editorials