Flyers Quarter Season Grades: The Goalies
With how Carter Hart played last season, it was unsure if he would have a bounce back year. Everyone was questioning Hart and if he had the mental toughness to play not only in Philadelphia but in the NHL. Hart, this season, has completely turned the narrative around for most. Playing at an elite level this season, he has been the big reason why the Flyers have had chances to win night in and night out and that is all you can ask for from your goalie.
While we haven’t seen too much of Felix Sandstrom, it’s clear that he needs some more time to adjust to this league. His overall game is there, but the goal scoring help is not. The same could be said for Hart as well. The defense being much more improved also helps this young tandem, but like Hart, Sandstrom needs to give this team a chance to win every game.
Carter Hart
Carter Hart has been great this season. Hart’s numbers being where they are this season are incredible considering how many shots he has seen in only 20 games played. In 2020-2021, Hart played 27 games and saw 721 shots. In 2018-2019, Hart played 31 games and saw 976 shots. This season, through 20 games, Hart has seen 621 shots. Hart is currently on pace to see more shots than he has in any other season.
Hart has a .913 SV% and a GAA of 2.75 only giving up 57 goals. Only 57 goals. With how many high danger chances he has seen and thrown away or made highlight reel saves moving from post to post have been jaw dropping. Hart also has 11 quality starts this season as well and only 3 really bad starts this season. This just shows how good Hart has been this season.
Hart’s positioning, ability to bounce back and overall willingness to battle have been on full display. If there is one bright spot to look at for this season, it would be Carter Hart. Not even in his prime yet and this is how he plays, Hart can only get better, but it is up to Chuck Fletcher to give him more goal scoring support.
Hart has been amazing this season and has been the reason for almost all of the Flyers wins. Hart could not be any better than he has been.
OVERALL GRADE: A+
Felix Sandstrom
Felix Sandstrom hasn’t really been able to show the Flyers much this season. He has played in eight games but only had seven starts. He is 1-5-1 with a GAA of 3.40 and SV% of .851. Sandstrom has seen 47 shots and given up seven goals. He has three quality starts and two really bad starts.
Sandstrom’s positioning has left much to be desired, along with his rebound control. Given more time, Sandstrom might be better suited as a backup, considering this isn’t much of a fun team to be on when you’re a young goalie trying to find yourself. I have faith Sandstrom will be much better given more time in this league.
Grading Sandstrom right now will be kind of hard considering we haven’t seen a ton of him but giving him a grade none the less would be fair.
OVERALL GRADE: C+