Sam Ersson will be sticking around in Philadelphia as the Flyers signed him to a two-year extension that will kick in next season.
The Flyers have recently been stocking up on goaltending depth and given themselves more with Sam Ersson’s early extension. Drafted by the Flyers in the fifth round in 2018, Ersson has shown some promise early on in his NHL career. After missing significant time during his first professional year and undergoing groin surgery, Ersson came into the 2022-23 season ready to prove himself to the organization.
He spent the bulk of the season playing with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms where he ranked second among all rookie goaltenders in games played, wins, and saves. He was given a look by the Flyers in December after Felix Sandstrom was unable to join the team on a lengthy road trip. His debut didn’t go to plan, however.
While making 30 saves, Ersson gave up five goals to the Carolina Hurricanes and would end up being pulled after coming in for Carter Hart. That didn’t faze him, as he went on to win six straight starts, including his first career shutout against the Buffalo Sabres. He would go 6-3-0 in 12 career games, posting a 3.07 GAA and a .899 SV%.
After posting a 33-save effort vs. Calgary, Sam Ersson became the 11th goaltender in NHL history to win each of his first six career decisions. #UnbeatableMoments | @Xfinity pic.twitter.com/058i9pNSHT
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 21, 2023
As the Flyers did with other prospects that made their debuts, Ersson was sent back to the Phantoms in order to get ready for their playoff push. Unfortunately, it was short lived as the late season playing time seemed to take a toll on Ersson. Having only played five games the prior season, he played a combined 54 games. That was the most he has ever played in a season during his entire career. Despite making the playoffs for the first time since 2018, the Phantoms only lasted three games as they dropped two of those three to the Charlotte Checkers.
In the three games he appeared in, Ersson gave up 12 goals and was pulled in the final game. Despite winning the first game, it seemed as if the Phantoms were overmatched and that Ersson was running out of gas by the end of the series. Regardless, this is a vote of confidence for Ersson as he still had one more year on his entry-level contract. Could the Flyers be expecting him to play a larger role this upcoming season? It’s a crowded goaltending room with Hart, Felix Sandstrom, and Cal Petersen already fighting for time. And with the Flyers looking to get Ivan Fedotov in the mix, the competition will be tough.
Do the Flyers already know something we don’t at this point? That’s nothing that should be speculated on, but some of the moves made in the goaltending department have led most to believe that the team could be without Hart for a lengthy amount of time. We should soon find out as training camp is just a little over a month away.