Samuel Ersson may have surprised the entire NHL
Much of the credit for the Flyers unprecedented run must go to a goaltender who wasn’t even supposed to be the No. 1 netminder heading into the season. But Samuel Ersson stepped up, and, no, he didn’t enjoy a perfect year, considering his save percentage is an ultra-modest 0.890 heading into the season’s final week, but still: 50 games played, 48 starts, 23 wins, and a solid 2.86 GAA plus four shutouts is a foundation Ersson can build upon.
Many will look at Ersson’s advanced stats and scoff at his 21-plus goals allowed above expected at even strength, but let’s be honest with ourselves. It’s not like this Philadelphia Flyers team was composed of a plethora of prime goal-scorers. So, regardless of what Ersson’s advanced statistics may indicate, he was helping this team win.
Sure, the consistency issues were there, and they are something he must fix over the summer so they’re alleviated next season. But let’s also remember the Flyers core will also have another year’s worth of experience, and that, too, will help Ersson.
Overall, he wasn’t a bad goaltender, and it’s fair to say he can be the No. 1 netminder for this young Flyers team next season. If that’s the case, however, he won’t surprise many opponents with at least serviceable play.