To say the least, Flyers’ goaltender, Samuel Ersson has found himself amid a roller-coaster season for a multitude of reasons. Most notably, he has been sidelined four times within the past two months due to a recurring groin injury.
Groin injuries to NHL goalies are synonymous with shoulder injuries to MLB pitchers; nagging and nearly incurable. Ersson’s first injury occurred on Nov. 2nd against the Bruins, sidelining him for a week. He then re-aggravated the same injury on Nov. 11th versus San Jose and missed another four weeks of gameplay, this time not returning to action until Dec. 8th. The man Flyers fans call “Sam” then suffered another setback with his most recent re-injury on Dec. 31st, also against the Sharks.
To the relief of many, Ersson returned to game action on Jan 9th and has remained healthy since. In the month of January, Sam has proven to solidify his place as the Flyers’ starting goalie with some much-needed consistency, as he has started nine of the last 11 games for the orange and black. Not only has he remained healthy, but he has also seen a drastic improvement in his numbers as well. Before the start of 2025, Ersson held a .884 save percentage and a 3.02 GAA. Since Jan. 1st, Ersson has impressed with a .912 save percentage and a 2.24 GAA.
What has arguably been a tale of two seasons for Ersson has placed him on the radar of Team Sweden’s Head Coach, Sam Hallan, ahead of the Four Nations Face-Off beginning on Feb. 12th. With injuries to previously selected Swedish goaltenders Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators and Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils, Ersson is now the only Swedish NHL goaltender who has played more than 20 NHL games this season.
Although the Flyers goaltender has played his way into the spotlight as of late, he just might be Sweden’s only option left when it comes to NHL-caliber goaltending. Per Jackie Spiegel, Hallan was present at the Wells Fargo Center during the Flyers game against the Stars on January 13th when only Linus Ullmark was on LTIR. On Jan. 22nd, Jakob Markstrom then sustained an MCL sprain which will keep him out for 4-6 weeks and also place him on the Devils’ LTIR.
Sweden’s 4 Nations Face-off head coach Sam Hallam is at Wells Fargo Center tonight scouting. With Linus Ullmark still out, could Sam Ersson be added to Sweden’s roster?
— Jackie Spiegel (@jackiespiegel93) January 13, 2025
It wasn’t long until the media seemingly confirmed that Ersson was officially the next in line for the Swedish backup role at the Four Nations Face-Off. Although the roster move is not set in stone as of Jan. 27th, one can assume Ersson will eventually don the “Tre Croner” (Triple Crown) for his home country of Sweden.
As @BjurmanPer reported yesterday, #Flyers Sam Ersson is expected to replace #njdevils Jacob Markstrom on Sweden’s 4Nations Face-Off roster.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 24, 2025
Amazingly, more than seven weeks after the rosters were named, Markstrom is the first player needing replacement in the tournament.
For Flyers fans, this announcement may warrant mixed emotions. Ersson is seemingly the only option in the net if the Flyers are going to make any semblance of a playoff push. With Alexsei Kolosov finally sent down to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Ivan Fedotov will be given the opportunity to stabilize the net when Ersson isn’t playing. Ivan Fedotov holds a .880 save percentage and a 3.25 GAA, which is incredibly underwhelming. Kolosov’s numbers aren’t much easier on the eyes as he holds a .870 save percentage and a 3.45 GAA.
Although sending a fourth Flyer to the Four Nations Face-Off is a notable accomplishment for the team, fans are especially concerned with Ersson’s selection due to his injury history. With Filip Gustavsson likely starting most, if not all of Sweden’s games, it remains to be seen if Ersson will even see a minute of game action at Four Nations. Regardless, he will still be traveling and practicing with the team, thus making him susceptible to injury. All in all, many Flyers fans would rather see Ersson observing the tournament rather than partaking.
To date, Ersson has not been officially named to Team Sweden. Although the announcement will likely be made in the coming days, the Flyers have no choice but to continue to take advantage of their starting netminder's fabulous play until the entire NHL pauses for the Four Nations Face-Off on February 12th.