NHL
Flyers Franchise Continues to Have Goaltending Challenges
With the offseason to recuperate, the Philadelphia Flyers goaltending situation had solid potential. They have one of the deepest rosters at that position. At least five of their goalies could be prepared to play in the NHL if need be. Now, the Flyers’ goaltending challenges are worsening.
Ideally, the Flyers would have Brian Elliott starting with Michal Neuvirth as his back up. It’s looking a little more unlikely that the duo will be spending time together to begin 2018-19.
Long Recovery
Elliott had core surgery to repair an injury sustained in February, but pushing too hard to come back early meant it required a follow-up procedure. He’s been recovering from it, but there isn’t a promise of his return yet. He may or may not be ready to start the season, but he should be back early on.
What level play he is capable of is a concern. While there are differences between the recovery process for goalies versus skaters, the Flyers are accustomed to the slow timetable. Claude Giroux and Nolan Patrick both had slow-to-start seasons following core surgery. Neither were back to their top performance until mid-January.
Anthony Stolarz has been dealing with an injury that kept him out through the majority of the 2017-18 season. The Flyers are right to question his ability as a starter. Stolarz had surgery on his left knee before the Flyers’ training camp last season. He played in just four games last season—three as a rehabilitation stint with the Reading Royals and one with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Newest Developments
Neuvirth struggled with injuries at the end of last season, but with the whole summer to rest and rehabilitate, the Flyers were hoping he’d be ready to go. Unfortunately, they might be waiting a bit longer for Neuvirth’s return.
Michal Neuvirth was stretching for an awful long time. Slammed his stick on his way off the ice and had a chat with a trainer before walking to the locker room.
— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) September 21, 2018
While the team has yet to address the situation, it looks that his groin injury from last season has followed him through. He was set to play in Friday’s preseason game against the Islanders, but it looks like Stolarz will be backing up Carter Hart.
Earlier in the week, Alex Lyon was supposed to start a preseason game against the New York Islanders, but he left the ice during warmups and did not return. It was announced the following day that he would be out four weeks with a lower-body injury.
Lyon was brought up late last season from the Phantoms. His performance allowed the Flyers to make the playoffs, though he did not see any postseason action.
Face of the Future
What this means for the Flyers is they could potentially see Carter Hart in the lineup sooner than anticipated. While he may only be backing up Stolarz, he wasn’t projected to see time with the main club until much later in the season or sometime next.
It’s hard to anticipate whether a goalie needs time in the AHL before they are ready for the NHL. With the accolades Hart received during his time in the Western Hockey League (WHL) it’s difficult to say he needs that time or he doesn’t. Hart is a three-time WHL Top Goaltender award winner and he finished last season with a .947 save percentage. He’s talented but it will be between him and the team whether he’s ready.
Social Media
Follow Jess on twitter @jmstarr_
Photo Credit
Photo Courtesy of PuckProse
