24-year-old Samuel Ersson has been nothing short of stellar for the Philadelphia Flyers in his last five starts. He is beginning to look like himself after a tough month in October.
Only starting in two games during the spooky season, his numbers were a little alarming after suffering losses to the Dallas Stars, 5-4 and Anaheim Ducks, 7-4. Finishing the month with one of the worst GSAx in the entire league to begin the season at -6.79.
Sam Ersson’s lacklustre performance in goal is not (fully) his fault, even though he does not look good on paper. Granted, he had not played in nearly twenty days prior to his season debut in Texas. Going long stints of not getting games in, with Carter Hart taking over priority. However, John Tortorella has confidence in Ersson, ale starting on Saturday against Pittsburgh, in a non-back-to-back situation. His play has distractedly improved but at the beginning of the season, things were scarce.
The young Swedish goaltender is a thrill to watch, playing a very unorthodox style at times, not to mention having a wicked glove. Not steering away from some of the league’s brightest stars. In a losing effort against Dallas, two months ago, Ersson made the best of it. Sprawling cross-crease to rob Roope Hintz blind off a two-on-one. Then this past Saturday, he flashed the leather on Sidney Crosby in a shootout.
On November 11, Ersson would exact revenge on the Anaheim Flying Ducks by backstopping the Flyers to a 6-3 victory. Recording a career-high 35 saves in that contest. He had a fantastic glove save as well, denying rookie sensation Leo Carlsson of a hat-trick.
Now a quarter of the way through the NHL regular season, the Flyers sit third in the Metropolitan, holding a playoff spot with a 13-10-2 record. Outperforming expectations set upon them during the offseason. Playing above .500 and John Tortorella appears to have a lot of faith in his rookies, especially Ersson who is developing into a very reliable backup. During press conferences, Tortorella makes it clear that he sees promise in the rookie. Typically during pressers, the Flyers’ head coach is very forthright and honest; if he doesn’t like you, it will be known. However, he likes to talk up Tyson Foerster, Samuel Ersson, and Cam York—players he believes have real potential.
“He [Ersson] didn’t start off well but each start he plays, he seems more and more confident. You watch him in the shootout, you don’t see any net. He makes a save on Crosby, you can see his confidence…that’s how he feels. That’s a big part of Sam’s game is his mindset…he plays with the right type of arrogance.” -John Tortorella on Samuel Ersson
It was only a matter of time for the Flyers’ young guns to find their rhythm once more; management caught glimmers of this last season. One of those freshmen who has rediscovered himself is clearly, Sam Ersson.
His inconsistent start was not anticipated or expected. Despite the small sample size, Ersson had a very impressive start last season, so expectations were high. In 12 games, he had a 6-3-0 record, 3.07 GAA, .899 SV%, and 1 shutout.
Felix Sandstrom, who served as the Flyers’ primary backup during the 2022-23 campaign has been pushed out. Having been put on waivers and sent down to the Lehigh Valley (AHL). The writing was on the wall for Sandstrom, it was clear from the beginning of last year that John Tortorella thought more highly of Sam Ersson. That was apparent near season end and at training camp going into this year. It was never a competition. Sam Ersson was always meant to be the No. 2 to numero uno, Carter Hart, at least for now.
When Carter Hart got hurt earlier in the season, Sam Ersson had to step up to take his place. That’s exactly what he did; in his first start filling in for Hart, he gave up one goal on 22 shots, earning the win and a .955 save percentage.
Since getting more consistent starts and earning the trust of upper management, Samuel Ersson has become one of the league’s best rookie goaltenders. Posting a 5-3-1 record while leading all rookie goaltenders in goals against average (2.76), shutouts (1), and trailing just behind Joseph Woll in save percentage (.885) and goals against (25).
Without a doubt, the Swedish-born goalie has earned his stay in the National Hockey League. having just let up eight goals in his previous four games. Having allowed only eight goals in his past four games. While the opposition has riffled 117 shots at him, earning a .932 save percentage in that span. If it wasn’t for his rocky start his numbers would look significantly better.
Bill Matz of PHLY Flyers, in a recent podcast with Co-host Charlie O’Connor, mentioned just how fun Sam Ersson is to watch due to his unorthodox style of play, sprawling stops, athleticism, and creativity. A lot of things you do not see from a typical goaltender. Most of whom play a straightforward forward simple game, Ersson is like no other. He has fun with it.
One of the many approaches to coaching and methods employed by John Tortorella is the notion of players assessing themselves. Or, as it were, “a self-evaluation”. He also wants to know if the players are accurately self-evaluating.
In the case of Sam Ersson, the team’s clear-cut backup goalie, Tortorella has had to dig deep to get to know the player a little bit better. The Flyers’ head coach has flat-out said, “I didn’t know a damn thing about him and I still don’t really know him a lot.”
The goalie position in itself is a unique and difficult one to both understand and follow, especially if you have never strapped the pads on. The Flyers have a trusted goaltending coach in Kim Dillabaugh along with support from Brian Boucher, former Flyers netminder, who is now a game analyst for Philadelphia Flyers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Giving Tortorella the chance to focus on the team’s 20-plus skaters. The goalies are out of his wheelhouse but he admires them.
A touchy subject in recent years has been the goalie conversation or rather “problem” for lack of a better word. Something both fans and management alike have feared for years. For now, things look promising, with a strong tandem in the NHL and bright goalie prospects on the horizon; the Philadelphia Flyers’ number one problem is no longer goaltending, an area that brass has struggled with for decades. Carter Hart and Samuel Ersson are becoming a very consistent duo.
By: Dylan H. Robillard (@DylanRobillard_)
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