Flyers goaltending prospects – 2017

PHILADELPHIA, Pa – Since the 2017 NHL Entry Draft came and went each teams organizational depth chart has changed. With the start of the Philadelphia Flyers developmental camp, it is time to get and updated look at the team’s depth chart at each position. In this article, we will focus on the Flyers goaltending prospects. Since the last time we visited this topic some players have been traded, such as Merrick Madsen to the Arizona Coyotes.

These are the top five goaltending prospects in the Flyers system according to PHN.

Anthony Stolarz – The former second round pick in 2012 is still hanging on to the top spot but just barely. Despite playing very well during a seven game stint up with the big club, the jury is still out on Stolarz even though he has shown some steady progress ever since he was drafted 45th overall. The Flyers could still see him as a potential number one goaltender. Stolarz has shown no reason for the Flyers to not be excited about him but they have not been given a reason to give up on him yet.

Carter Hart – It has been a while but it finally looks like the Flyers have hit the jackpot in their never-ending search for a true number one goalie. If you want to know what the Flyers future number one goalie might look like in 2-3 years, look no further than Hart who has now won the Goaltender of the Year award in back-to-back seasons in the WHL. The scary part about him is that he is playing better and better in each passing season.

Look for Hart to be fast tracked to the AHL after this season. Unfortunately, he is not old enough to play in the AHL until then.

Felix Sandstrom – A third round pick in 2015, the Flyers have shown why they targeted him. He played for Team Sweden in the World Junior Championships, and had a great season playing for Brynas. If he stays on his current trajectory, he will be challenging Stolarz and Hart for the top job in Philly in 2-3 years.

Alex Lyon – The former Yale star goaltender was never drafted by the Flyers but has the look of someone who could become a steal for the team. Lyon played in the AHL for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and had a solid season. If he wants to get noticed as a potential backup or starting goalie at the NHL level, Lyon has some major competition from the above mentioned prospects show are projected ahead of him. Lyon will need to impress in October training camp but more importantly in the AHL next season.

Honorable Mention: Matej Tomek and Kirill Ustimenko – : Tomek was drafted in the same round as Sandstrom 20 picks later at #90 overall. The Slovakian native, who also played in the World Juniors, could also become a future number one goaltender at the NHL level but so far seemed destined for AHL or ECHL level duty in the near future.

Tomek is currently playing for North Dakota, but if he shows just how good he really is, bumping up to the top of the Flyers growing list of top projects will get even bigger.

Ustimenko was taken 80th overall in the third round this season.                Until he plays in the KHL he is considered a project but his size and skill could make him a dark horse for the top spot on day.