PHILADELPHIA, Pa – The Philadelphia Flyers goaltending situation got a lot more interesting when the team drafted not one, but two goalies in the 2023 NHL Draft. On top of that, the Ivan Fedotov situation in Russia has become more and more complicated with the KHL. Drafted the same year as Fedotov, a 2015 draftee, Felix Sandstrom, also failed to impress in 20 games with the big club. He was assigned back to the Lehigh Phantoms this week.
Until the Flyers can truly feel comfortable with their goalie situation, Flyers fans, despite some moderate success with Carter Hart, south Philadelphia will be a haven for doubters of just how far the Flyers will go this year and beyond.
Today we look at the top goaltending in the Flyers farm system for 2023. Because Sandstrom and Fedotov are 26 years old now, both have graduated off our top 5 list, so until the Flyers add another goalie prospect in their system, here are the top 4 prospects only.
Samuel Ersson – Ersson is a 5th round pick in 2018 and has done nothing but impress Flyers brass. This 3.07 goals against average and 90%save percentage didn’t hurt his chances of making the big club but the Flyers want to see him take things to the next level this season. So far, he looks like a capable backup goalie.
Alexei Kolosov – If somehow Fedotov finally comes overseas next season, Kolosov should share the plane right over. The third-round pick in 2021 has torn up the KHL and could become the Flyers starting goalie in a couple of years should the Flyers move on from Hart. His save percentage over the last three seasons his SP has been better .906-912. He is currently on loan with Minsk Dynamo and should be in the AHL before long.
Carson Bjarnason – The first of the two goalies Philadelphia picked in the second round 2023, Bjarnason is solid but note spectacular with the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL). Time is on his side and goalies develop longer than most other positions. The 6’3” 202 Lbs. prospect will get a long look from Flyers management.
Yegor Zavragin – The second of this year’s goaltenders picked by Philly, Zavragin could end up the best of the bunch. Who would have thought that the Flyers would have three Russian goaltenders in their system that could change the course of the Flyers future but Zavragin, who has the same build as Bjarnason, will have scouts drooling to see him play this season.
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.
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