PHILADELPHIA, Pa – The Philadelphia Flyers had, and still have an everlasting search for a number one goaltender. Not since Ron Hextall’s rookie season in 1987 has the orange and black found their answer in net. The Flyers’ goalie situation is looking up with some solid drafts and top prospects. For the first time in a long time, there looks like there is some real hope in one of Philadelphia’s most scrutinized positions in all of the four major sports in a sports crazed town.
Goalie Steve Mason (#35) – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
These are the top five goaltending prospects in the Flyers system according to PHN.
Anthony Stolarz – The former second round pick in 2012 has shown steady progress ever since he was drafted 45th overall. The Flyers have been looking for him to become a potential number one goaltender. Despite having played in only four NHL games so far, Stolarz has shown no reason for the Flyers to not be excited about him. He has progressed in every season and has shown no signs of not getting better.
Unless Steve Mason or Michal Neuvirth, who are both unrestricted free agents in the spring, can show that they have earned the right to be the team’s number one, Stolarz will by default become the leading candidate to take over the reins next season.
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 3-4 years, look no further than Hart.
Hart was the goaltender of the year in the WHL last season and is playing even better this year with a 1.85 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. He is also playing for Team Canada in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Look for Hart to be fast tracked to the AHL next season.
Merrick Madsen – If you want to know what the definition of patience paying off looks like look no further than Madsen. A former sixth round pick in 2013, Madsen has gone through injuries and waiting his turn in the net for Harvard in the ECAC.
His 6′ 5″ frame has the Flyers drooling and his 9-2-1 record for the Crimson has the Flyers looking like proud parents these days. Look for him in either the ECHL or AHL next season.
Felix Sandstrom – A third round pick in 2015, the Flyers have shown why they targeted him. He is currently Sweden’s starting goalie in the World Junior Championships, and is having 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 no drafted by the Flyers but has the look of someone who could become a steal for the Flyers. He is currently playing in the AHL for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and is having a solid season. If he wants to get noticed as a potential backup or starting goalie at the NHL level Lyon will have some major competition from the above mentioned prospects show are projected ahead of him.
Lyon will need to impress in October training camp and should be back in the AHL next season.
Honorable Mention – Matej Tomek: Drafted in the same round as Sandstrom 20 picks later at #90, the Flyers doubled down on another goaltender. The Slovakian native, who is also playing in the World Juniors, could also become a future number one goaltender at the NHL level.
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.
Look for him to be in college for the next 2-4 years then head into the AHL.
You can follow Brian on twitter at @flyersfan22
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