The Philadelphia Flyers are rocking and rolling here as of late like the rock band Kiss with their hit song, “I wanna Rock and Roll all night, and party everyday.” They have started a two game winning streak after beating their divisional foes in the New York Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets respectively this past weekend. However, with the good comes some bad. It can’t be all highs right?
Brian Elliott had core abdominal muscle surgery on February 13, 2018, and will miss 5-6 weeks. Unfortunately, the orange and black were dealt another blow against the Rangers on Sunday afternoon, as goaltender Michal Neuvirth sustained a lower body injury.
Well, looks like an injury to Neuvirth. Will have more info as I get it. #Flyers #LetsGoFlyers
— Jamey Baskow (@JameyBaskow) February 18, 2018
The injury bug has bitten the Flyers goaltenders yet again, this past week. General Manager Ron Hextall has wasted no time on acquiring a goaltender given the news to Neuvirth, and has traded for goaltender Petr Mrazek of the Detroit Redwings.
Mrazek, 26, is a pretty solid goaltender, who handles pressure well. He uses his positioning to his advantage in most cases, and he’s never out of a play. For the season, Mrazek is 8-7-3, with a 2.89 GAA, and .910 save percentage in 22 games played. Moreover, Mrazek’s play has been pretty solid this season with an aging defense (Average age close to 30 years old), and he has playoff experience. Maybe a fresh change in scenery may help the once steady netminder. Mrazek carries a $4 million cap hit, and he becomes a restricted free agent at season’s end. The details of the trade is as follows:
Flyers Receive- Petr Mrazek, and Detroit retains half of Mrazek’s salary.
Detroit Receives- 3rd Round Pick (Next Year) & 4th Round Pick (This Year)
DET guaranteed no less than a 4th round for Mrazek. If PHI makes playoffs and Mrazek wins 5 games for PHI in reg season, 4th becomes a 3rd. If PHI advances to CF, and Mrazek wins six playoff games, the 3rd becomes a 2nd. If PHI re-signs him next season, DET gets PHI 3rd in 19.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 20, 2018
Following the trade Hextall stated, “Our players have worked hard for a long time now. I didn’t feel like it was fair to not have a proven NHL goaltender for this team.” Of course, Hextall doesn’t know if they’re going to resign Mrazek at season’s end. He then elaborated, “It’s not days, but weeks,” in regards to Neuvirth’s injury.
The Flyers show their all in on this playoff push until Elliott and Neuvirth gets healthy. One thing is certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
With facing major adversity during this playoff push. General Manager Ron Hextall knew a move or moves had to be made. While most Flyers fans were glued to their phones, barely eating, and managing their computers throughout the night on Monday evening looking for news. Hextall recalled young stud and penalty killer Oskar Lindblom, and activated goaltender Anthony Stolarz to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
This young Swedish forward in Lindblom appears to be a natural goal scorer. He appeared in the AHL All-Star game in just his first season on North American ice. For the season, Lindblom has registered 16 goals, 18 assists for a total of 34 points in 54 games played. Another thing he appears to do well is be an effective penalty killer. Of course, we all know the orange and black could use help in that category…right?
#Flyers may have another injury, which is why Lindblom was recalled. Won’t know for sure until morning.
— Dave Isaac (@davegisaac) February 20, 2018
If there’s indeed in fact an injury. Lindblom would be taking over for either Wayne Simmonds or Michael Raffl, as both players have similar playing styles to Lindblom.
Stolarz faced a long road to recovery, as he has missed the entire 2017-18 season with a meniscus injury to his left knee. Moreover, “Stolie the Goalie,” had two surgeries on that same knee last year for the same injury. He has been conditioning at the Flyers Skate Zone in recent weeks, but this move of being activated to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms comes as a shock, as many thought he wasn’t ready for game action.
The Flyers are all in on this playoff push. Just got a feeling this isn’t the end of moves, but it will be nice to see what #54 Lindblom does tomorrow night against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 pm. Congratulations to Stolarz on his long road to recovery. One thing is certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
