Flyers Weekly Mailbag: What should we make of the goaltending situation

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With the Regular season about to kick off for the Flyers in about a week, there is pandemonium amongst the proud orange clad fans with what the next move will be for the Goaltending fiasco that the orange and black find themselves in.

What a week it was for the orange and black. From introducing a new Mascot in Gritty, to cutting two heavily touted prospects in NAK and Philippe Myers, to Jori Lehtera’s cocaine investigation. Don’t worry folks better days are ahead for one of the most anticipated Flyers seasons in recent memory. I mean that, trust me. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.

Right now it’s anyone’s game in net. This includes Brian Elliott himself, although I do personally believe he will be the starter on opening night. Carter Hart and Anthony Stolarz are neck and neck in terms of securing the back up spot. Do the Flyers go with an inexperienced future NHL’er in Hart, or a little NHL experience in Stolarz?

With Alex Lyon slated to return to the lineup during the second week of the Regular season. This may put a damper in Hart’s chances of making the club. Yes, he has outplayed all his competition at camp and pre-season, thus far for the orange and black. However, the Flyers did not want to start him right away in the NHL. So why have him be a back up, when he can start and see as many games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms?

It’s a tough decision. I’m fifty-fifty on Hart starting the season out with the big club. I think this young man is phenomenal, and has blown the doors off Training Camp. However, a question that remains in my mind is when for instance Lyon returns, then what? Do they shuffle Hart back to the Phantoms? If that’s the case than Stolarz should be the backup. Hart needs to see as many games as possible, not ride the bench. However, I still think Ron Hextall addresses this Goaltending issue via waivers/trade.

The Flyers will rid themselves of Jori Lehtera, not for being a supposed drug king pin, rather a player has outplayed him for his roster spot. He will be placed on waivers eventually, with the intention of sending him to the Phantoms if he clears waivers (which- is very likely). I’ve stated throughout the entire off-season that Lehtera would find himself in the AHL after not making the opening night roster, much like Matt Read last season.

Barry you’re an amazing person. A hard worker. God bless you and your family. Thanks for your continued support.

https://twitter.com/NAARobertWilson/status/1044983228837302273?s=19

The Flyers will rid themselves of Jori Lehtera, not for being a supposed drug king pin, rather a player has outplayed him for his roster spot. He will be placed on waivers eventually, with the intention of sending him to the Phantoms if he clears waivers (which- is very likely). I’ve stated throughout the entire off-season that Lehtera would find himself in the AHL after not making the opening night roster, much like Matt Read last season.

Right now it’s anyone’s game in net. This includes Brian Elliott himself, although I do personally believe he will be the starter on opening night. Carter Hart and Anthony Stolarz are neck and neck in terms of securing the back up spot. Do the Flyers go with an inexperienced future NHL’er in Hart, or a little NHL experience in Stolarz?

With Alex Lyon slated to return to the lineup during the second week of the Regular season. This may put a damper in Hart’s chances of making the club. Yes, he has outplayed all his competition at camp and pre-season, thus far for the orange and black. However, the Flyers did not want to start him right away in the NHL. So why have him be a back up, when he can start and see as many games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms?

It’s a tough decision. I’m fifty-fifty on Hart starting the season out with the big club. I think this young man is phenomenal, and has blown the doors off Training Camp. However, a question that remains in my mind is when for instance Lyon returns, then what? Do they shuffle Hart back to the Phantoms? If that’s the case than Stolarz should be the backup. For some reason I still think Ron Hextall addresses the Goaltending issue with a pick up via waivers/trade.

Rob thanks so much for your support. Without you this site doesn’t exist. God bless you and your family.

https://twitter.com/realdonovanl/status/1044992846405791746?s=19

I absolutelllllllllly love Gritty. I showed my 4 month old son his picture the day the Flyers unveiled him. Noah laughed, and did baby words. That’s all I needed right there to fall in love with Gritty. He’s had quite a week.

Gritty has been on Good Morning America, the Today Show, shot a guy in the back with a T-Shirt, fell on the ice, flew in a helicopter, was mentioned in Oklahoma, dumped popcorn on a Rangers fan, trolled the Penguins Twitter, and has 85,000 followers.

Amongst active players, a past Flyer I would love to have back is none other than Jeff Carter. The guy can shoot, and he really has turned into something special for the Los Angeles Kings. I think he would fit in just nicely back here. He has won two Stanley Cups, and I think that would rub off nicely with this young team.

Donovan you’re amazing. Your support is awesome. We wouldn’t be here today without your support. God bless you and your family.

https://twitter.com/aveoluv/status/1044998104645357568?s=19

The Flyers love Scott Laughton on the Wing, and he has flourished in that role in Camp, and the pre-season. Moreover, the orange and black have just raved about Laughton on the Wing throughout the pre-season.

I personally believe Jordan Weal wins the 4C spot, and Laughton barring injuries to key players finds himself on the Wing on opening night. With that being said Laughton is really solid on the Penalty Kill. Yes, he muffed a clear last night resulting in a New York Rangers goal, but I love his aggressiveness while being a man down.

 

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Both players will have solid seasons. Weal and Laughton will find their knack with one another, and have strong seasons together. Laughton won’t move back to Center unless an injury occurs, and likewise with Weal moving to the Wing. Both players are versatile so this is not easy to predict, with whom moves to Center or Wing first.

Jane you’re an amazing person. Without you this site doesn’t exist. Thanks for your continued support. God bless you and your family.

Jpow you’re the man thanks for your support. Without you this site doesn’t exist. God bless you and your family.

Hart will definitely receive a call up at some point this season. I personally believe he will be the first call up in case of an injury to one of our netminder. Realistically, Hart’s knocking on the door to become a member of the orange and black on opening night. With that being said he’s the first call up in case of injury, of course assuming he goes to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to start the season.

Eric thank you so much for your continued support. You’re the man. God bless you and your family.

Hart is going to be a phenomenal Goaltender. At least two out of three of those goals scored against him last night were not his fault. You can make a case for the third goal on a deflection not being his fault either. With that being said in my eyes he has been the best Goaltender in camp, and pre-season thus far.

It’s a tough decision. I’m fifty-fifty on Hart starting the season out with the big club. I think this young man has blown the doors off Training Camp. However, a question that remains in my mind is when for instance Lyon returns, then what? Do they shuffle Hart back to the Phantoms? If that’s the case than Stolarz should be the backup, as Hart sitting on the bench does him no good. Hart would miss starts for the Phantoms.

However, I still think Ron Hextall addresses this Goaltending issue via waivers/trade, simply because I think the Flyers are iffy on Brian Elliot’s health to start the season.

Andrew thank you so much for your continued support. Wthout you this site does not exist. God bless you and your family.

 

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports