Earlier, Felix Sandström signed a two-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Flyers. Sandström agreed to a two-way/one-way contract totaling 2yrs/$1.55mil.
Making his NHL debut during the 2021-2022 season, Sandström started five games. During 2020-2021, he became very familiar with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms after the Flyers moved on from Alex Lyon. In his five games this season, Sandström did not collect a win. His closest was an overtime defeat against the San Jose Sharks.
An 0-4-1 record in his rookie NHL season does not define Sandström. Something that does is the focus he has on improving his game. Following a loss to the Winnipeg Jets, Sandström was transparent in his assessment of his performance:
“It wasn’t my best game, but just trying to keep battling. It doesn’t get better if you get down on yourself, so you got to stay positive and keep going.”
Felix Sandström; 4/27/2022
Mental stability is one of the most crucial assets of a successful goaltender. The Flyers have solid goaltending depth. Despite what records will tell, the metrics show that Carter Hart and Sandström played as well as they could behind a miserable defense. All goaltenders finished with a 90% or better save percentage. The potential is almost tangible; the variable is a healthy defense.
An average annual value of $775k is evidence of Philadelphia attempting to utilize its draft prospects to maintain cap space.
During the season, Mike Yeo spoke highly of Sandström. After losing to the Chicago Blackhawks, Yeo praised his ability to give the Flyers a chance to win. He curated three quality starts in five total games in 2021-2022:
“He did a hell of a job to settle into the game and really gave us a chance. Some huge saves throughout the course of the night, especially on the penalty kill.”
Mike Yeo; 4/25/2022
While 2021-2022 featured a small sample size from Sandström, there was enough footage on him to understand the poise he brings to the crease. A silver lining for Philadelphia, their goaltending is a salvageable department ahead of 2022-2023.
“I thought he was great. [He] looked really calm. I was confident with him in the net. That five-on-three; I would have liked for that to be a turning point in the game. That’s a massive kill for almost a full two minutes against a powerplay like that.”
Mike Yeo; 4/13/2022
(Photo by Chris Kohley/Icon Sportswire)
