ESPN.com Ranks Flyers Among Worst Goalie Tandems in NHL

As the Philadelphia Flyers prepare for the 2024-25 NHL season, much of the excitement was centered around the arrival of Matvei Michkov.

So far through three games, Michkov has come as advertised, scoring three points in his first three games, with two power-play goals on Tuesday night in Edmonton. However, the key for the Flyers to make a return to the NHL playoffs this season is going to lie on the shoulders of their goalies, Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov.

ESPN.com ranked all 32 teams' goaltending situations for the 2024-25 season with the Flyers pairing coming in at No. 27 on the list after finishing last year last in save percentage at .884.

The Flyers believed they had finally found an answer to the goaltending questions that had vexed them for decades in Carter Hart, 25, last season. But he took leave from the team after 26 games, as one of four NHL players charged with sexual assault by London, Ontario, police following an investigation into Canada's 2018 world junior championship team

Obviously, Hart is no longer with the organization, with Ersson taking over the top spot, but he struggled in that role last season.

According to ESPN.com State and Information, from Jan. 21 through the end of the regular season, Ersson played in 30 games, tied for 2nd-most in the NHL and his .875 save percentage from that point on was 3rd-worst in the league.

Overall, Ersson finished 47th among 54 qualifying goalies with 25 GP in save percentage at .890, going 23-19-7 in 51 games.

As for Fedotov, the 6’7” netminder allowed 5 goals on 31 shots in his season debut on Saturday at Calgary. Former NHL goalie Marty Biron was asked about Fedotov's layoff from coming over to the NHL after he was drafted nine years ago before appearing in an NHL game, saying "It's a disadvantage."

One reason for hope?

Alexei Kolosov, a 22-year-old from Belarus, who finally reported to the Flyers after being discontent with his place on the depth chart. The talented netminder is currently at AHL Lehigh Valley, along with veteran Cal Petersen.

The Flyers will play in Seattle tonight, ending their season-opening four-game west coast trip. The team is starting the season with four straight road games for the third time in franchise history, before their home-opener on Saturday against Vancouver.