Philly Leader

Embarking on his second full NHL season, Samuel Ersson is set to begin as the Philadelphia Flyers' primary goaltender. Ersson's performance in training camp and preseason has positioned him as a key player for the team this year. He made a notable impact during the preseason with a 37-save shutout against the New York Islanders and an impressive game against Boston, where he stopped 30 of 32 shots.

Ersson's overall performance in the preseason was strong, with a .971 save percentage over two games. His positioning, puck-tracking, and rebound control were highlighted as strengths. Last season, Ersson became the Flyers' primary starter midway through but faced challenges towards the end of the stretch drive. Head coach John Tortorella acknowledged that overuse contributed to these struggles.

Reflecting on last season, Ersson stated on October 4: "I think there are things I learned last season, and the year before... It's a new season and things start over." Despite previous challenges, Ersson played crucial roles in keeping playoff hopes alive until the final regular-season game.

On April 11, he outperformed Jonathan Quick at Madison Square Garden with a victory over the New York Rangers. Following this, he secured a shutout win against the New Jersey Devils. Although Philadelphia lost to Washington Capitals in their finale, Ersson's efforts were pivotal throughout.

Ersson commented on playing significant games: "Everyone wants to play in big games that mean a lot... hopefully we will play more this season." His mental toughness and physical skills have been praised by Tortorella since his initial NHL stint.

Communication with defenders is key for Ersson. After his shutout against the Islanders, he shared insights into how he collaborates with teammates: "We're a team that takes pride in blocking a lot of shots... Sometimes trust that when I can see pucks, I'll stop most of them."

As for how many games Ersson will start this season remains uncertain. Questions about Ivan Fedotov’s performance and potential call-ups from Lehigh Valley Phantoms also linger. These factors will influence whether the Flyers can return to playoffs after missing out since 2019-20. Nevertheless, Ersson enters this season with confidence following an impressive camp.