Goalie Surplus: A Problem No One Saw Coming
Flyers young goalie sensation, Carter Hart, is skating once again, a sign his return from a recent ankle injury may come soon. hen Hart does return the Flyers are going to find themselves in a situation no one would have guessed this season.
The Flyers have had a record breaking 8 different goalies start games this season. After going almost the whole year without being able to keep a healthy goalie, Hart’s return will provide three potential starters, Hart, Elliott, and Talbot.
Hart was called up to the NHL mid-season after every other goalie in the organization was hurt or not playing well. His great play and 13-8-1 record have kept the Flyers playoff hopes alive.
Brian Elliott, was the starter early in the season but could not avoid injuries. A now healthy Elliott has played well in Hart’s absence with a 3-1-1 record.
Cam Talbot is the newest Flyers goalie with one start resulting in a win. Talbot and Hart share a hometown and work out together in the off season. Their relationship and the idea of Talbot mentoring the young goalie are thought to have played a big part in Talbot’s acquisition from Edmonton.
With only two goalie slots on the roster Talbot seems most likely to be the odd man out, but it is hard to imagine the Flyers traded for him to sit in the press box. Depending on the playoff picture Hart’s return presents some questions.
Do the Flyers consider sending him down to Lehigh Valley to finish his rookie season and come back strong next year? Or do they test the Hart-Talbot chemistry on the ice? And what then becomes of Elliott?
Featured photo: Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports; Charitybuzz.com; Thoams Lott/Sportingnews.com
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Categorized:Flyers