One of the big stories for the Philadelphia Flyers this season has been rookie netminder Sam Ersson. The 24 year old has been one of the team’s biggest reasons for success.
In some unique circumstances, he had to take on the Flyers’ starting job after entering the season as a backup who played just two of Philadelphia’s nine games in October. Through December 9, he had just nine starts through 27 contests. And yet, he is now an essential part of the Flyers. Without his help, they have no chance of making the playoffs.
Ersson’s importance to the Flyers
Not only has Ersson taken on a true starter’s role after starting just 10 games in 2022-23, but he has excelled in it — and more than anyone else on the Flyers. Every goaltender other than Ersson has a negative goals saved above expected (GSAx). Combined, they sit at minus-10.8.
The lone exception? Ersson. His plus-3.0 GSAx ranks 29th in the NHL out of 93 goaltenders (68th percentile) and 16th among starters (50th percentile). That’s pretty impressive, especially for a rookie.
Continue reading…
