This past week the Flyers called up goaltender Felix Sandstrom from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to backup Sam Ersson. Through 20 games with the Phantoms Sandstrom has a 3.23 GAA and a 0.882 SV%. The 27 year old Swede has played 26 games in the NHL over the past three years all for the Flyers. It looks as if the the Ersson-Sandstrom combo will be used for the rest of the year. Cal Petersen was placed on waivers to be sent down to Allentown this past week. Petersen only played 5 games for the Flyers including a 7-6 lost to the Penguins which led to the change. In addition the Flyers have brought forward Ollie Lycksell, Bobby Brink and defensemen Ronnie Attard up from the Phantoms. Attard was brough up to fill in the defensive gaps created by the absences of Ristolainen and Drysdale both considered week to week. While Travis Konecny was has missed the last five games and is expected to return this week.
Bobby Brink has excelled in his return to the lineup scoring two goals in his first three games. While Tyson Foerster has remained hot since his return from injury with six goals in five games including a penalty shot goal against the Senators. That goal gave the Flyers the NHL record for most penalty shot goals in a second at 5. Two players that have struggled as of late are Joel Farabee and Cam Atkinson. Farabee was on a 14 games goalless streak until Saturday. While Cam Atkinson has not scored a point in 12 games and was a healthy scratch for two games this past week. Farabee and Atkinson are two star players the Flyers need if they want to make a playoff push this spring.
The Flyers have also signed Denver Barkey to a three year entry level contract. The 18 year old has sent the past three season playing for the London Knights in the OHL. The 2023 3rd round pick has produced 87 points in 56 games for London. This week the Flyers are in action Monday night as they host Kevin Hayes and the St. Louis Blues. Followed by a trip to Florida to play the Panthers Thursday night and the Lightning Sunday night. The NHL trade deadline is this Friday the 8th at 3pm EST. The Flyers are in an unique spot of a rebuilding team that is in playoff contention. General Manager Danny Briere has already mentioned that the long-term future of the club is their main priority going into the deadline.
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