Samuel Ersson Struggles to Regain Form Following Recurring Lower Body Injury

Samuel Ersson struggled early last season with momentum saves, when used as a backup netminder, that would eventually turn the page on the game in the Flyers favor.

Samuel Ersson had a tale of two halves last season. Early on, while serving as the backup netminder, he encountered difficulties making momentum saves, which often shifted the game in the Flyers’ favor.

However, following Carter Hart’s departure and Ersson’s subsequent promotion to the number one netminder role, he transformed into a nearly impenetrable wall. Sure, he faced some challenges down the stretch, largely due to his heavy workload, but overall, he put forth a solid season.

Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella observed Ersson’s increasing workload down the stretch and adjusted his usage more effectively during the last month of the season. Ersson notably showcased impressive rebound control and made timely saves, particularly against the San Jose Sharks. He also displayed excellent lateral movement from post to post and donned a new goalie mask.

Ersson’s efforts culminated in a strong year, evidenced by his 19th best GAA in Flyers history with a 2.87. This is notably better than Carter Hart’s career 2.94 GAA as a Flyer.

Fast forward to the 2024 season, where Ersson began with a 36-save shutout in his pre-season debut, followed by a 30-save performance against the Boston Bruins. Throughout the two games, Ersson only allowed two goals for a .938 Save Percentage.

Much like last season, Ersson was spectacular at times for the Flyers. He made timely saves after being peppered early on, trying to keep his team in the game, and also key saves in big moments to maintain the Flyers’ momentum.

Then, a lower body injury struck. He returned from that injury with a 1-0-1 record, only to suffer another recurring injury. It turned out to be the same injury as before, a lower body injury, specifically his groin.

Ersson was out for about a month, and he came back a changed Goaltender, but not in a good way. He has a 2-3 record in his last five starts and has not posted a Save Percentage over .900 in any of them. His last five starts Save Percentages: .783, .840, .840, .857, .833.

Of course, the play in front of him hasn’t been the best at times, but he allowed more than a few softies, and ones that he typically saves, “I let in a couple of shitty ones,” Samuel Ersson said about his game. “The guys, they bailed me out. They scored a bunch of big goals.”

Ersson continued, “Nothing is going to be given to me. I have to earn everything. Every game I want to play, just keep pushing myself to get better.” This is great to hear that he takes nothing for granted, as this is the NHL. A player could be a pick today, tomorrow not so much. Ersson knows this, and at least he admits he’s not playing well. That’s half the battle. He will rebound in a big way shortly.

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Since coming back from another recurring injury, Ersson has been phenomenal.

Sure the Flyers record as of late would not indicate that, but anyone that follows the team on a regular basis knows that the score as of late shouldn’t be as close, if it wasn;t for Ersson.

“Since I’ve met Sam. That was the best I’ve seen him play. He was incredible,” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said of Ersson following a career high 39 saves, after falling in overtime to the Utah Hockey Club. “I’m not going to be hard on these guys. They are trying. We have matchup problems.”

What Ersson is doing, is more than proving that he is worthy of the number one netminding role. He is a capable, and very good at it, when healthy. All he has to do from here on out is stay healthy.