The Flyers made it to the Stanley Cup finals last year in spite of not having a first-rate goaltender, largely because journeyman Michael Leighton caught the hot hand at the best possible time.
That didn’t happen this year.
Instead, the Flyers got broomed by the Bruins. Brian Boucher had to leave one game with an injury and got shelled in two others. Don’t get me wrong–Boosh is probably THE best back-up goaltender in the NHL. However, he’s just that: a back-up goaltender. That’s what he’s been for the vast majority of his 14 year career.
The bottom line is that the Flyers haven’t had a stud starting goaltender since Ron Hextall hung ’em up. The Roman Chechmaneks, Robert Esches, Antero Nittymakis, and Ray Emerys of the world can’t compete with the likes of Tim Thomas, Roberto Luongo, or Antti Niemi. That’s the bottom line. It’s time that the Flyers management recognizes this problem and takes steps to bring a world-class, established goaltender to Philadelphia to fill the net.
The Flyers have a long history of outstanding goaltending: Doug Favell, Bernie Parent, Wayne Stephenson, Pelle Lindbergh, Pete Peeters, and Hextall set a high standard for a franchise that has had a lot of success. However, there’s been a gaping hole in the net since Hextall retired, and it’s long overdue that the Flyers remedy that situation. The question for the offseason is: will they?
