The Flyers are shaking things up again ahead of tonight’s matchup and not necessarily for the better. Sam Ersson will get the start in goal, marking the second straight game that Dan Vladar sits despite being one of the Flyers’ most consistent and composed players early in the season.
It’s a puzzling move, and one that risks throwing off the rhythm Vladar has been building. Goaltending is all about confidence and consistency, and constantly flip-flopping between two netminders makes it tough for either to find a groove. Vladar’s calm presence has been a stabilizing force for a team that’s still trying to find its identity. Taking him out again feels like overthinking it.
And it’s fair to question Rick Tocchet’s decision-making here. Vladar has earned the crease through performance, not potential, and sitting him in favor of Ersson who’s been inconsistent sends a mixed message. If the Flyers are trying to establish accountability, it has to apply across the board. Rewarding strong play should be the standard, not an exception.
Up front, the changes continue. Nikita Grebenkin will be a healthy scratch tonight, replaced by Nicolas Deslauriers and similar to the goaltending change, this one doesn’t make much sense at all. Grebenkin had been settling into his line nicely, using his size, skill, and physicality to generate plays and bring energy. Swapping him out for Deslauriers, who brings little outside of fighting and fourth-line toughness, feels like a step backward. It kills momentum and takes away one of the few young forwards who’s been trending upward.
Moves like this can send mixed messages in the locker room. This group had started to build some chemistry and energy, and now two of their more promising storylines Vladar’s steady goaltending and Grebenkin’s development are being put on pause.
The Flyers have struggled with consistency all season, and decisions like these make it harder to find rhythm as a group. If they want to stay competitive, they’ll need more stability both in net and in the lineup.
Tonight’s matchup won’t be an easy one. The Flyers face a divisional rival loaded with experience Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang still leading the charge. Pittsburgh knows how to exploit mistakes, so the Flyers will need to stay disciplined and composed if they want a chance to steal two points on the road.