The Philadelphia Flyers are in a tough spot right now - and not just because of their recent 4-0 home loss to the New York Islanders. That defeat stung, no doubt, but it also underscored a deeper concern that’s been simmering for months: the goaltending situation.
With Dan Vladar sidelined by injury (though he’s expected back soon), Sam Ersson has been tasked with holding down the crease. Sunday marked his fourth straight start, and it didn’t go well. Ersson allowed four goals on just 23 shots, dropping his season save percentage to .860 - a number that simply doesn’t cut it in today’s NHL.
And here’s where it gets uncomfortable: when you zoom out and look at the full scope of Ersson’s season, the numbers paint a bleak picture. Advanced metrics suggest he’s been among the league’s least effective goaltenders since the puck dropped on the 2024-25 campaign.
The sample size isn’t small anymore, and the consistency just hasn’t been there. With restricted free agency looming this summer, it’s fair to wonder what his future in Philadelphia looks like.
At the moment, though, don’t expect a shake-up between the pipes. According to team sources, there’s no immediate plan to replace Ersson during the season.
But once the offseason hits? That’s when the Flyers are expected to take a hard look at their goaltending roadmap.
The challenge, of course, is the market. There just aren’t many viable trade options out there right now.
The Flyers have kicked the tires - names like Alex Lyon in Buffalo have come up - but Lyon doesn’t appear to be available, and Colton Ellis, also with the Sabres, hasn’t played in weeks. According to sources, Philadelphia isn’t interested in Ellis as a target anyway.
And with Buffalo climbing the standings, it’s unlikely they’re eager to part with depth at such a critical position.
That brings us to a more intriguing long-term possibility: Dennis Hildeby of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old stepped up in a big way earlier this season when Toronto was dealing with injuries to both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz. Hildeby’s performance helped steady the ship, but with Stolarz now healthy and Woll also back in the mix, Hildeby has returned to the AHL.
Here’s where things get interesting. Starting next season, Hildeby will require waivers to be sent down - meaning the Leafs could risk losing him for nothing if they don’t find a roster spot.
He’s also under contract through 2027-28 at a very manageable $841,667 cap hit. That makes him both an attractive trade chip and a valuable internal asset.
It’s a classic catch-22: the very reasons he’s appealing to other teams are the same reasons Toronto might want to keep him.
Still, sources indicate the Flyers have interest in Hildeby. Whether he’s actually available remains unclear, but if Toronto wants to make a move ahead of the trade deadline, Hildeby could be one of their best bargaining chips.
The Leafs don’t have a first-round pick in either of the next two drafts, and their top prospect, Easton Cowan, is already on the NHL roster. In other words, they’re short on trade currency - and Hildeby might be their best hand to play.
There’s also been some chatter around Anthony Stolarz as a possible trade candidate. He’s in the first year of a four-year deal, but he’s already 32, has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and hasn’t been sharp this season. That combination makes him a tough fit for the Flyers, who are looking for stability and upside in net - not more question marks.
If the Leafs do shop Hildeby, what would it take to get a deal done? Toronto’s biggest need is a puck-moving defenseman, and it’s easy to imagine them eyeing someone like Jamie Drysdale.
But from the Flyers’ perspective, that’s likely a non-starter. Drysdale is a key piece of their young core and not someone they’re eager to part with.
Another area of need for the Leafs is a top-six winger. Owen Tippett’s name has surfaced in trade rumors this season, but sources say the Flyers aren’t in a hurry to move him.
Tippett, with his 25-goal potential and a $6.2 million cap hit locked in for six more years, offers cost certainty and scoring touch - two things Toronto would love to add. Whether the Flyers are open to that kind of deal remains to be seen, but it’s the type of conversation that could heat up closer to the deadline.
Then there’s Bobby Brink. He’s on pace for a second straight 40-point season and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
With a wave of winger prospects on the horizon, there’s a sense Brink could be the odd man out down the line. A one-for-one swap involving Hildeby and Brink seems unlikely, but it could serve as a starting point in broader trade talks.
For Philadelphia, Hildeby represents more than just a stopgap. At 24 and signed at a team-friendly number, he could be part of the bridge to the next generation of Flyers goaltending - a group that includes promising prospects like Carson Bjarnason, Aleksei Kolosov, and Egor Zavragin. The big question is whether the Leafs are willing to part with him - and if so, whether the Flyers are willing to pay the price.
It’s a delicate balancing act for both clubs. But with the trade deadline looming and the Flyers still very much in the playoff picture, don’t be surprised if this storyline picks up steam in the coming weeks.