Are the Philadelphia Flyers Still in Need of a Number One Goalie?

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

Despite the recent strong play from Michael Leighton and the return of free agent signing Ray Emery, it appears as if, in the long run, the Philadelphia Flyers are still in need of a number one goalie.

Ray Emery, made his first return to the Flyers lineup since having abdominal surgery Sunday afternoon. The decision by Flyers Head Coach Peter Laviolette to start Emery against the Washington Capitals was a curious one, one that ended predictably, a 5-3 loss for the Flyers.

Washington owns one of the league's most potent offenses, boasting the talented of Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and defenseman Mike Green, to name a few.

You’d think that Laviolette would have held off bringing Emery back into the fold until the Flyers played the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, or, alternatively, against the New York Rangers or Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday or Sunday, respectively.

To be fair, every NHL team represents a challenge for the Flyers—especially these days, but when you compare the Capitals offense to that of the Blue Jackets, Rangers and Hurricanes, well, simply put, there is none.

Many would argue that an NHL goalie should be ready regardless of the opponent they have to face—fair enough. What I am suggesting is that perhaps it would have been better to ease Emery into the lineup, rather than throwing him to the wolves against the Capitals.

Whatever the case may be, what’s done is done, and so we (and the Flyers) now move on.

At the end of the day, Emery’s return brings about more questions than answers. Last week, we debated the merits of keeping backup goaltender Michael Leighton over Brian Boucher, with Leighton winning the vote in a landslide.

Now, with Emery seemingly ready to resume his number one status, there are just as many Flyers’ fans debating the merits of selecting Emery as the Flyers number one goalie over Leighton.

The reality is (and this may sound a little “Ground Hog Day-ish”), it looks like the Flyers are in familiar territory with no true number one goaltender within its ranks.

Sure, Emery had a hot start and Leighton played well in Emery’s absence, but neither goalie seems to have the respect and confidence of the fans, not yet anyways.

A lot of the goaltending struggles can be attributed to a team that, to date, has struggled to find its identity and, even more concerning, to find it’s consistency—both offensively and defensively.

Through 47 games played, Philadelphia’s offense is ranked seventh overall, which on the surface is tremendous. The issue with Philadelphia’s offense is that the Flyers have a nasty habit of scoring in bunches. It is this “all or nothing” offensive spectacle that has them ranked 21st overall in the standings...well, that and their defense...

Defensively, the Flyers are mediocre to say the least, ranked 18th overall. They struggle to keep opposing players on the perimeter, making their goalies easy prey, especially on rebounds.

So, what does it all mean? Do the Flyers need to find another goalie or do they just need to tighten up defensively?

I am a “glass half full” kind of guy, so, it is my opinion that the Flyers have adequate goaltending, good enough to get you through most games, good enough to give the Flyers a chance for a win on more nights than not.

In turn, that means, I believe, in order for the Flyers to play a more consistent brand of hockey, it will have to come in the form of a better team effort, especially where the defense is concerned.

Can Emery or Leighton take the Flyers deep into the playoffs? Well, let’s just get the Flyers into the playoffs first, we’ll talk then...

The reality is, there is not much available in the form of help on the trade market, at least not yet anyways. Where can the Flyers find help?

Nashville Predators goalie Dan Ellis’ name has been mentioned in trade rumors, the Dallas Stars' Marty Turco has been rumored as well, Jaroslav Halak was offered up by the Montreal Canadiens, and then there is always the chance that the Flyers could bring back Marty Biron—who was signed by the New York Islanders away from the Flyers this summer.

Here’s the straight goods—outside of Turco (who has been inconsistent his whole career), none of these goalies are any better than Emery. None of them are established number one goalies, none of them are without flaws, none of them are without weakness.

Next year's free agent crop includes Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Vesa Toskala, Nashville Predators goaltending tandem Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis (although you have to think they won’t let them both go), San Jose Sharks Evgeni Nabokov and the aforementioned Marty Turco.

It says here Rinne gets re-signed by the Predators. Evgeni Nabokov is likely staying in San Jose, Stanley Cup or no Stanley Cup, and Toskala is not the answer.

That leaves Marty Turco, Jaroslav Halak, and Dan Ellis, with an outside chance that the Flyers (who will be cash strapped in 2010) will be able to out-bid other NHL clubs for their services—each of which will be in high demand.

Other notables that may be available via free agency include, Chris Mason (St. Louis Blues), Jose Theodore (Washington Capitals) and Jonas Hiller (Anaheim Ducks).

Of course, both Ray Emery and Michael Leighton will be free agents next summer, as will former Flyer Antero Nittymaki—who has played well for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.

So, I ask you—unless Emery or Leighton rise up and become that coveted number one goalie that the Flyers have so dearly needed for over a decade, then who?

It’s a tricky question, one that the Flyers and their fans have been trying to answer for what seems like an eternity. Only time will tell, but for now, the Flyers have to play the cards in front of them, which, in the case of Emery and Leighton, are wild, at best.

Until next time,

Peace!