Philadelphia Flyers Goalie of the Future? A Look at the Prospects

Despite numerous offseason rumors, the Philadelphia Flyers will enter the 2010-11 season with Michael Leighton as their starting goaltender. With options such as Marty Turco, Evgeni Nabokov and Dan Ellis now off the market, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has put his faith in Leighton for the upcoming season.

However, it is telling that Leighton was only signed to a two-year contract extension.

This was not meant to be a slight on Leighton. However, for the first time in years, the Flyers have a multitude of promising goaltender prospects in the pipeline.

Holmgren is fully aware that within two seasons, at least one of these prospects could be prepared to take up the long-vacated mantle of franchise goalie.

Let's take a look at the future of Flyers goaltending. And apologies to both Adam Morrison and Jakub Kovar, two goalies who are in the system and could be primed for breakout seasons.

4. Johan Backlund

Backlund is closer to the NHL than any of the other goalie prospects in the Flyers system.

In fact, Backlund has already made his NHL debut, playing the first two periods against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 27, 2010, before leaving the game with a groin injury.

The 29 year old Swedish goaltender spent most of 2009-10 playing for the Flyers' AHL affiliate in Adirondack.

While his numbers (2.79 GAA, 0.906 SV percentage) were not eye-popping, Backlund was likely dragged down by the poor play of his fellow Phantoms, who failed to make the postseason.

Numerous scouts came away from Adirondack games claiming that Backlund was the standout player on the team.

He recently signed a two-year extension with the Flyers, and will enter camp with the opportunity to unseat Brian Boucher as backup goalie.

As a 29 year old, Backlund likely has the lowest ceiling of any of the prospects on this list. However, his proximity to the NHL and positive scouting reports make him an intriguing figure in the Flyers' system.

Estimated Time of Arrival: 2010

3. Nicola Riopel

The first draft pick on the list, Riopel was taken by the Flyers in the fifth round of the 2009 Entry Draft.

Riopel's best case for "legitimate prospect" status comes in his statistics. As starting goaltender for the Montcon Wildcats in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League), Riopel flourished.

During the 08-09 season, he led all QMJHL goalies in GAA (2.05) and in SV percentage (0.930). His GAA set a league record for lowest in league history, and he walked away with both the Goaltender of the Year and Player of the Year awards.

After a unimpressive backup stint in Adirondack last season, Riopel returned to the QMJHL and again excelled. He posted a 2.06 GAA and a 0.917 SV percentage in 33 games in 09-10.

These stellar numbers would seem better suited for one of the top goalie prospects in hockey than a relative afterthought like Riopel. However, there are some issues.

Riopel's dominant 08-09 season came in his third season in the QMJHL. As a result, Riopel was older than most of the other players in his league, which likely gave him an advantage. Elite goalie prospects in juniors tend to excel at ages 18 and 19, but Riopel's numbers in his first two seasons were fairly unimpressive.

However, many goalies are late-bloomers, and the Flyers are hoping that Riopel is one of them.

Still, scouts have expressed reservations regarding his overall athleticism, limiting his ceiling. Riopel has received praise for being a very solid positional goaltender, and does seem to get the most out of his talent.

Riopel will not return to the QMJHL this year, and will have to carve out a role either in Adirondack, or as a loaned player to an ECHL team. Whether he responds to the elevated level of competition this season will likely make-or-break his prospect status.

ETA: 2012

2. Sergei Bobrovsky

Arguably the most intriguing of the Flyers goalie prospects, Bobrovsky was signed to a three year entry level contract on May 6, 2010.

A 21 year old Russian goaltender, Bobrovsky has spent the last three seasons playing in the KHL. His team, Metallurg Novokuznetsk, have been cellar-dwellers for the last two years, but that does not seem to be a result of the play of Bobrovsky. His 0.919 sv percentage in 2009-10 and his 0.927 sv percentage in 2008-09 show that the young Russian certainly has talent.

The Flyers offered Bobrovsky a fairly lucrative contract to entice him to join the organization. With performance bonuses, Bobrovsky could earn up to $1.75 million a season.

As a quick comparison point, this contract could be worth more than both Michael Leighton's recently signed deal and backup Brian Boucher's contract. The Flyers certainly have high expectations for the Russian.

Bobrovsky attended the Flyers' recently-held Prospect Camp, and while overall reports were mixed, many observers in attendance noted his willingness to challenge shooters and his raw athleticism.

And according to the Capitals blog Russian Machine Never Breaks, Bobrovsky is embroiled in a rivalry with fellow Russian and future Washington goaltender Seymon Varlamov. Apparently Bobrovsky was chosen as the starting goaltender for Russia over Varlamov at the 2008 World Junior Championships, and the two have dealt with comparisons ever since.

While Varlamov is surely more established at this point in his career, Bobrovsky certainly has time to catch up. If he can develop even close to as well as Varlamov has, the Flyers could have a future starting goalie in Bobrovsky.

Bobrovsky will likely spend the 2010-11 season in Adirondack, possibly backing up Johan Backlund. If successful, he could compete for a roster spot on the Flyers as soon as 2011.

ETA: 2011

1. Joacim Eriksson

If the Flyers do have a future franchise goalie currently in the system, it is likely Eriksson.

Eriksson was an under-the-radar seventh round pick in 2008. However, he was the second highest Swedish goaltender taken that season, behind only Jacob Markstrom, currently one of the top prospects in all of hockey.

At the time, that seemed an indictment of a weak Swedish goalie class. Now, it appears Eriksson was unjustly overlooked.

In the 08-09 season, Eriksson played in the SuperElit league, the top junior league in Sweden. His numbers were stellar, as he posted a 1.99 GAA with a 0.930 SV percentage, leading the league in both categories and boosting his stock dramatically.

In 09-10, Eriksson moved to HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest professional hockey league in Sweden.
And yet again, he flourished. He posted a 2.40 GAA and 0.926 SV percentage, and set a team record with eight shutouts.

So far, Eriksson has put up the statistics and shown the ability to be a top goalie prospect. However, Eriksson has one more hurdle to clear before he is ready to make the move to North America.

This season, the 20 year old Swede will play in the Elitserien, Sweden's top professional hockey league. He is expected to share time as the starting goalie for Skellefteå, a solid contending squad.

While detailed scouting reports on the Swede are limited, he has been described by hockeysfuture.com as a classic butterfly goalie with good size and mobility.

His combination of youth and stellar statistics make him the Flyers' top goalie prospect, and best hope to finally become the franchise goalie the team has lacked since the tragic death of fellow Swede Pelle Lindbergh.

ETA: 2012 or 2013