Goaltending: Flyers Futility since 1999

Bernie Parent, Pelle Lindbergh, and Ron Hextall. An impressive trio of goaltenders, who helped make the Flyers contenders for many years. Goaltending was not an issue with the Flyers back then. Of course, that changed after the 1998-99, when Ron Hextall retired. Since then, there has been a plethora of goalies, who have come and gone within the Flyers organisation. Let's take a deeper look at their futility

John Vanbiesbrouck (1998-2000)

Record with Flyers: W 52 L 33 T 24 SO 9 GAA 2.19 SV% .904

- Beezer spend two years with the Flyers, splitting time with Hextall during the 1998-99 season, before becoming the starter in 1999-2000. He carried the team to the playoffs. (where they lost in the first round) Then they traded him to the Islanders during the off season, in a very bizarre move. Sure Beezer was getting up in age, but this trade still didn't make any sense.

Maxime Ouellet (2000-01)

Record with Flyers: W 0 L 1 SO 0 GAA 2.37 SV% .889

- 1 game, 1 loss, and was traded to Washington.

Roman Cechmanek (2000-2003)

Record with Flyers: W 92 L 43 T 22 SO 20 GAA 1.96 SV% .932

-Those are actually pretty impressive numbers, and statistically Cechmanek did perform well. However, he will always be remembered for this. The Flyers won that series, but lost in the 2nd Round against the Senators. Cechmanek was traded to the Kings during the off season.

Neil Little (2001-02 to 2003-04)

Record with Flyers: W 0 L 2 SO 0 GAA 3.87 SV% .838

-Those numbers say it all.

Robert Esche (2002-2007)

Record with Flyers: W 60 L 60 OTL 16 SO 7 GAA 2.65 SV% .901

-Esche had some bright points with the Flyers. In 2003-04 he led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference finals. However, after the lock out season, he started to flounder, and was delegated to the AHL. He never played another NHL game after that.

Sean Burke (1997-98 and 2003-04)

Record with Flyers: W 13 L 8 T 2 SO 2 GAA 2.55 SV% .911

- 2 stints with the Flyers, and neither were impressive

Jeff Hackett (2003-04)

Record with the Flyers: W 10 L 10 T 6 GAA 2.39 SV% .905

-Retired after his one an only season with the Flyers

Antero Niittymaki (2003-2009)

Record with Flyers; W 62 L 61 SO 4 GAA 3.01 SV% .901

- A solid netminder who tied a league record for 17 consecutive wins against the Atlanta Thrashers. Bizarre record, but still a record.

Michael Leighton (2006-07, and 2009 to 2013)

Record with Flyers: W 19 L 8 OTL 2 SO 1 GAA 2.76 SV%. 910

-Did lead the team to the Stanley Cup in 2009-10, but could never establish himself as a starter. Flyers management seemed to like this guy, as they kept bringing him back.

Martin Houle (2006-07)

Record with the Flyers: W 0 L 0 SO 0 GAA 30.00 SV% .667

- 3 saves, 1 goal, and no other NHL appearance. Dust in the wind

Martin Biron (2006 to 2009)

Record with Flyers: W 65 L 47 OTL 16 SO 7 GAA 2,71 SV% .915

- Found moderate success in the playoffs, but could never establish himself as a starter in Philly.

Brian Boucher (1999-2002, 2009-2011, 2012-13)

Record with Flyers: W 73 L 68 T 19 SO 8 GAA 2.50 SV% .904

-Re-acquired 3 times by the Flyers! Wow, they really liked this guy.... Still never could establish himself as a starter.

Johan Backlund (2009-10)

Record with Flyers: W 0 L 1 GAA 3.00 SV% .917

-1 games, that is it.

Jeremey Duchesne (2009-10)

Record with Flyers: W 0 L 0 GAA 3.53 SV% .750

-Same as above.

Sergei Bobrovsky (2010 -2012)

Record with Flyers; W 42 L 23 OTL 10 SO 0 GAA 2.73 SV% .909

-Finally an actually decent starter! Which the Flyers traded for a few draft picks.... Ouch."Bob" has gone on to win a Vezina in 2013 with Columbus, and is one of the top goalies in the league. Double ouch for the Flyers.

Ilya Bryzgalov (2011-13)

Recored with Flyers: W 52 L 33 OTL 10 SO 6 GAA 2.60 SV% .905

-The man who is only afraid of bear in forest. And had interesting thoughts of the universe. Better as a comic, then as a goalie. A really low point for the Flyers... Contract was bought out in 2013.

Ray Emery (2009-10 and 2013-15)

Record with Flyers: W 35 L 34 OTL 10 GAA 2.88 SV% .901

- Was not able to maintain the success that he had earlier in his career.

Cal Heeter (2013-14)

Record with Flyers: W 0 L 0 OTL 1 GAA 4.69 SV% .868

-Another "1 gamer". Currently in the KHL

Robb Zepp (2014-15)

Record with Flyers: W 5 L 2 SO 0 GAA 2.89 SV% ,888

- Had a short stint with the Flyers, and he is currently with their AHL farm team

Steve Mason (2012-present)

Record with Flyers: W 78 L 57 OTL 28 SO 11 GAA 2,41 SV% .922

-A very talented goaltender who just cant seem to stay consistent. Shows sign of being a star, but fades away quickly. Still has not proved anything in the places.

Michal Neuvirth (2015-16 to present)

Record with Flyers W 37 22 OTL 4 SO 3 GAA 2.51 SV% .913

-Has shown signs of being a starter, but is off to a horrible start to the season, and is currently on injured reserve.

So 21 goalies in a span of 17 years. 3 conference final appearances and 1 Stanley Cup appearance during that time. However, since 2009-10, they have not reached past the 2nd round of the playoffs. The Flyers are a team that is going to score goals. (Currently ranked 5th in the league) However, they give up just as many and more. (3rd worst in the NHL) As well they are on pace to have the worst GAA average in the league.(GA60 of 3.35) Unless something drastic is done, the Flyers Futility will continue... And for MANY years to come.