Before this week begins, it's time for our weekly check-in on the Flyers' prospects playing in the AHL, overseas and at the junior and college levels.
In this week's report, we go overseas to check in on a pair of Swedish prospects who could be coming to North America next season and much more. Let's dig in.
Felix Sandstrom, G, 6-2/187, Brynäs IF (SHL)
Sandstrom concluded the regular season last Thursday turning away 30 shots and yielding just one goal as Brynäs IF edged Leksand, 2-1, in the final game of the season. Brynäs IF finished the regular season with 93 points, fifth in the SHL and qualifying for the playoffs as the 5-seed. Brynäs IF will face Linköpings HC in the quarterfinals beginning March 18.
As for Sandstrom, the 20-year-old enjoyed a solid second full season in the SHL, which also included an excellent showing at the world junior championships for Team Sweden. Sandstrom finished the season with 46 games, compiling a 14-7 record with two shutouts, a 2.25 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. On the final year of his contract, Sandstrom has the option of jumping overseas to play at Lehigh Valley next season.
But there are moving parts as to if Sandstrom comes to North America in 2017-18, and it has a lot to do with what the Flyers do with their goaltending situation both at the NHL and AHL levels. With Michal Neuvirth signing a two-year extension, it's fair to speculate Steve Mason will not return to the Flyers, which would leave an open spot for a backup job.
If the Flyers were to sign Sandstrom to his entry-level contract, it could be an indicator of their future plans in net because it would be unlikely they would want three prospects fighting for time in the AHL. Bringing Sandstrom over would suggest general manager Ron Hextall is comfortable with either Alex Lyon or Anthony Stolarz as the Flyers' backup next year and would let the two goalies fight for the job in training camp come September. Both Lyon and Stolarz are restricted free agents.
Whatever comes of Sandstrom in the coming weeks and months is still to be determined. But his development in Sweden has to have the Flyers excited and he could be on his way.
NHL
Oskar Lindblom, LW/RW, 6-1/192, Brynäs IF (SHL)
While we're on the subject of Brynäs' season coming to an end, let's touch base with another prospect who many believe will be with the Flyers next year -- not the Phantoms. Lindblom had a three-point game in Brynäs' 5-2 win over Karlskrona last Tuesday, picking up his 22nd goal and 24th and 25th assists of the season. He was pointless in the regular-season finale, but he finished as Brynäs' leading scorer with 47 points. He finished one goal shy of tying his teammate, Kevin Clark, as the SHL's top goal scorer, and fourth in the SHL in points. Lindblom's contract expires after the season, and no one expects him to return to Sweden next season. He could come over and finish the season with the Phantoms, either by signing his entry-level contract or inking a tryout contract. It's only a matter of time before Lindblom comes over to North America. Hextall hinted he expects Lindblom to be here next season when he acquired Valtteri Filppula at the deadline.
Alex Lyon, G, 6-1/201, Lehigh Valley (AHL)
The Phantoms' goaltending situation had been average in the last few weeks with both Lyon and Stolarz going through a bit of a funk -- Stolarz more than Lyon, though. Last week, however, Lyon put together two strong games for the Phantoms. Last Wednesday, Lyon pitched a 31-save shutout in Lehigh Valley's 3-0 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and followed that up with a 36-save, one-goal game Saturday night in a 4-1 win over Utica. Wednesday's shutout was Lyon's fourth of his career. Lyon told Highland Park Hockey's Tony Androckitis after Wednesday's shutout that he's "happy with the growth" he's had in his first professional season, but he still has ways to go before being NHL ready.
Wade Allison, RW, 6-2/205, Western Michigan (NCAA)
Allison played a major role in No. 8 Western Michigan extending its matchup in the NCHC Tournament to a third game last Saturday night. WMU, which is a 3-seed in the tournament, went down 1-0 behind 6-seed Omaha after losing Friday, but Allison picked up a goal and two assists as the Broncos beat the Mavericks, 5-2, on Saturday. Allison didn't factor into the scoring Sunday night in the Broncos' 2-1 win to advance in the NCHC, but the freshman did suffer a head/neck injury on a collision in the first period and did not return. Western Michigan announced he was discharged from a hospital and later returned to the arena. His status for the semifinals is uncertain.
Quick hits
• Mark Friedman picked up an assist last Saturday night in Bowling Green's 2-1 win over Bemidji State to clinch the WCHA semifinals series, 2-0. The Falcons will face Minnesota Tech in the WCHA final on Saturday night.
• Merrick Madsen helped Harvard advance to the ECAC semifinals by beating Yale, 2-0, in the Crimson's best-of-three games quarterfinals series. Madsen yielded seven goals on 53 shots faced in two games -- a 6-4 win and 4-3 win. The semifinal matchup is Friday, with the championship game the following night. Harvard will play Quinnipiac.
• Cooper Marody picked up two assists last Friday in a 3-2 Michigan win over No. 11 Penn State. Michigan swept PSU in the weekend series. The two schools will meet in the Big Ten Tournament Thursday. Marody finished the regular season with 14 points in 17 games.
• Tanner Laczynski finished his regular season pointless in his last seven games. He has 30 points in 31 games. Ohio State will face Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament.
• Phantoms defenseman Travis Sanheim has a two-game goal streak going after picking up goals last Friday and Saturday. He's now at 10 goals and 28 points through 60 games.
• Stolarz rebounded after a string of poor performances in net at Lehigh Valley last week, stopping 19 of 21 shots in a 3-2 win over Hershey on Friday night.
• A huge week for Saint John's Samuel Dove-McFalls, who had three goals and two assists in three games. Dove-McFalls now has a four-game goal streak going and a five-game point streak. He has 14 points in his last 12 games, and 50 in 62 games this season.
• Philippe Myers had a six-point week for Rouyn-Noranda last week, with a four-point game Sunday -- a goal and three assists in a 9-3 win over Val-d'Or.
• Everett goalie Carter Hart posted his ninth shutout of the season last Wednesday, a 17-save performance in a 4-0 win over Spokane.
• Connor Bunnaman recorded a hat trick in Kitchener's 4-3 overtime win over Flint on Sunday. Bunnaman now has 34 goals in 61 games this season with the Rangers.
• Anthony Salinitri had a four-point week -- two goals and two assists -- for Sarnia last week with a two-assist game in Friday's 5-3 win over Windsor.