Good signs on injured Hart as Flyers’ goalie gets plenty of practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
VOORHEES, N.J. — Carter Hart diminished some of the minimal concern about his day-to-day injury with plenty of on-ice work Tuesday.
The Flyers’ No. 1 goalie practiced with both non-game groups and looked fine.
This came on the heels of Hart missing his training camp group’s scrimmage Sunday because of a lower-body issue. The Flyers’ decision to keep Hart from scrimmaging was likely made out of an abundance of caution.
Hart’s reps in net Tuesday didn’t seem to have much if not any restriction. He took shots in various drills and rushes.
“That’s above my pay grade with Carter, but I was happy to see him out there,” AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley head coach Ian Laperriere said. “And happy to see him with a smile on his face. That’s all I can say about that.”
Hart has not yet been cleared and will not play Wednesday in the club’s third preseason game. After practice, he was not available to the media at Flyers Training Center.
The 24-year-old is a pivotal piece to the Flyers’ chances at being more competitive this season following a 25-46-11 campaign in 2021-22. John Tortorella plays a system built around helping the goalie. With their new head coach and Hart’s ability in net, the Flyers are hoping to drastically cut down on their 3.56 goals allowed per game over the past two seasons, a mark that was tied for worst in the NHL.
“I think it’s the biggest job, the No. 1 job ahead of me with this team here, is that we have to play better in front of a 23-year-old goalie in Carter (now 24),” Tortorella said in July. “We’ve got to allow him to get himself situated in this league.”
Tonight’s preseason game
The Flyers take on the Sabres in Buffalo, New York, for their second of six preseason games. The action will be streamed live on the Sabres’ official team website.
Troy Grosenick will play the first two periods in net before Samuel Ersson takes over in the third stanza.
Here is the Flyers’ preseason schedule and Tortorella’s plan for those games.
Below is the Flyers’ lineup for tonight.
Forwards
James van Riemsdyk-Morgan Frost-Travis Konecny
Noah Cates-Jackson Cates-Cooper Marody
Antoine Roussel-Adam Brooks-Linus Sandin
Isaac Ratcliffe-Elliot Desnoyers-Zack MacEwen
Defensemen
Cam York-Justin Braun
Kevin Connauton-Ronnie Attard
Linus Hogberg-Adam Karashik
Goalies
Troy Grosenick
Samuel Ersson
Latest on the roster
Cal O’Reilly on Monday joined the Flyers’ camp on a professional tryout. The 35-year-old center is the Phantoms’ captain.
Mikael Huchette and Tyler Savard were released from their amateur tryouts, while prospects Alexis Gendron, Ethan Samson and Brian Zanetti were sent to their junior clubs.
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