Ron Hextall, a build-from-within ideologist, is having his belief system tested.
In fact, the staunchness behind that belief system has come back to bite the Flyers - and it took only 19 games into the season.
Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth are the Flyers' placeholders. The organization has its plan with young goalies waiting in the wings - one, in particular, by the name of Carter Hart.
But those prospects haven't been deemed ready. And Hextall's vision since taking over as general manager in May 2014 has always been competitiveness in the present with a keen eye on the future. Turns out, the Flyers' fort had to be held down much firmer than the shaky stakes currently in the blue paint.
This season marks the biggest win-now moment in the era under Hextall and Dave Hakstol. The Flyers went out and landed James van Riemsdyk for five years, $35 million. The core, a big chunk of it coming off career seasons, is getting a year older, while the Flyers' youth movement has climbed another peg on the ladder.
During the offseason, though, the Flyers stood pat in net and they're now trying to survive the backfire at the mid-November mark.
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Was this a risk they could afford? We'll find out.
But banking on Elliott and Neuvirth looked a heck of a lot more risky than it did safe.
Elliott underwent core muscle surgery in February and had a summer comprised of recovery and a cleanup procedure. He played 43 games in 2017-18 and, as a tandem goalie for most of his career, has played more than 50 games just once, back in 2009-10.
The oft-injured Neuvirth had offseason surgery on his hips after playing just 22 games last season and 28 the year prior. This year, Neuvirth suffered an injury during the preseason, has played one regular-season game and currently isn't practicing with the team.
The situation appears dire.
Even with Elliott out only two weeks approximately after sustaining a lower-body injury Thursday, who's to believe he won't get hurt again? He's 33 years old and was injured trying to go post to post, oftentimes a routine maneuver in net.
So what now?
Calvin Pickard is the guy. He's a goalie from outside the organization but not exactly a savior given he spent almost all of last season in the AHL.
Alex Lyon is the backup. He's played four AHL games this season and has 11 career games of NHL experience under his belt.
This is all part of the Flyers' internal approach - trusting who's next in line. Maybe Lyon or another prospect quickly rewards them.
The Flyers believe in the overall approach. They like their goalie prospects and are willing to be patient, but did the Flyers have enough time to be patient?
Or even the bodies?
Again, this is just 19 games into a season that should mean something.
The Flyers may have to act.
Because Hextall's build-from-within mindset is breaking down in net.
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