The Future Flyers Report lives to see another week.
Before this week begins, it's time for our weekly check-in on the Flyers' prospects still playing in the AHL playoffs, SHL final, and the CHL playoffs. There is not much promise left for the Phantoms, while a pair of Swedish prospects find themselves tied in the SHL final.
Alex Lyon, G, 24, 6-1/201, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
The Phantoms are on the brink of elimination after losing Games 1 and 2 of their best-of-five series with the Hershey Bears last Friday and Saturday night, and things do not appear to get any easier for Lehigh Valley. Lyon needed to be helped off the ice with 11:22 left in the third period of Lehigh Valley's 5-4 loss to the Bears on Saturday night. Hershey forward Travis Boyd made incidental contact with the Phantoms' goalie. Lyon could not put weight on his right leg, according to Highland Park Hockey. With Lyon out for the rest of the Hershey series, Lehigh Valley's season could come to an end Wednesday night. Already down Anthony Stolarz, the Phantoms would likely turn to Martin Ouellette as their starter instead of forcing Carter Hart into an impossible situation facing elimination. Before suffering his injury, Lyon stopped 10 of 13 shots against the Bears. He was excellent in Game 1 Friday night, turning away 20 of 21 shots but the Phantoms lost, 1-0, in overtime.
Carter Hart, G, 18, 6-1/181, Everett (WHL)
As expected, Hart joined the Phantoms last week for Lehigh Valley's playoff run. He did not dress in either Game 1 or 2 against Hershey. Hart told CSN's John Boruk last Wednesday that Montreal's Carey Price and Washington's Braden Holtby are two of his favorite goalies and that he has studied both of their games. Phantoms coach Scott Gordon raved about the structure in Hart's game. "More times than not, the puck will hit him and he'll have the appropriate response after the save is made to make the next save," Gordon said.
Oskar Lindblom, LW, 20, 6-1/192, Brynäs IF (SHL)
Lindblom has had a quiet SHL final for Brynäs IF, which finds itself tied, 2-2, to HV71 after four games in its best-of-seven series. Last week, Brynäs won Game 2, 3-2, in overtime Tuesday, Game 3, 4-3, in OT on Thursday and lost, 6-4, in Game 4 on Saturday. Lindblom was pointless in all three games and was a combined minus-4 in Games 3 and 4. He did register 10 shots on goal and was credited with seven hits last week. Through four SHL final games, Lindblom has just one goal and is a minus-6. Game 5 is Monday.
Felix Sandstrom, G, 20, 6-2/187, Brynäs IF (SHL)
Sandstrom started just one game last week for Brynäs. The 20-year-old goalie stopped 14 of 16 shots in 63:19 during Brynäs' 3-2 OT win last Tuesday. He missed Game 3 on Thursday because of an illness. David Rautio got the start Thursday and Saturday. If fully recovered from his illness, Sandstrom should be back in net for Game 5 on Monday.
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Connor Bunnaman, C, 19, 6-3/214, Kitchener (OHL)
The Flyers signed Bunnaman to an entry-level contract last Friday. He was the team's fourth-round pick (109 overall) in 2016. He scored 37 goals and 52 points as an 18-year-old this season with the Rangers, up from 19 goals and 38 points in 2015-16. He turned 19 on Easter. An interesting observation from CSNPhilly.com contributor Ryan Bright, Bunnaman was drafted at 6-foot-1, 207. He is now listed at 6-3, 214.
Philippe Myers, D, 20, 6-5/208, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
Myers' junior season is over. The 6-5 defenseman joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms during their playoff run. He did not play in Games 1 or 2 over the weekend. It is unlikely he will play at all during the AHL postseason unless the Phantoms have to deal with injuries. Rouyn-Noranda lost its playoff series with Chicoutimi in five games last week. Myers had a goal and was a minus-5 in five playoff games against the Saguenéens. He had nine points and finished as a minus-2 in 13 playoff games. As a 20-year-old, he is no longer eligible for juniors. He will turn pro next season, either playing for the Flyers or the Phantoms.
Carsen Twarynski, LW, 19, 6-2/198, Kelowna (WHL)
Twarynski is the Flyers' lone CHL prospect still playing, as Kelowna is tied, 1-1, in its best-of-seven series with Seattle in the WHL Conference Finals. Twarynski was pointless in both Games 1 and 2 for the Rockets. Through 12 playoff games -- he was suspended one game -- he has three goals, two assists, a game-winning goal and 15 penalty minutes. Kelowna and Seattle face off on Tuesday night in Game 3 in Kelowna.
