On top of a new GM, just about anything can happen for Flyers in net

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The Flyers' goalie situation will be an area to clean up — or at least amend — for the new general manager.

It's been a mess this season.

Already, the Flyers have played five goalies, a group that has combined for a league-worst .879 save percentage. As a team, the Flyers are allowing the NHL's second-most goals per game at 3.58.

One of those five goaltenders, Calvin Pickard, was placed on waivers Wednesday and claimed Thursday by the Coyotes.

So where do the Flyers stand now in net? Let's take a look:

Brian Elliott

Head coach Dave Hakstol on Tuesday said the 33-year-old is week to week with his lower-body injury. Elliott was on the ice Wednesday and the Flyers desperately need him — not only now, but to stay healthy.

That'll be a big concern when he returns. The injury appears to be a groin issue and Elliott also underwent core muscle surgery last season in February.

Prior to the Nov. 15 game in which he suffered this injury, Elliott had been playing well over his previous eight outings, going 5-3-0 with a 1.73 goals-against average and .938 save percentage.

Michal Neuvirth

The oft-injured goalie is considered day to day but appears ready to return from a lower-body injury, especially given Pickard is gone and Anthony Stolarz is the only healthy goalie currently on the roster.

Similar to Elliott, the question is how much will the Flyers get out of Neuvirth?

After coming back from an injury he sustained in the preseason, Neuvirth played one game Oct. 27 before going right back on the shelf.

He could be the guy Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Anthony Stolarz

The 24-year-old is here but probably for not much longer. In Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Senators, Stolarz made his first NHL start since April 9, 2017.

When Elliott returns — or another goalie arrives — Stolarz will head back to AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley.

Alex Lyon

The 25-year-old did not look sharp in his one game, a 5-2 loss to the Sabres last week. He allowed four goals on 12 shots before being pulled after the first period.

He's back with the Phantoms.

Carter Hart

Yes, we're mentioning Hart. Given his name came up in Tuesday's press conference with Flyers president Paul Holmgren and Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dave Scott, that's enough to list him here.

Deemed by many as the goalie of the future, the 20-year-old Hart has shown he clearly still needs time to develop at Lehigh Valley. In his first year with the Phantoms, Hart is 5-4-2 with a 3.61 goals-against average and .884 save percentage.

But who knows, it seems like everyone is getting a crack with the Flyers this season. We'll have to wait and see how the new GM wants to approach Hart's situation — and the Flyers' situation overall in net (see story).

Outside options

Scott Darling was placed on waivers Thursday by the Hurricanes. He's 29 years old, 6-foot-5 and went 2-4-1 with a 3.14 goals-against average and .892 save percentage in seven games with Carolina this season.

Also, you can bet the Flyers will be actively looking leading up to the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Time will tell where the team is with its goalies and in the standings come closer to that date.

A lot can change across the league, but here's a look at the netminders set to become unrestricted free agents in 2019-20 that the Flyers could swing for at the deadline or in the offseason.

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