Senators' Samuel Ersson: Beaten four times in preseason finale
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Ersson stopped 22 of 26 shots in Saturday's 4-2 preseason loss to the Canadiens.
Ersson allowed one goal in the first period and another early in the second before Montreal broke a 2-2 tie with two third-period tallies. The 26-year-old made his second preseason appearance against Montreal after stopping 32 of 35 shots in Monday's 3-2 overtime loss to the same Canadiens team. Ersson will open the 2026-27 season as Ottawa's No. 2 goalkeeper.
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Senators' Samuel Ersson: Battles in OT loss
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Ersson stopped 32 of 35 shots on net in Monday's 3-2 overtime preseason loss to the Canadiens.
Ersson's first official game with Ottawa ended up being a mixed bag, where he allowed just one goal across the first 51 minutes before surrendering two tallies to Cole Caufield down the stretch. While the late collapse was slightly discouraging, the blame isn't all on Ersson, who looked a step above his output from 2025-26. In 33 regular-season games a year ago, the 26-year-old backstop struggled with a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage. With a performance that contained highs and lows, we'll likely see Ersson suit up one more time this preseason before an official decision is made regarding Ottawa's backup netminder.
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Senators' Samuel Ersson: Slated for Sens debut
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Ersson is expected to patrol the road crease in Monday's preseason matchup.
Ersson is listed atop Ottawa's expected line chart for Monday's contest, indicating that he will likely make his team debut. The 26-year-old backstop is looking to benefit from the change of scenery, as he's coming off a 2025-26 where he had a 14-11-5 record, a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage across 33 regular-season starts. He's shown flashes of solid play throughout his four-year NHL career and will try to use Monday's preseason showing to stake his claim for the Senators' backup role. He'll likely battle against Leevi Merilainen for the top backup spot, who is also active Monday.
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Samuel Ersson: Doesn't receive qualifying offer
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Ersson was not given a qualifying offer by the Senators on Monday, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports.
While the decision will allow Ersson to test free agency Wednesday, according to McKenzie, the Senators are still working to re-sign the 26-year-old backstop after acquiring him from the Maple Leafs on June 26. If he does return to Ottawa, Ersson will likely battle for the No. 2 spot alongside Leevi Merilainen.
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Maple Leafs' Samuel Ersson: Headed to Canada
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Ersson was traded to Toronto from Philadelphia on Tuesday along with Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.
In 33 regular-season appearances this year, Ersson posted a 14-11-5 record, a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage. While the 26-year-old backstop should still be in the mix for plenty of opportunities with the Leafs, he figures to be the No. 2 option to start the season behind Anthony Stolarz (groin). Still, with Stolarz's extensive injury history (he's only hit the 30-game mark in one of his last five seasons), Ersson could get a chance to play No. 1 minutes if called upon.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Starting regular-season finale
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Ersson will start Tuesday's home game against the Canadiens.
Ersson has appeared in just one of the Flyers' last six games, but he'll draw the start in Tuesday's regular-season finale, likely to give Dan Vladar -- who will presumably serve as Philadelphia's top netminder in the playoffs -- a night off. Across eight outings since the Olympic break, Ersson has gone 5-1-0 with a 1.99 GAA and .908 save percentage.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Crashes against Wings
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Ersson made 15 saves in Thursday's 4-2 loss to Detroit.
The final line was shaky for the 26-year-old netminder, but Ersson didn't actually have much of a chance at stopping any of the pucks that got past him. It was his first regulation loss since Jan. 29, and over seven outings since the Olympic break Ersson's gone 5-1-0 with a dazzling 1.86 GAA and .913 save percentage.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Facing Red Wings
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Ersson will protect the home cage versus Detroit on Thursday, according to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Ersson is in the midst of a four-game winning streak in which allowed six goals on 92 shots (.935 save percentage). Overall, the 26-year-old is 13-10-5 with a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage over 30 contests in 2025-26. The Red Wings are 21st in league scoring, generating 2.89 goals per contest.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Wins streak at four
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Ersson turned aside 25 shots in Thursday's 5-1 win over Chicago.
Connor Bedard spoiled his shutout bid in the second period, but otherwise Ersson was sharp as he won his fourth straight decision since the Olympic break. He remains behind Dan Vladar on the depth chart, but Ersson is doing his best to keep the Flyers in the playoff picture when called upon, posting a dazzling 1.58 GAA and .931 save percentage in five outings during that stretch.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Set to face Chicago
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Ersson is expected to start at home against Chicago on Thursday, per Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Ersson has an 11-10-5 record, 3.28 GAA and .864 save percentage in 28 outings in 2025-26. He's making his first start since last Thursday, when he stopped 22 of 25 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over Los Angeles. Chicago ranks 30th in goals per game with 2.59 this season.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Picks up shootout win
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Ersson stopped 22 of 25 shots in Thursday's 4-3 shootout win over the Kings.
This was a close battle for much of the game, but Ersson still played well enough to help the Flyers get the win. He stopped both attempts in the shootout to secure the victory, his third in his last four outings. The Swedish netminder is now 11-10-5 with a 3.28 GAA and an .864 save percentage over 28 appearances, so it's unlikely he'll unseat Dan Vladar as the Flyers' top goalie. Look for Vladar to get the nod Saturday in San Jose to close out this road trip.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Secures win over Capitals
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Ersson stopped 21 of 22 shots in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Capitals.
Ersson has won his last two starts, and he's allowed just three goals on 49 shots over his three appearances since the Olympic break. The 26-year-old's improved play could make the Flyers more comfortable with giving Dan Vladar the occasional rest. Ersson is up to 10-10-5 with a 3.30 GAA and an .863 save percentage over 27 appearances, so he still carries some risk. Expect Vladar to get the nod for Thursday's road game in Minnesota.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Slated to face Washington
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Ersson is expected to start at home against Washington on Wednesday, per Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Sports.
Ersson is making his first start since Feb. 26, but he did stop the three shots he faced in a relief appearance Monday. The 26-year-old has a 9-10-5 record, 3.40 GAA and .859 save percentage in 26 outings in 2025-26. Washington is coming off a 7-3 victory over Calgary on Monday, which ended the Capitals' three-game losing streak and brought the team's record up to 32-26-7.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Needed in relief Monday
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Ersson turned aside all three shots he faced after replacing Dan Vladar to begin the third period of Monday's 6-2 loss to the Rangers.
New York took its foot off the gas over the final 20 minutes, so Ersson was relatively unchallenged during his relief outing. The 26-year-old netminder has made only three appearances since Vladar returned in late January from a lower-body injury, giving up seven goals on 47 shots in that time, but Ersson should get a start during a back-to-back set this week, either Wednesday against the Capitals at home or Thursday on the road in Minnesota.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Earns OT win Thursday
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Ersson stopped 22 of 24 shots in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Rangers.
Ersson protected the Flyers' crease for the first time since Jan. 29, when he gave up five goals on 20 shots in a loss to the Bruins, but he did a good job this time out. It was Ersson's first win since Jan. 23, but he should revert to his regular backup role behind Dan Vladar when the Flyers take on the Bruins on Saturday.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Ready to return
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Ersson (lower body) will serve as the backup goaltender for Wednesday's road game against Washington.
Ersson missed Philadelphia's final three games before the Olympic break due to the injury. Dan Vladar is set to start against the Capitals. Ersson has an 8-10-5 record, 3.51 GAA and .856 save percentage in 24 outings in 2025-26.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Out of action Saturday
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Ersson (lower body) will miss Saturday's home game versus Los Angeles, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Ersson sustained the injury in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Bruins. Dan Vladar will start Saturday's contest, while Aleksei Kolosov will be the backup after being recalled from AHL Lehigh Valley on Saturday. It's unclear when Ersson will be available to return.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Leaves Thursday's game
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Ersson (lower body) won't return to Thursday's game versus the Bruins.
Ersson allowed five goals on 20 shots in two periods of action. It's unclear when the injury occurred. Dan Vladar took over in goal and will likely handle the bulk of the goaltending duties for as long as Ersson is out.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Set to face Boston
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Ersson is set to start on the road against Boston on Thursday.
Ersson has allowed at least three goals in five of his past six outings. He's 8-9-5 with a 3.39 GAA and an .860 save percentage in 23 appearances this season. He'll be up against the red-hot Bruins, who are 11-2-1 across their past 13 outings while averaging 4.00 goals per game over that span.
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Flyers' Samuel Ersson: Bounces back Friday
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Ersson stopped 32 of 35 shots in Friday's 7-3 win over the Avalanche.
Ersson had a solid performance in a challenging matchup against one of the best teams in the league. He earned the win while posting a save percentage above .910 for the second time since Dec. 23. Ersson should remain as the Flyers' No. 1 netminder for the time being, but he's going to return to a backup role once Dan Vladar (lower body) returns. Ersson has gone 2-2-1 with a 3.48 GAA and an .873 save percentage over his last six starts.
