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The original plan for Flyers general manager Daniel Briere’s Wednesday morning meeting with the local media was to talk about the team at this midpoint in the regular season: what’s gone well, what could be improved, and how Briere might have approached the impending trade deadline differently given that his overachieving team is currently in a playoff spot. That kind of thing.

However, throughout the last 18 hours, recent headlines altered all of that.

The Flyers announced in a statement shortly before Tuesday’s home game against Tampa Bay that goalkeeper Carter Hart would be taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.

Thus, Briere began his brief media appearance on Wednesday by citing a story from Toronto’s The Globe and Mail that stated five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team had been instructed to turn themselves in to London, Ontario, police so they could face accusations of sexual assault.

“The press reports from this morning regarding a very severe subject are known to us. When the investigation’s findings are made public, we will react suitably,” Briere stated. “The NHL has made it very apparent that teams have to direct all inquiries pertaining to investigations to them. Members of the organization, including the Flyers players, will refrain from making any more comments in the interim. We are limited to saying that at this time.

Briere declined to address any further inquiries on Hart in-depth. He did, however, touch on the Flyers’ goalkeeper dilemma.

“Cal Petersen and Sam Ersson will be our two goalies at this time, this week,” he stated.

The 25-year-old Hart, who is playing in his sixth NHL season and has only played 26 games with the Flyers, is 12-9-3 with a.906 save percentage and 2.80 goals-against average.

Briere stated, “Carter Hart was having a very strong season up until this moment.”

Despite the fact that Ersson, 24, appears to be having a breakthrough season and is pushing Hart even before this week’s events, Briere voiced confidence in his ability to handle a heavier workload while simultaneously issuing a warning against piling too much on his plate.

Ersson has a record of 16-10-4, a.921 save percentage, and a 2.08 goals-against average since November 18. Among goalies who have played in at least 10 games this season, his save % and goals-against average rank fourth in the league.

“Sam Ersson has made significant progress,” Briere remarked. “We must do all in our power to keep him safe. He’s still growing, a decent young goalie, and he keeps getting better. We’ll need to exercise caution, but we’re thrilled about his performance and his ability to keep us going as we learn more about Carter’s circumstances.

Since his summer introduction as the permanent general manager, Briere has been unwavering in his commitment to the future. Although he acknowledged that nothing has changed, he did acknowledge that the Flyers have so far pleasantly surprised him.