The Flyers don't like it, but they are trying to make the best of it.
They can't send Leighton or Brian Boucher to the minors because another team could claim them on waivers. They could send Bobrovsky to the Phantoms, but that seems illogical because he has shown he belongs here (see his excellent numbers) and it risks shattering his confidence.
As it stands, Bobrovsky's confidence is probably shaky because of so much inactivity lately.
No Russian translators have been around the team on its current road trip, so it's impossible to gauge how "Bob" feels about playing so sparingly in recent weeks.
First, he sat for a while because Boucher was playing so brilliantly.
In Los Angeles on Thursday, he sat because the Flyers gave Leighton his first start of the season.
Bobrovsky, 22, got just his third start in nine games Friday in a 5-2 loss to Anaheim. He has a 15-6-3 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, and .915 save percentage.
From here, the Flyers are treading dangerous territory. If they continue to play Bobrovsky sparingly, you wonder if he will stop believing in himself.
"It's always a concern," goalie coach Jeff Reese said. ". . . He's a young goalie who is finding himself, and there will be bumps in the road. It's a learning process, and that's what he's going through now. Everybody goes through it."
They do, but for Bobrovsky, who is alone in a new country, not playing much has to be extra difficult. The rink is his sanctuary. The kid is so focused, so diligent about working longer than anyone.
In short, he needs to be playing. A lot.
Does Laviolette worry about Bobrovsky losing the mojo he had earlier in the season?
