Mike Santa Barbara

Sports writer with over 15 years of experience, covering high school to pro sports. Rec League hockey legend.

Author's Posts

Carter Hart Will Solve Flyers' Goaltending Woes

August 14th, 2019 After decades of searching, the Philadelphia Flyers seemingly found their goaltender last season after calling up top prospect, Carter Hart. While Hart alone wasn’t enough to save what was a sinking ship most of the year in Philly, he showed flashes of the kind of potential he can have moving forward. One of the...

Flyers’ Claude Giroux is Underrated

August 12th, 2019 Since breaking into the league over a decade ago, Claude Giroux hasn’t been treated like an elite player, when in reality, it's praise he deserves. Why Giroux doesn’t get the publicity he deserves at a national level and is at most times criticized in the town he plays in, is anyone’s guess. However, it’s time to change the...

Flyers' Patrick Could Progress Like Couturier

August 7th, 2019 Heading into his third NHL season with the Philadelphia Flyers, expectations will be high for the former second-overall pick, Nolan Patrick. After two underwhelming seasons, many are looking for Patrick to show growth on the ice and on the stat sheet this season. While every player’s career has its own path, so far, Patrick’s...

Have the Flyers Done Enough to Improve Their Defense?

July 30th, 2019 After another underachieving season in 2018-19, the Philadelphia Flyers made changes behind the bench and on the roster ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. General manager Chuck Fletcher decided to replace interim head coach Scott Gordon with Alain Vigneault, bringing about a new direction for the franchise. The Flyers made a big...