If the Flyers could have one player healthy for the whole season, that one player would be Tyson Foerster.
Foerster not only leads the team in goals this season, but has also been their best overall forward.
Dating back to last season, Foerster had 19 goals in his last 33 games. It is a development that shows what the Flyers hope Foerster can become one day.
After breaking out last season on a line with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink, Foerster has shown massive growth this season. His goal scoring has always been there, but his overall game has taken another big step.
So far this season, he has been one of, if not the best, two way forward on the Flyers.
Now, in his absence until after the Olympic Break, the Flyers must replace his presence in the lineup.
To start, it will be a showcase of Nikita Grebenkin.
Grebenkin, who won a spot on the opening night roster with his strong preseason, has been dying for this opportunity. Rick Tocchet has been iterating that statement.
“I got to find him (Grebenkin) more ice time”, Tocchet told reporters after a game in early November.
Well, now is the time for Grebenkin to show his stuff. If he can’t, it doesn’t sound like the Flyers will be willing to wait long to give some else a chance.
According to a source, the Flyers plan is to take it week by week in the absence of Foerster. The source noting that Grebenkin gets the first chance at it.
Grebenkin’s play, tonight will play with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink, will dictate if and when the Flyers need to make a move.
Now, what that move could be?
The obvious name is Alex Bump.
After a slow start, he has turned it in Lehigh. The Flyers, though, don’t seem like they are in any rush to bring him up. Bump did not have the best of performances last week when the Flyers management was in attendance.
This has become somewhat of a usual happening this year for Bump. When the Flyers management has been in attendance, he has tended to struggle. Which, in the Flyers mind, seems more of the pressure he is putting on himself.
One name that will certainly get Flyers fans excited is Denver Barkey and its warranted.
Barkey has been a much more consistent player than Bump in Lehigh to start the season. And, the Flyers have noticed.
Last week, before the Foerster injury, there was talk the Flyers were debating on bringing up Barkey. That plan fell through as the team won three straight. The Flyers also believe its a little early to move Sean Couturier down to more of a fourth line center role.
In any case, what happens over the next two months will have a big impact on what the Flyers want to accomplish this season.
The injury to Foerster is a bump in the road. But, the Flyers are not going to sit back and let a chance at making the playoffs disappear because of an injury.
