Tyson Foerster has been out since Dec. 1 with an upper-body injury.
His original timeframe was four to five months after having surgery two weeks later in mid-December. Many believed he was out for the season unless the Flyers made the playoffs.
However, it may not require the Flyers getting into the playoffs for a possible return this year.
Things are starting to trend in the right direction for a potential return for Foerster sooner rather than later.
Over the past two weeks, Foerster has been traveling and practicing with the team. Although in non-contact form, his presence is noteworthy, especially with what could unfold this week.
Per sources, Foerster is expected to begin contact later this week in the next step of his recovery. Something that could come as early as the next Flyers practice.
Another source added he is a lot closer to a return than some think and wouldn’t be surprised if games come soon thereafter if all goes well in practice.
The Flyers will not put Foerster in a position where they feel he will hurt his long-term future. They will never force a return just to get a player back, even with a playoff spot in sight.
Danny Briere alluded to that on Sunday night.
“He’s getting closer and closer,” Briere said on Foerster’s status. “Don’t know if it will before the end of this year. We’ll see.”
The one tipping point in a potential return is going to be what kind of shape Foerster is in. If his body, after missing the past four months of the season, will be anywhere close to good enough to compete in the National Hockey League.
One source mentioned Tyson is probably at about 50% strength right now. That will have to get a lot better if he wants a chance to play.
If that strength does improve and his body is ready for games, when could that be?
There is no guarantee that he will return before the end of the season. But, as one source put it, it’s hard not to reward the guy for putting in the hard work to get back.
This week may be a big one for the next step for Foerster, but the following week may be an interesting one to keep an eye on.
