Flyers Primer: Foerster’s Preseason Debut and Bubble Guys Against Boston

The Philadelphia Flyers are heading up to Boston to close their home-and-home with the Boston Bruins on Monday. Philly has yet to win a preseason game since the opener against the Islanders, where the Flyers won in a shootout.

Saturday’s loss to the Bruins in Philadelphia featured a lineup full of NHL talent. Monday’s roster will spotlight many of the bubble players, including Nikita Grebenkin and Jett Luchanko, as well as Tyson Foerster’s preseason debut.

Here are the lines the Flyers game group ran at morning skate ahead of their road trip.

Read More: Flyers Preseason: Grebenkin Takes Control of Roster Battle in 4-3 Loss to Boston

Flyers Projected Lines and Pairs

Forwards
Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Nikita Grebenkin – Jett Luchanko – Garnet Hathaway
Denver Barkey – Jacob Gaucher – Anthony Richard
Nic Deslauriers – Rodrigo Abols – Alexis Gendron

Defensemen
Noah Juulsen – Dennis Gilbert
Emil Andrae – Hunter McDonald
Adam Ginning – *Dennis Gilbert*

Goalies
Dan Vladar
Aleksei Kolosov

* Dennis Gilbert skated twice during pairs for the morning skate. Egor Zamula and Ty Murchison were both on the game roster. Zamula came on the ice later in the morning; Murchison never did. It’s safe to assume Zamula will play, and Murchison is the scratch.

Headlines for Flyers vs. Bruins

Tyson Foerster is set to make his 2025 preseason debut. He had been in a non-contact jersey for the opening portion of training, as he was still rehabbing his upper-body injury. It’s been just about a week since Foerster put on the full-contact sweater, donning it for the first time this season on September 23rd.

When asked after morning skate, Foerster said he is going 100% Monday night. “For me, it’s just full go. I’m sure the trainers are going to be watching me, but for me it’s full go,” said Foerster. He will be skating with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink, a line with which he is extremely familiar.

Rodrigo Abols remains in the lineup and has yet to miss a preseason game. Abols is another bubble player fighting for a roster spot. He has had a great camp and an even better showing during the preseason games, being one of the most productive players. Rick Tocchet said his versatility to play on the wing or center has kept him in the lineup. The Flyers are certainly getting a good look at Abols.

Nikita Grebenkin and Jett Luchanko are getting another good look on Monday. Grebenkin had a great game against Boston on Saturday, creating some separation between himself and the other bubble players, such as Luchanko and Alex Bump. I’d keep an eye on that second line Monday night, as both players are looking to solidify their cases for the Flyers’ roster.

Regarding Luchanko, he is a player who does a lot of the little things right. He is a great defender, a quick skater, and an excellent passer. One thing that Tocchet would like to see more of from the prospect is for him to shoot more. I would keep an eye on that during Monday’s game – let’s see if he can pick up the offensive aggressiveness.

How to Watch Flyers @ Bruins

The game will be broadcast on the radio on 97.5 The Fanatic, with the live stream once again on PHILADELPHIAFLYERS.COM. Puck drop in Boston is at 7:00 p.m. EST. at TD Garden.

Read More: Flyers Bubble Watch: Who Stood Out, Who Did NOT, in 5-1 Loss to Caps