Philadelphia Flyers
Promising Flyers Forwards See Golden Opportunity Open Up
Philadelphia Flyers forward Tyson Foerster exited Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with an upper-body injury. The Flyers have released a statement, saying Foerster is out for two-to-three months.
The Flyers’ forward has been a key contributor for the Flyers all season. Despite missing four games in November with a lower-body injury, Foerster still leads the team with 10 goals. He plays a pivotal role in special teams, being a power-play guy as well as a penalty killer.
Foerster has eaten minutes for the Flyers this season, playing both sides with of special teams, while being a top-line player, but also on what has been the Flyers’ matchup/most responsible line. It’s safe to say that if Foerster misses some time, his absence will be felt.
With the lengthy absence, two Flyers’ prospects could have the chance to step up in his absence. Nikita Grebenkin or Alex Bump could see a golden opportunity with the Flyers.
Flyers could give Grebenkin the minutes he needs
Let’s be honest, this fourth-line “will he, won’t he play” role for Nikita Grebenkin is doing absolutely nothing for his development.
With Tyson Foerster out for at least two months, that leaves an open spot in the top-nine for Nikita Grebenkin to start earning the minutes he needs to develop.
Not only will this help give the Flyers an idea of what they really have with Grebenkin, it gives him the chance prove to the Flyers that he can stick in the NHL. The fourth line has been unproductive all season. Grebenkin’s three points come playing up the lineup. Garnet Hathaway and Nick Deslauriers have no points, and Rodrigo Abols has just one goal.
Grebenkin has a goal and two assists this season in 16 games. He’s been averaging just under 10 minutes a game.
Along with that, you could expect the Flyers to call up one of their veteran forwards to fill that fourth-line wing. Carl Grundstrom feels like the likely candidate in this instance.
Is two months enough to give Alex Bump the call?
The Flyers now have the opportunity to give Alex Bump his first look in the NHL.
There have been openings in the roster this season, including during Foerster’s absence this season. However, the consensus was that a day-to-day injury was not enough to call up Bump, and stunt the positive momentum he was building in Lehigh.
So far this season, Bump has 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 20 games. This is including his very slow start to his first full professional season.
Bump has undoubtedly turned head in the AHL this season, proving why he is one of the Flyers most highly touted prospects.
With the log jam the Flyers have on the wing, and Grebenkin’s development already being halted for that same reason, keeping Bump in the AHL for a short-term injury makes sense.
However, two months is not a short time. With the top-nine spot wide open and plenty of time to adjust, this could be the perfect opportunity to get Bump some early NHL time.
This is where I lean.
What should the Flyers do with Foerster out for two-to-three months?
I will play GM……Barkey, Bump, Gendron, Gaucher…all up rotationally for 8/10 consecutive games apiece ….let them get a taste of the NHL on the team….and still keep Nikita G. on the team.
Will –
What’s the status of Alexis Gendron? I see he has a similar number of goals as Bump but has played four less games.
I’ve only been to one Phantoms game this year but was to quite a few last year, mostly towards the end of the season. I thought Gendron was as good if not better than Bump.
I guess I’m with Romus on allowing at least Gendron a shot at proving he can play with the big team. He brings an element of speed that can make a difference, particularly if he has other speedy players on the same line.