The Philadelphia Flyers are turning to a familiar NHL face to help fill a sudden void in their forward group. With Tyson Foerster expected to miss the next two to three months due to injury, the Flyers have recalled Carl Grundström from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley.
Grundström, 28, isn’t new to the big stage. He’s logged 293 NHL games over his career, and while his days as a full-time NHL regular may be behind him, he brings valuable experience and a hard-nosed style that fits right into the Flyers’ identity.
Philadelphia acquired the Swedish winger back in October in a deal that moved out the long-term injured reserve contract of Ryan Ellis. At the time, it was a savvy bit of cap maneuvering by GM Daniel Brière-Grundström came with a $1.8 million cap hit (set to expire at the end of this season), but also with the kind of depth value that becomes crucial when injuries hit.
And now, with Foerster sidelined, that depth is being put to use.
Grundström has been one of Lehigh Valley’s top scorers this season, and while he may not be part of the Flyers’ long-term plans, he’s exactly the kind of player who can step in and give them reliable minutes in the short term. Given his contract and current standing around the league, there’s little risk of him being claimed if he needs to pass through waivers again. That makes him an ideal plug-and-play option while the Flyers navigate a tough stretch of the schedule.
Fans might remember Grundström as a once-promising prospect in the Maple Leafs system. He was part of the return package in the Jake Muzzin trade and spent four seasons with the Kings, carving out a role as a gritty bottom-six winger. He never hit the 20-point mark in a season, but his straightforward, physical game gave L.A. some edge during his time there.
When the Kings began to shift back into contention mode, Grundström found himself on the outside looking in. He was moved to the Sharks, where he posted nine points in 56 games during a season that was more about surviving the rebuild than making noise in the standings.
Now, he’s got another shot. The Flyers are still very much in the playoff hunt, holding onto a wild card spot while fending off a crowded field of contenders.
They’ll host the Buffalo Sabres next, and Grundström could be in the lineup as early as tomorrow night. It’s a chance for him to reassert his value at the NHL level-and for the Flyers, it’s a timely reinforcement as they look to keep their postseason hopes on track.
He may not be the flashiest name, but Grundström brings something every team needs this time of year: veteran grit, positional awareness, and the ability to step in without disrupting the system. With Foerster out, the Flyers are hoping that’s enough to help them weather the storm.