With Tyson Foerster sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Philadelphia Flyers are turning to some reinforcements from within the organization. On Tuesday evening, the club recalled forward Carl Grundstrom from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, giving the 28-year-old another shot at NHL ice time as the Flyers navigate a busy December slate.
Grundstrom, who just celebrated his birthday on Monday, has seen limited NHL action this season-just one game, to be exact. That outing came back on November 6 in a 3-2 overtime loss to Ottawa, where he logged 10:17 of ice time on the fourth line. He didn’t record a point or register a shot, but that brief stint gave the Flyers a glimpse of what he might bring to the bottom-six forward group.
Since then, Grundstrom has been making his case in the AHL. In 19 games with the Phantoms, he’s posted six goals and nine assists for 15 points, along with a +5 rating.
He’s been a steady contributor and has clearly found a rhythm in Lehigh Valley. It’s worth noting that Grundstrom came to Philadelphia as part of the deal that moved Ryan Ellis’ contract to San Jose-so this call-up is a chance for the Flyers to get a tangible return on that transaction at the NHL level.
With Foerster out, head coach Rick Tocchet and his staff now have some decisions to make. Grundstrom is a natural fit to slide into the fourth line, likely alongside Rodrigo Abols and Garnet Hathaway.
That unit has struggled through the first 25 games of the season, lacking consistency and offensive spark. Grundstrom may not be expected to light up the scoreboard, but his energy, forechecking ability, and offensive instincts could inject some life into that trio.
At the very least, he gives the coaching staff a new look to work with as the Flyers prepare for a stretch of 14 games in December.
Grundstrom’s arrival could also trigger a bit of a shuffle further up the lineup. One possibility?
Nikita Grebenkin moving into a more prominent role, potentially skating alongside Noah Cates and Travis Konecny. Grebenkin, acquired in the deal that sent Scott Laughton to Toronto, has shown flashes of what he can bring.
He’s a physical, puck-protecting winger who thrives in the corners and doesn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice.
In 16 games with the Flyers, Grebenkin has chipped in a goal and two assists. He made an early impression with an assist in his debut against Carolina on October 11, added another helper against his former team in a November 1 loss to the Maple Leafs, and netted his first goal in a shootout win over Montreal. While his offensive numbers aren’t eye-popping, his style of play could mesh well with more skilled linemates, especially if he gets a chance to play in the middle-six.
Of course, Tocchet could opt to keep Grebenkin in his current role and reinsert Nic Deslauriers into the lineup for Wednesday night’s matchup against the Sabres. But if the Flyers are looking to shake things up and get a spark, giving Grebenkin a run with Cates and Konecny could be a smart play. It’s a low-risk, high-upside move-if the chemistry clicks, it adds another layer of depth to a forward group that’s still trying to find its groove.
For now, the Flyers are making moves out of necessity. But with Grundstrom getting another NHL look and Grebenkin potentially earning a larger role, there’s also opportunity here-both for the players and the team.
December is shaping up to be a grind, and Philadelphia will need all hands on deck. If these lineup tweaks pay off, they might just help the Flyers stay afloat in a tight Eastern Conference race.