Flyers’ Tyson Foerster likely to miss the rest of the season after arm surgery

After an impressive 4-1 road win and losing streak stopper Tuesday night in Montreal, the Flyers’ vibes were high.

But Wednesday brought a gut punch to the Flyers and their playoff hopes, as the team announced that winger Tyson Foerster will miss the next five months after undergoing arm surgery on Monday. Given the team’s recovery timeline, Foerster’s season, in all likelihood, is over.

Foerster, 23, suffered the “upper-body” injury on Dec. 1 against Pittsburgh while attempting a one-timer in the second period. As Foerster followed through on his shot, he immediately dropped to the ice and winced in pain. He then skated off in noticeable pain while holding his right arm.

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The Flyers placed Foerster on injured reserve on Dec. 3, initially saying the winger was expected to miss two to three months, which would have had him in line to potentially return around the February Olympic break. A team source told The Inquirer then that the Flyers were hopeful that the injury would not require surgery and that it could be treated through rehab. On Wednesday, the Flyers’ team statement said that the decision to have Foerster undergo surgery came ”after further medical consultation and diagnostic testing."

The winger had a separate surgery in the offseason after a right elbow injury he suffered during last spring’s World Championships became infected. After some initial concern, he returned in time for the start of the regular season.

Before this most recent injury, Foerster was in the midst of a career season with a team-high 10 goals and 13 points in 21 games. He was second on the team with a plus-7 rating. Including the last nine games of last season, Foerster had scored 19 goals in his last 30 games, which was tied for 10th in the NHL since March 27.

“That’s tough. He’s such a big part of the team, the locker room, everything,” forward Travis Konecny said of Foerster’s injury earlier this month. “So, yeah, I mean, it’s definitely difficult.”

Added Noah Cates then: “Yeah, [it stinks]. Seeing a teammate, or anyone, go down, and obviously just such an important part of our team, our core, just special teams, everything like that, so, yeah, just kind of messed with our lineup. … But everyone’s got to be ready and ready to play with everyone.”

With Foerster likely out for the season, the Flyers will need other wingers to step up offensively, including the likes of Owen Tippett and Bobby Brink. The team could also entertain recalling prospect Alex Bump or a veteran winger like Anthony Richard from Lehigh Valley at some point if it needs an offensive boost. Bump, 22, leads the Phantoms with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists), while the 28-year-old Richard, who tallied two goals and six points in 15 games last season for the Flyers, tops the Phantoms’ goal-scoring charts with eight.

But for now the Flyers seem content to roll with what they have, particularly with winger Carl Grundström playing so well. Grundström, who was recalled from Lehigh Valley when Foerster was placed on injured reserve, was elevated to the Flyers’ top nine on Tuesday and scored his third goal in five games. The Swedish winger, who has impressed coach Rick Tocchet with his skating ability, played alongside Sean Couturier and Tippett on Tuesday and has been more effective than Nikita Grebenkin in that top-nine role thus far.

“I try to bring a lot of energy to the team and play physical and be direct. So I think that’s my style,” Grundström said Monday after morning skate, adding that the Flyers’ style of play fits his game well overall.

The Flyers will hope that Grundström and others can continue to pitch in, as Foerster, one of the team’s top snipers and best defensive forwards, will be a big loss for a team that currently occupies a playoff spot as the season approaches the halfway point.

Staff writer Jackie Spiegel contributed to this article.