One of the running themes in doing these season previews for the upcoming season is noting that just about everyone had a down year last year. Production was down from the season before, which is why the Flyers went, in one season, from almost playoff contention to sputtering to the finish line. It's why they lost their head coach. However, not everyone had a down season in 2024-25. There is one major exception: Tyson Foerster
Foerster, despite the chaos of last year, improved statistically. Following a rookie campaign in which he scored 20 goals with 13 assists, culminating in a seventh-place finish for the Calder Trophy, Foerster capped off last season with 25 goals and 18 assists. Ok, it's not Earth-shatteringly better, but it is an improvement. Considering how this team played last season, it is a fairly substantial increase.
Foerster keeps trending upward
Foerster was the Flyers' 2020 first-round pick, being selected at 23rd overall. So far, he's paid off dividends. After successful runs with the Barrie Colts of the OHL and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he made an eight-game debut with Philly in 2023. In those eight games, he made quite an impression: three goals and four assists.
His numbers, despite a limited number of games, warranted a full-time call-up. He did not disappoint, as shown above. His quick skating and quick wrist shot have made him a consistently solid scorer. He has played alongside Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, Owen Tippett, and Matvei Michkov.
However, he started connecting well with his new linemates: Noah Cates and Bobby Brink. This line ended up being the most consistent last season, both offensively and defensively. All three players learned where each other would be, anticipated the upcoming play, becoming a very reliable line for Philly, and a headache for other teams.
As the offseason began, Foerster was an RFA. The Flyers gave the 23-year-old winger a two-year extension. In 2027, he'll again be eligible for an extension. Most likely, he'll be the next Flyer extended deep into the 2030s.
However, there is a wrinkle in all of this. While playing for Team Canada in the International Ice Hockey Federation Tournament this offseason, he hurt his elbow. It was believed to be not a big deal. Then, somehow, it got infected and required surgery. Now, we have to sit and wait to see what happens next. He may miss some time this fall, he may miss no time, or he could miss a lot of time. We aren't sure yet. As of right now, there has been no update. All we know for sure is he is recovering.
If he can come back healthy and play at the level we are used to seeing, he will be one of the most important cogs moving forward. If he misses a lot of time or comes back a shell of what he was, that could be a problem for the Flyers. Right now, let's hope and pray he'll be back at the level we are used to seeing. If not, let's hope that the "next man up" will be just as good.