The Philadelphia Flyers have been playing well so far this season, as they exceed expectations and are firmly in the playoff picture. Due to this, the Flyers were in good position to add to help make a push for a playoff berth and add depth. If there was one specific need for the Flyers, it was to add another scorer.
Now, the Flyers desperately need some scoring help after the brutal news they received on Tuesday.
During Monday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Flyers winger Tyson Foerster exited the game after taking a one-timer shot. He fell to his knees and favored his right arm before heading to the locker room. Foerster didn't return for the remainder of the game.
On Tuesday, Flyers general manager Danny Briere announced that Foerster is out for the next two to three months with an upper body injury. It's brutal news, considering Foerster is the team's top scorer with 10 goals. Now, they'll have to try and stay afloat and find goals somewhere to help stay afloat in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture.
It might be time for the Flyers to make a trade for some scoring help.
Flyers must make trade for scoring help with Tyson Foerster sidelined long-term with injury
The injury to Foerster is concerning. Not only was it a non-contact injury while attempting a shot, but it's also the same arm where he had suffered an elbow infection during the IIHF World Championships in May. The infection forced him to miss the start of Flyers training camp. Now with this injury, the Flyers will be without one of their best goal scorers for a significant portion of the season.
The Flyers needed the scoring help before. Now, it's really time for Briere to work the phones and try to get some help to fill in for Foerster.
The Vancouver Canucks make the most sense as a trade partner, as team president Jim Rutherford confirmed that they are open to trading their pending unrestricted free agents in an attempt to build a younger team. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet coached the Canucks the previous three years, so bringing in a former player that he coached makes sense. Kiefer Sherwood is the top player, as he scored 12 goals in 26 games, and he plays a physical style that fits the Flyers mold. Teddy Blueger is also available, but he won't make the same impact on the scoreboards as Sherwood.
There are also the Nashville Predators, who firmly sit at the bottom of the league standings. They have the star power, with names like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, who can play the wing. The problem is, they both have full no-trade clauses, so it's really up to them as to where they'll be moved, if they even want that. Ryan O'Reilly? Predators general manager Barry Trotz has an insanely high asking price for the veteran.
The Calgary Flames also sit near the bottom of the standings, but they are a team that doesn't seem willing to make a trade. Nazem Kadri appears to be off-limits. But a name like Blake Coleman would make sense for the Flyers, as he can play the wing, dish out hits, score goals, and has playoff experience. Again, that all depends on if Calgary's front office decides to pull the plug on the season.
If the Flyers want to find a quick external option, their best bet may be the Canucks. This is the issue with nearly every team in playoff contention. They could decide to look internally for replacements, but it's going to be difficult for anyone to put up the goals like Foerster has this season.