NEW YORK – About the only good thing injuries to a couple key players can provide is the chance to get a look at a new, untested player.
Such was the case on Saturday afternoon when the Flyers decided to do something about the vacancy created by the loss of winger Tyson Foerster for approximately five months.
So, the Flyers called up right wing Denver Barkey from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to make his NHL debut.
Barkey, 20, was selected by the Flyers in the third round (95th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The Newmarket, Ontario native was a member of the former two-time Memorial Cup champion London Knights.
“Denver will be playing his first NHL game so it will be a pretty cool moment for him,” Briere said in comments made before the game vs. the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Additionally, the Flyers were without the services of center Christian Dvorak and goaltender Dan Vladar for the game against the Rangers. Neither injury is believed to be serious.
In Vladar’s absence, Aleksei Kolosov was called up from the Phantoms to back up Sam Ersson.
Foerster was injured on Dec. 1 vs. Pittsburgh and underwent arm surgery on Dec. 15.
The original prognosis was two to three months, and surgery was not part of that outlook. What changed?
“It was a more in-depth examination,” Briere said. “Going to different doctors just to make sure, it was decided that the best thing was to take care of it with surgery.”
Briere said he’s fairly confident Barkey can help fill the Foerster vacancy.
“You hope,” Briere said. “It’s a pretty good player you’re trying to replace. That’s not easy. But it’s a chance for other guys to step up and get more ice time and take advantage of it.
“It’s the way we see it. It’s a great opportunity for a lot of guys and see what they can do. (Carl) Grundstrom had been recalled and since then he’s played extremely well. But it’s never easy to replace a guy like Tyson. He’s become a huge part of our offense.
Briere said the Flyers could move Trevor Zegras over from wing back to center where he played a considerable amount of time when he played for Anaheim.
“That’s where it’s kind of nice,” Briere said. “You have different options.”
Barkey has been playing well in Allentown. In 26 games, he has seven goals/16 points.
“He’s played extremely well,” Briere said. “The biggest thing has been his consistency. He’s been good night after night. He’s earned to get a look.”
Dvorak has played well of late and will be missed.
“He just needs a few days,” Briere said. “He won’t dress today. Hopefully, we don’t expect him to miss more than today. According to our trainers, it shouldn’t be long-term.”
The Flyers have counted on Vladar for much of their goaltending.
“Vladar’s got a little boo-boo,” Briere said. “Upper body, day-to-day. Nothing too serious. He should be back by Monday (home vs. Vancouver). We don’t know for sure but that’s what we’re hoping for.”
Briere has been pleased with the play of Grundstrom, who was picked up from San Jose and initially reported to the Phantoms without a complaint back in October.
“The exciting thing about Grundstrom is that he could come in and play for an NHL player,” Briere said. “You never go in thinking you’re going to lose a Tyson Foerster and we’re going to need to replace him.
“You look for a guy who can come in and help you at some point. We knew he was an NHL player in the past. It’s his attitude, he never complains. He was excited for a new start. You cheer for guys like that.”
>Thoughts on Zamula
Egor Zamula cleared waivers and was returned to the Phantoms. He’s been part of the organization since 2018 and the team sounds happy to still have him.
“He needs to play,” Briere said, mindful the young Russian has been in and out of the lineup. “It doesn’t really help him sitting game after game. We figured if he cleared waivers, it would give him a chance to maybe find his game again.”
Zamula lost his spot in a regular rotation after Cam York and Rasmus Ristolainen returned from injuries.
“Hopefully he can find his game,” Briere said. “We could very well see him back with the big team at some point.”
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