PHILADELPHIA – Maybe if the Flyers were out of playoff contention, the Tyson Foerster wait might have lasted a little longer.
But with the team squarely in the hunt entering the last two weeks of the season, both the player and the team wanted to see him back in action.
So on Thursday night vs. Detroit, Foerster was scheduled to go back on the ice for the first time since Dec. 1. He has been sidelined for 49 games due to arm surgery.
At the morning skate, coach Rick Tocchet said he planned to keep an eye on Foerster’s ice time but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t see a number of minutes on the team’s top power-play unit.
In five-on-play, Foerster was slated to play on a top line with Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny.
“His hockey IQ is outstanding,” Tocchet said about Foerster. “His shot ability, he plays in all situations. He gets it done. We’re excited for him. He worked hard. Four months, a lot of lonely nights at the rink by himself. So I give him a lot of credit.”
Foerster, 24, was leading the Flyers in goals (10) at the time of his injury. The Allison, Ontario native was also among the team leaders in plus-minus at plus-7.
Tocchet watched Foerster in recent workouts to see how well the recovery/comeback was coming along. Ditto doctors who were running tests.
“All flying colors,” Tocchet said. “That’s why the doctors (signed off). We wanted to make sure his numbers were strong. He’s ready to go.
“I relied on him a lot (at the start of the year). But I also have to be careful too.”
The coach said the rest of the players on the ice were “buzzing” at the morning skate. First they get powerhouse Porter Martone right out of Michigan State on Tuesday night at Washington and now they get one of their more accomplished scorers in Foerster.
“He’s a big part of our team,” Tocchet said. Mindful of scratches, including Garnet Hathaway and Alex Bump, the coach said it’s all about putting the best possible team on the ice for these meaningful games.
“That’s good and bad for them but it breeds competition,” Tocchet said. “Put puzzles together. And who can complement whoever. Those are tough decisions but they’re decisions that you have to make. But I love the competition. It makes people play with more urgency.”
With the Flyers playing eight games in 13 days, having depth is actually a bit of a luxury.
“A guy like Bump, he’s not coming out because he’s playing bad,” Tocchet said. “It’s just a numbers game. Lehigh (the Flyers’ AHL affiliate) is fighting for a playoff spot, too. So it’s kind of great for the organization, where we have this depth and where we’re using them.”
>Martone report card
Martone made his debut on Tuesday night in D.C. and Tocchet sounded satisfied with his effort.
“As the game went on he felt comfortable,” the coach said. “He really had three or four chances in front of the net. He’s like Tyson, they know how to get position to get the shot off. They’re greasy (adept in close) but they can also make skilled plays. For him, all I want him to do is relax.”
>Goaltender decisions
Tocchet decided to go back to goaltender Sam Ersson for the Red Wings game. Ersson entered the game 5-0-0 since Jan. 29.
Meanwhile, Dan Vladar allowed five goals in the Capitals game.
“He (Vladar) has been a rock for us,” Tocchet said. “Each guy’s got to play, each game is equally important.”
The Flyers get right back into action on Friday night at Long Island so it’s a safe bet Vladar will get that start. Starting Ersson vs. Detroit gives Vladar an extra day of rest.
“I mean ‘Ers’ has been running hot,” Tocchet said. “I mean it’s really an easy decision for me.”
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