With a year to go on his contract, Tyson Foerster could have played the 2026-27 season and waited to see if a healthy go-round would improve his bargaining power.
Unnecessary, the Flyers’ 24-year-old talented winger revealed in a media Zoom call on Monday.
When general manager Daniel Briere came calling recently with an eight-year, $56.8-million contract extension offer, Foerster’s only reaction was: “Where do I sign?”
The 2020 first-round (23rd overall) draft pick not only loves the team he’s playing for, the affection carries over to the whole Philadelphia area.
This, now, is home.
“For me, I love Philadelphia,” the 6-foot-two, 215-pound Foerster said. “And I love playing with these guys. They asked me if I looked to extend this year and it was a no-brainer. I don’t play hockey for the money. It’s all fun. I’m just happy to help for the next nine years.”
What made Philadelphia a long-term destination spot for Foerster?
“Everything about it,” Foerster said. “They picked me when I was young, went up in the ranks, Lehigh (Valley) first – just everything about it (Philadelphia), the fans, the city.
“It’s a great spot to play and I think we’re on the come-up. It’s super exciting. I’m happy to be here for hopefully the next nine years.”
Foerster broke in with the Flyers for the 2022-23 season. His second year produced 20 goals in 77 games and the following season he scored 25 goals in 81 games.
The Alliston, Ont. native then suffered an upper-body injury this past season which cost him 49 games. Still, he managed 13 goals in 29 games and was a plus-8.
Foerster was asked what sort of offseason work he will concentrate on to prepare for what hopefully will be a full, healthy season.
“Obviously keep working on my skating,” he said. “Everything overall. Hopefully work on my hands a little bit. I think my shot is pretty good from a decent ways out. I think if I can get in tighter around the net, get it upstairs quick enough. . .little things like that.”
The Flyers could certainly use that kind of help on the power play. The team has finished last in this crucial special teams area four of the last five NHL seasons. Foerster has produced a total of nine PP goals over the past two years so he should be able to help turn that number around.
Having seen the Flyers extend a five-year, $90-million offer sheet to Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson, Foerster knows Briere is committed to making his team a serious contender in a hurry.
The Ducks have until Friday to match the Flyers’ offer or Philadelphia can have Carlsson for four first-round draft picks through 2031.
“Danny, that’s one of the reasons I signed long-term here,” Foerster said. “You know he’s going to push to try to make us better. I’m kind of in the same boat as you guys (media) were, excited but waiting to see what’s going to happen.”
Foerster connected for only one goal in 10 playoff games last season. Clearly, he wasn’t fully himself yet. He’s hoping to change that number the next time around.
“I missed a long stretch there,” he conceded. “Right at the peak of the season, that’s where the grind really kicks in. I think the guys did a great job grinding through that.
“I came in at the end, I thought I started off pretty well. I was doing everything I could but I think it was more mental. You miss so much time and it’s like, ‘can I still do it? Can I still do it?’ I could still do it but it wasn’t the way I wanted it to be. So it was more mental.”
Although the Flyers ended a five-year playoff drought, they aren’t satisfied with how last season ended and neither is Foerster.
“We’re not satisfied with how last year went,” he said. “I think we got a taste and now, hopefully, next year we’re right back in it. Going farther and deeper.”
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