The Flyers have removed Tyson Foerster from Injured Reserve while sending winger Carl Grundstrom down to Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League.
Earlier this afternoon, Philadelphia Flyers activated winger Tyson Foerster from the Injured Reserve while placing winger Carl Grundstrom back down to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Although earlier in the day during a post-practice presser, head coach Rick Tocchet said he wouldn’t confirm Foerster was a go against Edmonton, but said it seemed to be leaning in that direction. The Flyers will welcome Foerster back with open arms, perhaps nobody more than Noah Cates. And Bobby Brink. The Flyers’ arguably most consistent and effective line was broken up during the four games Foerster missed. Brink found himself on a line with Matvei Michkov while Cates saw himself with Travis Konecny among others. The Flyers went 2-1-1 without Foerster.
Foerster has four goals and three assists in 11 games this 2025-26 season. Two of those goals have been on the power play where he’s been fine on the unit with Cates, Brink, Trevor Zegras and Cam York. Meanwhile the winger has been performing quite well against some of the league’s best lines. And he’s one of the few Flyers who has managed to get at least one shot on goal every game he’s played this year while averaging just over 18 minutes ice time (18:18).
As for Grundstrom, the winger got into one game against Ottawa. Although not registering any points in 10:17 of ice time. The forward has done well in Lehigh Valley since he was acquired from San Jose in the trade that sent Ryan Ellis and his contract off to the West Coast. Grundstrom has three goals and three assists in 11 games with the Phantoms. Grundstrom could’ve seen a bit more action during Foerster’s absence but head coach Rick Tocchet decided to use Nic Deslauriers in games against Montreal and Nashville. Deslauriers fought in one of those two games against the Canadiens’ defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
“I’ve given everything to my game this season—leading Team USA in goals and stepping up in key moments. If I’m left off the Olympic roster, it’s a decision I’ll never understand. I’m not just a goal-scorer; I’ve worked hard to be a complete player, and I know I can make a difference on that stage.”
— Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens Forward
In a surprising turn of events, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this week that Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens is not expected to be a part of Team USA’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Despite Caufield leading the U.S. team in goals with 12 goals in just 16 games this season, many—including hockey analyst Simon “the Snake” Boisvert—are scratching their heads over why USA Hockey would leave him out.
Boisvert, a guest on the Le Sick Podcast this Wednesday with Tony Marinaro, voiced his surprise over LeBrun’s report, questioning why Team USA wouldn’t consider Caufield for the Olympic roster. Boisvert pointed out that, for a tournament like the Olympics, it’s not about veteran experience for a fourth-line role—it’s about showcasing skill. He argued that USA Hockey will face teams far weaker than themselves and won’t need veteran presences like Brock Nelson or Chris Kreider, who are more experienced but lack the scoring ability of Caufield.
Caufield’s Scoring Prowess and Olympic Worth
Looking at Boisvert’s logic, it’s hard to fathom how Caufield wouldn’t be included in the top 13 forwards for Team USA. Any country would welcome a pure goal-scorer like him for an event like the Olympics. While Caufield’s penalty-kill performance may not be stellar, he’s proven himself as an elite scorer, particularly in power-play situations and overtime. The fact that Team USA lost in overtime at the Four Nations Tournament highlights how crucial Caufield’s scoring ability could be in such critical moments.
With the likelihood of one or two overtime games during the Olympic qualifiers, Caufield could be the difference-maker. He leads the NHL in overtime wins this season, with three. His ability to deliver when the pressure’s on could make him an invaluable asset to Team USA.
The Missed Opportunity for Team USA
While nothing about LeBrun’s report is confirmed, the credibility of the source suggests it may hold weight. LeBrun explained that Team USA could not find a spot for Caufield in their top six forwards, which is why they’re opting to leave him off the roster. However, considering Caufield’s impact on the game and his versatility, many believe this decision doesn’t reflect what’s best for the team, especially in a tournament like the Olympics where skill takes precedence.
A Silver Lining for Canada
For those rooting for Team Canada, this could be seen as a fortunate development. With Caufield potentially out of the picture, Canada gains an edge, knowing that Team USA will miss one of its most potent goal-scoring threats. But for Montreal Canadiens fans, this is a bitter pill to swallow. As much as the news may benefit Canada, it’s disappointing for those who hoped to see Caufield shine on the Olympic stage.
A Crucial Decision for USA Hockey
Whether or not Team USA ultimately decides to leave Caufield off the roster remains to be seen, but the discussion is already sparking a lot of debate. Will Caufield get a chance to represent Team USA, or will this be a missed opportunity for one of the league’s most prolific goal-scorers? With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan fast approaching, we’ll have to wait and see if the U.S. makes the right call.