With news that Tyson Foerster won’t be available for quite a while, the Philadelphia Flyers called up forward Carl Grundstrom from Lehigh Valley Tuesday evening.
Transaction: We have recalled forward Carl Grundstrom from the @LVPhantoms (AHL). pic.twitter.com/kVoFMfpslj
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 2, 2025
Grundstrom, who just turned 28 on Monday, has one game under his belt this season as a Flyer. He played 10:17 in a 3-2 overtime loss to Ottawa back on Nov. 6. He didn’t register a point and had zero shots on goal. He was used on the fourth line during that contest.
In Lehigh Valley, Grundstrom — who was acquired by Philadelphia in the deal that sent Ryan Ellis on his contract off to San Jose — has been excelling. In 19 games thus far he has six goals and nine assists for 15 points. He’s also a +5 in terms of plus/minus. In short, he’s been a good addition to the Phantoms and seems to be fitting in quite nicely.
Bringing up Grundstrom to the lineup could leave Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet and his staff with a few options as to how to address the hole Foerster’s absence has in the lineup. It’s probably more reasonable to believe that Grundstrom will be placed on the fourth line with Rodrigo Abols and Garnet Hathaway to see if he can give the line a bit more oomph or punch after what has been an extremely subpar line 25 games into the season. He probably won’t be lighting the lamp a lot, but a new combination could give the line some chemistry or synergy heading into a very busy December with 14 games remaining.
By slotting Grundstrom in on the fourth line, it’s quite conceivable that the Flyers give Nikita Grebenkin a look on a line with Noah Cates and Travis Konecny. That’s assuming with Foerster’s absence Tocchet doesn’t throw all the lines into a blender and try to find new mix. Grebenkin — who was acquired as part of the trade that sent Scott Laughton off to Toronto — is a rather rugged forward who is good down low, can protect the puck and is hard to play against in the corners. In 16 games with Philadelphia, Grebenkin has a goal and two assists, one of which came in his first game as a Flyer against Carolina on Oct. 11. He also had an assist against his former club in a 5-2 loss to Toronto Nov. 1. His first goal of the season came in a 5-4 shootout win against the Canadiens.
Unless Tocchet decides to use Nic Deslauriers against Buffalo Wednesday night at home, look for Grundstrom to be on the fourth line and Grebenkin further up in the lineup. We’re not sure how long Grebenkin will last in the top six or middle six of forwards, but he should have a great opportunity to showcase what he can do with more talented and skilled linemates.