Last week we previewed the depth options within the Flyers forward corps, both veteran and up-and-coming. As we move closer to the start of the 2026-27 Flyers season, we start to take a look at the core of the team. Today we have a trio of young(er) core forwards in Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett, and Noah Cates. All three players showed flashes of offensive breakouts last year, and all three suffered injuries of varying degrees. Can we expect them all to build on last season? Could their injuries linger and hamper their upcoming season? Let’s take a look.
Tyson Foerster
What did we see from Foerster last season?
Well, we saw less of Foerster than we would’ve liked in the 2025-26 season. He started the year on a tear, scoring 10 goals and 13 points in 21 games. It looked like he was on track to finally have his breakout offensive season, as he was racking up goals with relative ease. But the hot start was promptly extinguished on December 1 when he suffered a shoulder injury in a game against the Penguins. He was given a five-month timetable to recover, which sounded like the end of his season. He was on-pace for roughly 33 goals at the time of his injury.
But Foerster returned quicker than anyone expected, drawing back into the Flyers lineup just four months later on April 2 amidst the Flyers playoff push. He scored four points in the final eight regular season games, but the adrenaline of returning quickly wore off by the playoffs, where scored only one goal in 10 playoff games. For as exciting as it was to see Foerster return and show that he had already recovered, his 2025-26 campaign is ultimately marked by what could have been after such a promising start.
What type of role do we expect Foerster to play this season?
Fair or not, we’re expecting Foerster to repeat the start he had last season. This will be his fourth full season as an NHLer and if last season was any indication, his shot has leveled-up and now it’s just a matter of staying healthy. While Foerster is hardly “injury-prone”, everyone will be watching to see that he makes it through the 2026-27 season with minimal injury issues — especially with his shoulder. Could this finally be his breakout season? It’s safe to say that fans and the front office believe it’ll come sooner or later with Foerster.
That belief from the front office was made crystal clear in the off-season when they signed Foerster to an eight-year contract extension, carrying an AAV of $7.1 million that doesn’t kick in until the 2027-28 season. Foerster has yet to crack 30 goals, but it’s safe to say the team believes in him wholeheartedly. It’s not a matter of if Foerster levels up his game, but when, and he should have ample opportunity this season.
While the lineup isn’t locked in just yet, Foerster will undoubtedly get a lot of time in the Flyers’ top six this season. On top of that, there are some legitimate linemate options (Trevor Zegras at center, Calder-favorite Porter Martone, and a rejuvenated Matvei Michkov) that could fuel a productive season for Foerster. Even with the Flyers front office and coaching staff warning players that no one’s guaranteed time on special teams, it’s hard to imagine Foerster won’t end up playing both the penalty kill and power play.
Owen Tippett
What did we see from Tippett last season?
Owen Tippett’s 2025-26 season was a return-to-form following a disappointing season the year prior. Tippett tied his career-high of 28 goals and broke the 50-point barrier for the second time in his career. But a return-to-form also came with something that’s typified his career thus far: inconsistency. There were stretches where Tippett looked dominant, and games where he looked like one of the best players in the league. But there were also stretches where he seemed to disappear or disengage, such as this early-season offside that cost the Flyers two points and was a bit of a turning point for Tippett.
If there was any player who most benefitted from Rick Tocchet’s coaching last year, there’s a case to be made that Owen Tippett is that player. Tocchet specifically called out a lack of focus on an early-season offside call, and Tippett went out and scored 12 points in the next 10 games. From that point of the season, Tippett seemed more engaged on a game-to-game basis and played like a man with purpose during the Flyers playoff push. But Tippett’s season was cut a tad short, as he missed the entirety of the second-round playoff series against Carolina due to internal bleeding.
What type of role do we expect Tippett to play this season?
The optimist would want to dream on Tippett finally embracing his role and full potential as a power forward. It sure seems like it finally clicked in his brain during last season’s playoff push. But there is a looming specter that may give worry for Tippett in 2026-27: the dreaded core injury. Tippett ended up having to get a sports hernia surgery over the summer, though at the start of training camp he said he’s 100% healthy. Even if that’s the case, we’ve seen our fair share of core surgeries over the past decade and if there’s one thing that’s common with core surgeries it is that they’re unpredictable. And for a player who relies so much on his speed, it’s something to keep an eye on throughout the season.
Injury aside, this is a fascinating season for Tippett. Can Tippett channel how he played down the stretch last season and sustain it for a whole season? What about consistently? It seems like Rick Tocchet and the coaching staff are getting through to him. Will he lean fully into the role of a power forward? Last year, Tocchet envisioned that Tippett could “be that big guy in front [who could] tip pucks [and] jump in on loose pucks.” Do coach and player make a concerted effort to add this element to his game? The power play sure needs a different look. And hey, let’s say the core injury flares up here and there? Sounds like a good opportunity to add to and adapt his game.
Noah Cates
What did we see from Cates last season?
In case you forgot, Noah Cates had a career year last year (18 goals, 47 points). Oh and you know, he also put in another season being one of the best defensive forwards in the entire league at the same time. How good was Cates defensively? According to Evolving Hockey’s RAPM model, Cates ranked as the second-best forward in the league in xGA/60 impact at even strength. (Oh and he’s top 10 in that stat if you combine the past three seasons). The guy is elite.
He spent a good amount of his 2025-26 season with Matvei Michkov on his wing, which certainly helped boost Cates’ offensive numbers (even if Michkov was having an off year). Cates was yet another player who surged post-Olympics, scoring 21 points in the Flyers’ final 26 games of the regular season.
In short, Cates had a phenomenal year. In the playoffs, Cates had four points in eight games before missing the final two games of the second round against Carolina with a fractured foot. He even factored into the series-clinching goal in the first round of the playoffs, winning a key offensive-zone faceoff (not exactly Cates’ forte).
What type of role do we expect Cates to play this season?
It’s safe to expect Cates to play a defensively strong game in the bottom six, and tally at least 30 points. That’s the floor. Whether he does that at center or wing, that’s the question. I’d say the safe bet is that he sticks at center, but this is the first time in years that the Flyers do have more center options than there are spots. Sure, he’s not great at faceoffs, but he was up above 45% last season (fine with me!) and he’s more proven as an NHL center than Denver Barkey.
Cates’ defensive play feels automatic at this point, but his offensive game leaves you wondering. Can he repeat 45-50 points again this season? He’ll surely have a lot of talented winger options: Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey. Cates certainly doesn’t need to be a 50-point center to have a big impact on the ice, but if that becomes his new normal? That guy can play on my team any day (especially considering he’s got three years left on his contract at $4 million per year). As for any question about his foot injury in the playoffs? He didn’t need surgery and there hasn’t been any cause for concern in camp. (fingers crossed)
