The Philadelphia Flyers have placed Ryan Fitzgerald on waivers, suggesting he is ready to return to action after spending the entire year to this point on season-opening injured reserve. In addition, the team has made another interesting transaction, loaning Tyson Foerster back to the Barrie Colts of the OHL.
Foerster, 20, was one of the handful of young players allowed to spend this season in the AHL even when he would have normally been ineligible, because of the number of minor league games he played in 2020-21. Unfortunately, just a few weeks into the season he suffered a shoulder injury that has limited him to just nine games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. His loan back to Barrie is a good sign that he’s ready to return and try to help the Colts chase down a playoff spot over the next few weeks.
Fitzgerald meanwhile is a player who would have normally been waived prior to the season, as his one-year, two-way contract was never supposed to make him a regular on the Flyers roster. In fact, the 27-year-old forward is still waiting for his first taste of NHL action, now five years into his professional career. Originally selected 120th overall by the Boston Bruins in 2013, Fitzgerald had 21 points in 28 games for the Phantoms last season and should provide a nice veteran boost to the group once he’s back up to speed. Given his injury history and inexperience, it is unlikely that Fitzgerald is claimed.