Nolan Foote is headed to Philadelphia, giving Rick Tocchet another depth forward to evaluate when Flyers training camp opens.
The Flyers signed Foote to a one-year, two-way contract carrying an $850,000 NHL cap hit. The deal gives Philadelphia another experienced option without locking a roster spot into place.
Foote arrives after spending last season in the Florida Panthers organization, splitting his time between Florida and the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. He appeared in 12 NHL games and scored 1 goal.
His production was stronger in the AHL. Foote finished with 14 goals and 32 points in 54 games, showing he can provide offense when placed in a larger role.
Philadelphia can afford to make this type of depth bet. The Flyers finished last season 43-27-12, and internal competition should remain strong after a year that kept them in the playoff race.
Foote won't arrive with anything guaranteed. His first job will be forcing Tocchet and the coaching staff to keep looking his way once camp battles begin.
Nolan Foote gets another NHL opportunity
The 2019 first-round pick has spent years trying to turn his size and scoring touch into a permanent NHL role. Tampa Bay selected him 27th overall before his rights eventually moved to New Jersey.
Foote has appeared in 42 NHL games over his career, producing 10 points between the Devils and Panthers. That track record puts him firmly in competition for a bottom-six job rather than an automatic place in the lineup.
The more likely path could run through the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. A strong start there would give Philadelphia an experienced call-up option when injuries, lineup changes or poor stretches create openings.
That matters because Tocchet now has another forward capable of pushing players already fighting for jobs. Foote's contract gives the Flyers flexibility to move him between levels depending on performance and roster needs.
For Foote, the opportunity is straightforward. He needs to make this camp difficult for Philadelphia's decision-makers.
And for the Flyers, there's little downside in finding out whether a former first-rounder still has another NHL push left in him.
Will Nolan Foote earn a regular spot with the Flyers?
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