It doesn't seem particularly likely that the Philadelphia Flyers are going to move on from Rick Tocchet anytime soon. There is also plenty of debate among Flyers fans about whether another coaching change is really what this team needs. The organization has gone through enough coaches over the years, and at some point, the players need to start putting things together on the ice.
However, there are some reasons to question whether Tocchet is the right person to get this group where it needs to be. This has been something that has followed him around, and we don't have to go very far back to look for a recent example. He has had a nearly similar experience with the Flyers as he did with the Vancouver Canucks, and that is raising some concerns amongst the fan base.
Tocchet's time in Vancouver raises some concerns
When Tocchet first arrived in Vancouver, the Canucks were a very good team. They had a strong season and got plenty of production from their top players, like Elias Pettersson. However, things started to look different after that first season; with the team struggling, the top stars had a harder time producing, the big one was Pettersson. There is something about Tocchet’s coaching style that makes it hard for offensive stars to flourish for long periods of time under him.
There are some similarities to what is happening in Philadelphia. The Flyers have plenty of talented players, but their top offensive guys aren't producing nearly as much as they should. Matvei Michkov has been one of the exceptions, but there are still questions about how Tocchet has treated him during his time as head coach. It seems that no matter how much he scores, if he makes a mistake, he is punished, which again is very similar to what happened in Vancouver with Pettersson.
That doesn't mean Tocchet is solely responsible for everything going wrong. The players have to take some responsibility, too. However, when you start seeing similar issues with two different teams, it's fair to wonder if a different coaching approach might be needed, especially for a young, skilled, offensively minded team like the Flyers.
Woodcroft & Knoblauch could be worth a look
If the Flyers eventually decide to make a coaching change, there are two names they should consider. Jay Woodcroft and Kris Knoblauch both have experience with the Edmonton Oilers, where they worked with some of the league's most talented offensive players.
Woodcroft has experience developing players and getting the most out of a skilled roster. Knoblauch has also shown an ability to make lineup adjustments to get the most out of his highly skilled forwards. Both could bring something different to Philadelphia, particularly when it comes to getting more out of the team's offensive talent.
The Flyers need someone who can help their younger players develop while also finding ways to get more consistent production from the top of the lineup. Which for Philadelphia is a unique situation because their young players are the top of their lineup. However, both Knoblauch and Woodcroft bring a more offensive mindset to their team while also stressing the importance of strong two-way hockey. A coaching style that would seem to fit better with this Flyers team, rather than a hard-nosed, forechecking team that Tocchet likes.
Briere needs to consider changes before he is out of a job
It is a catch-22; the Flyers have all the skill in the world, but something isn’t working that worked last season. Maybe it is the fact that Danny Briere only focused his attention on an offer sheet that blew up the entire NHL salary cap landscape. Or, maybe it is the fact that there was no real change to the overall roster other than bringing on Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit, while other teams around the NHL made tons of changes.
Regardless, one thing is clear: the Flyers have a serious issue on their hands, and if they don’t figure it out soon, this team and basement dweller are going to be synonyms with each other. Then Brirer is going to be forced to make changes if he still has a job. So, he needs to take all options into consideration, and if that is a major roster shake-up or a coaching change, it needs to be done and fast, or the Flyers’ season is not going to get better.
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