When the Philadelphia Flyers hired Rick Tocchet this past offseason, it seemed like something destined to happen. For months, the chatter had been that Tocchet wanted to bolt from Vancouver and head to Philly. While things didn’t quite work out that way, the fact is things fell in the Flyers’ favor.
The Canucks tried their best to hold onto Tocchet. After all, Tocchet was one year removed from winning the Jack Adams Award as the league’s best coach. But a sour season in Vancouver last year prompted Tocchet to reinvent himself in Philadelphia.
That reinvention has the Flyers in a playoff spot. Tocchet’s arrival proved that the lineup had the potential to contend in the jam-packed Metro Division. The turnaround has been so substantial that Tocchet could be etching his name in the Jack Adams competition this year. The veteran coach’s influence has been undeniable to the point that even the club’s evident imperfections have not kept it from contending.
Sure, Tocchet has dealt with adversity in his first year with the Flyers. TheEgor Zamula drama was a good example. The Russian blueliner didn’t fit Tocchet’s plans, leading to an unsavory incident. Still, the club had Tocchet's back.
Injuries have also played a substantial role. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has missed significant time. The recent injury to Tyson Foerster hasn’t helped matters, either.
Then, there’s the Matvei Michkov situation. The Flyers’ rising star hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. But it’s been Tocchet’s handling of the situation that’s sparked positive feedback around the league.
Overall, Tocchet’s influence on the Flyers is unquestionable. Even if the Flyers fall short of a playoff spot, the first-year coach should garner plenty of votes for this season's Jack Adams.
Rebuild could be over under Tocchet’s watch
One of the toughest things to call in the NHL is the end of a rebuild. The Flyers have undertaken a full-on rebuild for the last half-decade or so. That situation has led to several sour seasons, including a painful roster churn.
This season, however, Tocchet’s arrival could signal that the rebuild is over. While there’s no denying the Flyers remain a work in progress, Tocchet’s defensively responsible system has given the club the structure it has needed to succeed.
Unlike John Tortorella’s old-school grinding system, Tocchet has a more balanced approach that doesn’t wear players down. He’s been able to maximize players like Chrisitan Dvorak. Even purported problem child Trevor Zegras has found a decent foothold under Tocchet.
It may be somewhat premature to declare the rebuild completely over. But with the talent coming up the pipeline, plus some decent cap space, the Flyers could be in a position to redesign the Metro Division’s balance of power. With declining teams like the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, the Flyers could regain a place at the big boys’ table in the Eastern Conference. That’s a real possibility now that that Rick Tocchet has established the foundations of what could be a successful Flyers’ franchise for years to come.