There is no question that Rick Tocchet is the right coach for the Philadelphia Flyers. The team is young and has several rising stars who need a level-headed, paternal figure behind the bench.
Beyond the evident teaching of the game that coaches engage in with their younger players, there is one crucial aspect to keep in mind: The NHL season is a grind.
Playing 84 regular-season games over a roughly six-month period is hardly easy. NHLers have to be truly elite athletes to withstand the grind, and that generally means playing when “gassed.”
That’s precisely what Tocchet is trying his best to instill in his team.
Tuesday night’s 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in preseason action was a good example of that grind. The Flyers played 40 solid minutes of hockey before falling apart in the third period. Sure, it didn’t help losing Dan Vladar in the first period, but that’s exactly what this entire discussion is about. There is a need to understand that there are times when you just need to go out and suck it up.
“Unfortunately, Murch got in the face so he was out in the first period, so we had to go with five, which was tough, and I think it kind of gassed some guys in the third, back-to-back, most of the team played yesterday, so I could feel the fatigue and the mental mistakes. It’s like I said, keep grinding through this.”
Hear from head coach Rick Tocchet and forwards Jacob Gaucher and Owen Tippett following Tuesday's preseason loss in Boston. #PHIvsBOS
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 23, 2026
Tocchet’s post-game comments encapsulated the idea. Championship teams are the ones that learn to grind through the toughest parts of the schedule.
With the way things are shaping up in the Metro Division, the Flyers will need to do their share of grinding to ensure they lock up a playoff spot again this season.
Flyers can’t take anything for granted this season
As far as rebuilds go, the Flyers are way ahead of schedule. When you look at how long it took Buffalo to get back to the postseason and the mess in Detroit, Flyers fans should feel confident in the team emerging from the relatively brief roster reconstruction.
And that’s why the club can’t take anything for granted this season. Last year was a phenomenal season. But that’s just a first step towards the ultimate goal of competing for a championship. While there are great pieces on the roster and in the pipeline, the club can’t sit back and assume the grind is behind them.
That’s why Tocchet’s comments really hit home.
Philly learned a sour lesson on Tuesday night. But that’s par for the course in the NHL. Playing tired is just one ingredient of a championship. Hitting the ice hurt, dinged up, and often drained can be the difference between just making the playoffs and going all the way.
There is still a long way to go as the 2026-27 grind is just starting.
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