The Philadelphia Flyers shocked the world last year when they made it to the second round of the playoffs. The team banked on their young players to help them build a sustainable contending team, and fans got to see first hand what they could do in their first playoff trip. Now, fans are wondering how they will follow it up.
Head coach Rick Tocchet hasd the spotlight on him to see what he can do to help the team make it past the second round and into the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2010. One area of the roster that will be discussed is center. The team notably swung and missed on Leo Carlsson to address their first-line center need. With that, the team will rely on Trevor Zegras taking on increassed playing time in the middle of a line. But they still need depth at the center position, and need to figure out how to fill it.
During an interview with The Athletic's Kevin Kurz, Tocchet said he is open to giving Denver Barkey some opportunities at center.
Rick Tocchet opens door for Denver Barkey receiving center opportunities with Flyers
"I thought Barks did a nice job (at center). It’s not like he was hemmed in. Do I think he can be a centerman? Yeah, I do," said Tocchet. "We’ve got to figure out spots. It’s a puzzle. But it’s nice as a coach when you have four, five or six options to play center. Now we have a guy that can play center; it does add to the options that I have."
Let's face it, in the offseason, there weren't many enticing center options in free agency. Hence why Briere opted to go the offer sheet route to try and get Carlsson away from the Ducks. After that move failed to transpire, Briere decided to end his pursuit and bank on his current roster. Obviously, this would be a risk viewed by those externally. However, it has become evident that Tocchet and Briere are both confident in the roster, especially with their younger players.
For Barkey, he received, albeit, minimal time at center in the regular season. But in the team's second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tocchet opted to give Barkey a chance at center, and he held his own against the eventual Stanley Cup champions. He may not be the prototypical hockey size at 5-foot-10, 171-pounds, but that could work to his advantage if given expanded time at center. Look at Vincent Trocheck, who was under six feet tall, but became one of the top face-off winners in the game.
Let's not forget, Barkey was originally a center when he played for the London Knights in the OHL. So, it's not like it's going to be new territory for Barkey, and he won't have a ton of homework to do to get comfortable at the position if Tocchet opts to give him some opportunities at center.
Flyers are relying on the youth movement entering 2026-27 season
Barkey is not the only young player expected to be relied on heavily heading into next season.
There's Porter Martone, who took Philadelphia by storm with his late season debut, notching 10 points in the final nine game to help the Flyers make the playoffs. Now, fans are looking forward to see what he can do with a full season's-worth of games. Not to mention, he is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy, which would be the first for a Flyers rookie.
Then, there's Matvei Michkov. After a disappointing sophomore season in which he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs and in Tocchet's dog house, Michkov had a rigorous offseason training program to ensure he was ready to take a leap forward in his third year. There's a lot on the line for him, as the Flyers are waiting to see if he can be a key piece of their future, and if he's deserving of a contract extension.
Now add zbbarkey to the mix, where he may or ay not earn some opportunities in the middle of the line. Either way, he should still be a factor on the team, whether it's at center or on the wing.
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