Its truly amazing to watch Tocchet ruin the only potential superstar on the roster. Is this why they hired him? Where is the GM and Prez on this? Helloooo. Anybody home? Tank baby tank. Maybe they can draft another potential superstar if they get a top five pick, that Tocchet can also ruin. Comcast has the money, fire this guy, now.

I know the Flyers are trying to balance “win now” with “long term plan”, but right now, as far as the coaching goes, it very much looks like “win now and damn the long term consequences”.

For all the hate that Torts got, you could see that he was trying to develop the players (whether you agreed with the approach or not was a different story).

With Tocchet, is there really any development happening? WHY isnt Michkov learning/improving? I dont buy that Michkov isnt interested in learning/improving – the guy thrived under Torts’ tough love and seems to be very highly motivated to excel. I understand that simply throwing a player out there to get buried isnt the way to develop him – but nearly 3/4th of the way through the season, I find it mystifying that none of those areas allegedly holding Michkov back from getting late game minutes have been fixed.

I don’t understand the purpose of Hathaway and Deslauriers . Will they be gone after the Olympic break ? One can only hope 🤷‍♂️

This is not the Matvei Michkov show, but his usage is absurd. The fact that he is held to a different standard is absurd. Tocchet has a track record of doing this to young, skilled forwards that do not acquiesce to his style of play, regardless of what got them into the league. It’s painfully apparent they have a problem here, that the fans have noticed, and that in all likelihood it is not going to improve.

Tocch should have never been hired. Hak has a better winning percentage FFS.

This org continues to make the same mistakes over and over again.

I think it is very fair based on this seemingly endless streak of losses and bad efforts if Tocchet makes it out of his first year with the Flyers. He and his staff just don’t inspire confidence that they can figure out how to best use whatever talent on the roster they have to work with. This entire organization just seems to be a boat with a broken ruddrer. We just keep on going in circles. Play the kids, they certainly can’t do any worse, bring up the outstanding performers, bence or trade or buyout the dead weight on the roster.

Charlie,

Just random thoughts

“Tocchet just doesn’t trust the kid yet” We are halfway through the season. When will trust occur? My brain says “he will never trust the kid” . His Vancouver “issues” with Pettersen keeping popping into my brain

Is there a point when Briere asks Tocchet why are we always behind from the start of game?
If this was the NFL the question would be why doesn’t the coach have this team ready to play from the opening kickoff because it sure seems that way to me.

Tocc was a bad hire. Full Stop. Torts’ shelf life had expired, but he was developing players and Brad Shaw was pulling miracles. Michkov needs to go back to RW and just play. Maybe we lose 7-6 instead of 7-2, but when goal scorers score they gain confidence. Sitting on the bench does nothing for them. At this rate, I would not be surprised if Michkov pulls a Cutter and bolts for greener pastures or goes home to Mother Russia and waits for his rights to be traded.

Charlie, why, other than lacking enough talent, are we so bad at 3×3? And, why does it seem that despite Tocc proclaiming that he is not trying to turn Michkov into a mucker and grinder, that is exactly what it looks like? I doubt that we trade him, but I think that Risto would bring something back and I would do that without hesitation.

Great game write up, Charlie, especially the Michkov section which was appreciated! I couldn’t have said it better this better myself: “Fans are getting the worst of both worlds: demoralizing losses, and low ice time totals for the players that they’re most excited to watch, with Michkov obviously at the top of the list.” – this sums up the last few weeks, excruciating. I also agree that the Flyer’s video team deserves major recognition for their great work! I saw a feature on them and they are locked in every game.

By all appearances the hiring of Tocchet may be a mistake of significant proportions. Are the Flyers an organization that will eat 4 years of a contract?

Hi Charlie – I just wanted to drop in and thank you for your great work when writing about a brutal team. I am frustrated on your behalf that so many idiotic Flyers fans take out their anger on the team’s decade of boring mediocrity on you on Twitter. You are the only good reporter covering this team. Thank you again.