Instant reactions: Rick Tocchet’s Flyers TERRIBLE on NHL Trade Deadline Eve

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I’ve made a point to limit my criticism of Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet this season, because after years of blaming Peter Laviolette and Craig Berube and Dave Hakstol and Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella, and even Torts’ assistant(s), I’m over it.

But the Flyers are boring. They’re capable of the exciting comeback in the third, and if Trevor Zegras gets a shootout attempt, that’s fun. But on a nightly basis, this low-event hockey is an arduous viewing experience. At least blocking a ton of shots in hopes of creating odd-man rushes was entertaining sometimes in the final two seasons under Torts. Am I really nostalgic for those teams? Damn. This game really stunk.

Trying for their first four-game winning streak of the season, and first since a four-gamer in the first couple of weeks of February 2024 (capped by a win over an Arizona Coyotes franchise that no longer exists), the Orange & Black played some of their least inspired hockey of the year, registering four shots in the first, seven in the second, and generating maybe three or four legitimate chances in the first 40 minutes.

While the Flyers are fairly adept at late-game comebacks to force overtime, the third didn’t go any better for Philly this time, as they managed only five shots on goal, tying their season-low of 16 for the game. Just an absolutely abysmal game for the home team.

First period

Highlight: Owen Tippett got the first shot on goal of the game just four seconds into the first period, and then the Flyers didn’t get a second until Jamie Drysdale teed one up with 5:30 left in the period during a delayed penalty call against Utah. In the meantime, Philly iced the puck a bunch of times and missed or mishandled basically every pass they attempted. On that power play, the Flyers didn’t do a damn thing, failing to record a shot on goal. It’s not as if the Mammoth have done much either, registering four SOG through 18+ minutes. But the highlight of the period was an incredible glove save by Vitek Vanecek, robbing Bobby Brink on the door step, following up a slap shot from the point by Noah Juulsen. It may have been the first time Jim Jackson’s voice registered excitement in the period. In the final 90-or-so seconds, the Flyers showed signs of life, with Denver Barkey also recording a shot against Vanecek, tying the shot battle at four apiece with 1:15 left in the period.

What I want to see next period: Literally anything. There were just eight total shots on goal, and not a whole lot else going on. But really, the on-ice isn’t nearly as important as the front office’s action tonight. If Rasmus Ristolainen doesn’t come out for the second because Danny Briere has traded him, I’m more than ok with that being tonight’s only highlight.

Second period

Highlight: I gotta be honest, I’m more interested in checking Twitter for trade news and rumors than watching this game, which is quite boring. Vitek Vanecek is making his first appearance since January 27th, and the Flyers have attempted to take advantage of this .884 goaltender by lulling him to sleep in hopes of a big third period, it seems. Through 40 minutes, Philadelphia has hit the journeyman backup with 11 shots, putting none behind him. Utah hasn’t exactly looked like 80s Oilers, but they have managed to score a pair of goals in the middle period. Nick Schmaltz netted his 24th of the year on the power play in the first 1:40 of the stanza, and Clayton Keller tallied #19 on a mini-breakaway opportunity thanks to a pass off the wall from Dylan Guenther.

What I want to see next period: Honestly? Just lose. The Flyers have not earned a loser point with their effort in the first 40 minutes, and it would be cool to see Utah in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But if Risto is traded mid-period and he’s pulled off the bench, that would be the most exciting thing that could happen. It doesn’t even have to be Ristolainen. Brink. Owen Tippett. Nic Deslauriers. Carl Grundstrom. MAKE SOME DEALS, DANNY!

Third period

Highlight: LOL!

With 1:30 left in the period the Flyers trail 3-0 after allowing an empty net goal, and have only notched 16 shots on goal. This was an embarrassment.

Final note: Perhaps, based on their effort tonight, and the losing streak that almost immediately followed the Christian Dvorak extension, the players are telling Danny Briere, loudly, they know the rebuild should be nowhere near over, and the general manager needs to really get to work before 3PM Friday.

Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame