Philadelphia Flyers regret their decision to hire ex-Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet
Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Flyers might be regretting their decision last May to bring in former Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet as the team's new Head Coach.
After parts of three seasons behind the bench with the Vancouver Canucks, Rick Tocchet decided to not seek a contract extension and left the organization as he returned to the Philadelphia Flyers, the franchise that drafted him in 1983 and played 621 games for.
They show up. I mean, I remember in the playoffs, them chanting people’s names. I haven’t really heard that much in other buildings. … You know that’s a passionate fan base when they’re screaming guys names out. That was impressive to me." Rick Tocchet said in his return to Rogers Arena last month.
Along with hiring Rick Tocchet, the Philadelphia Flyers made their fair share of moves in the offseason, headlined by the acquisition of Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks, but for some reason things just haven't worked out and the club sits ten points out of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference as of Saturday morning.
Philadelphia Flyers might be regretting decision to hire Rick Tocchet
In an article this week for Flyers Nation, Drew Wheeler shared his thoughts on where the club stands at the moment and whether or not Rick Tocchet is the right Head Coach for the team.
"If the numbers are this prominent against Tocchet this short into his tenure, one more bad season after this one could force the Flyers to fire yet another head coach in under three years. Rick Tocchet and his coaching style is still very old school, and it is similar to how all these past Flyers teams were expected to play over the previous 15 years." Wheeler said.
It's not easy to pinpoint exactly where things have gone wrong for the Philadelphia Flyers, as they were in a playoff spot nearly three weeks ago and at Christmas, sat two points back of the Carolina Hurricanes for first in the Metropolitan Division.
Philadelphia's new additions are leading the charge this season, with Trevor Zegras and Christian Dvorak sitting second and third, respectively, in team scoring, but if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they need more out of players like Sean Couturier.
A change behind the bench involving Rick Tocchet after just one season is hard to envision, however with the Flyers on the verge of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a sixth consecutive season, it can't be ruled out.
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Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily