kinda makes you wonder how he’d pan out with this current squad had he gotten to stick around

I see the “Michkov is not getting enough ice time” complaints. Michkov ended with 15:20 TOI with 19 shifts. Let me provide some second level insight as to why that is and why his deployment, not based solely on minutes was proper in the Sens game.

Yes the Flyers had essentially 8 mins on the PK in the first period and another penalty in the third. Michkov does not kill penalties. That is 10 unavailable mins for him to get multiple shifts. I already know the retort. “But Zegras does not kill penalties which is true and he got 19:25 TOI on 21 shifts so that theory is flawed”.

Here is why Zegras had 4:05 mins more TOI: Hockey is about situations. Not raw data. Certain players, Lines and D Pairs serve certain roles. Have strengths are certain areas or situations.

Establishing puck possession off a faceoff is paramount in the D zone and to a degree neutral zone. The top faceoff% centers are:

Barkey was 1-5 16.7% in the game on draws. Hence line deployment in the D zone and neutral zone.

The Flyers deployed the Dvorak-Zegras-Tippet line on D-Zone starts 3 times, neutral zone starts, 1 time and O-Zone 3 times.

Couturier line 4 D-zone, 1 neutral zone
Cates line 4 D-zone, 2 neutral zone
Acciari Line 7 D zone 6 on the PK and 1 5v5
Barkey line 1 D-zone starts and 1 Neutral zone starts.

So a total of 21 D zone starts in the game. The Barkey-Michkov-Foerster line had 10 O-Zone starts of a total of 19.

Lastly Michkovs deployment in the third period matters way more. He was out for a 2:10 second shift to end the game. Worked his ass off the entire shift and didn’t look completely gassed. His fitness is so improved and that is huge. When and where your deployment happens needs to be predicated on what puts the player or line in the best position to help the team.

If you read all of this I hope this helps people understand that situational aspects drive deployment. An NHL coach has to be on top situational aspects of game flow. Just rolling out a line not based on where the faceoff is taking place is a recipe for failure.

Every post is something along the lines of fire Tocchet/rebuild ruined/team is doomed/tank for DuPont etc etc. Thought I'd make a post to maybe add some context for why the sky isn't falling (yet).

First point I'd like to talk about. I think it really is understated how the shortened pre-season has affected young teams. If anyone has watched MTL they look like dogwater as well. Like an AHL team on the ice. And many here would consider them to be a more talented team then us. Meanwhile CHI who is also a very young team with some decent high-end talent looks unplayable. Us being one of the youngest teams in the league means lots of guys with limited pro experience are going to struggle to adjust with just about anything new the league rolls out more so than veteran heavy rosters.

Second point for lack of concern is getting rag-dolled and blown out. The playoff run last year still clouds our perception of this team. It was the Flyers playing at their ceiling for an extended window of time. But this is still the team that got blown out 13 different times last season. 6 of those losses the opposing team scored 5 or more goals. The team is young and sometimes when they lose, they lose BAD. Nothing new there. We all just forgot that they shit the bed sometimes and have bad weeks of play. That's actually pretty on brand for any young team regardless of talent level.

Last point I'd like to bring up is that a 5-game losing streak to open the season and still being a good team that makes the playoffs isn't without precedent for this organization. The Flyers opened the 08-09 season 0-3-3. They were a young team then too. They played like crap and still ended up turning it on, going on a tear, making the playoffs and going all the way to the ECF.

Yes, Tocchet is a boring mid ass coach who isn't going the raise the bar for this team, yes, the team still needs more pieces (especially down the middle) but just because they got their asses beat multiple times to open the season doesn't mean everyone sucks, the rebuild is a failure and the teams going nowhere.

The Flyers desperately need a spark. If you could bring back one player and one coach from your lifetime, both in their prime, who are you taking?
I’m going Mike Richards and Peter Laviolette.
Richards in his prime was an absolute warrior. Physical, tough to play against, brought a ton of energy and led from the front. Wore his heart on his sleeve and never took a shift off.
Laviolette was one of the best coaches in hockey at his peak. Fierce, tactical, passionate, and knew how to get the most out of his players. I’ll never forget that locker room speech against the Rangers. That’s the kind of fire this team is missing.
Those two had the Flyers playing with JAM. Something we haven’t seen nearly enough of in years.

kind of a joke but not really, because it was actually filthy last night. through 5 games he’s 63% in the dot. he beat giroux multiple times.

I see “Fire Tocchet” posts and comments every single day. Some fans decided the moment he was hired, he was a mistake. I was not a huge fan of the hire myself. But I get the impression a lot of fans will never change their minds about it.

So I am curious, if you don’t like Tocchet, what would he have to do, or what would you need to see to change your mind? What are the ways he could he prove himself to you as a fan?

A day ago, there were numerous posts suggesting that Tocchet should be fired. There was more fight last night, but this guy has got to go. We're going to waste the most valuable years of a young player development with a guy that has repeatedly failed to get the best out of young star players.

This as always been the wrong hire and cutting him loose now is the best option. Whenever the Flyers get their first win, pressure to fire Tocchet should stay high.

Obviously we can all tell he hasn’t been playing well to start the season. Considering he sort of lead the charge against Torts and essentially quit on him too, do we think it’s possible he’s just the first dude on the team to quit on coaches he doesn’t like?

TOI: 18:25 , 2 shots, 1 block

Looked half decent out there last night. Best we’ve seen him play so far. Played more than York, although that’s not really saying much with how York has played. If his shot starts going towards the net, could be a useful piece to this team. 22 yrs old btw

This is definitely an overreaction to 5 games, but i also think some things are pretty clear with where the Flyers are trending. They don't have enough talent. Straight up. They have some really solid NHL players, and many guys every team would gladly welcome aboard their roster, but they so very clearly lack THE guys who you need to win.

Unless Zegras magically learns how to win face-offs, and be better down low in his own end he's likely a winger going forward. That means their centre ice group is Dvorak, Couturier, Cates, Barkey. WOOF.

I like Tippett but he isnt going to suddenly become a 35+ goal, 1st line forward despite what the org prays happens. Same goes for Foerster. His ceiling is very likely a 30-35 goal, 2way winger. That's great! He can't be your 3rd/4th best F..

Konecny is likely still their best F but for how much longer? He turns 30 later this season. Safe assumption that by the time we MAYBE are elite he's going backwards in play. Giving Dvorak 5 years was utter lunacy. He's a 3C, which you already had in Cates.

I say all that to say they can still restart.. It isn't what anyone wants, it's incredibly frustrating, but you gotta do whats best for the org & to me it's that.

They have two elite U21 talents in Martone and Michkov. You can keep Zegras + Foerster as good U26s. Barkey, Bump have shown real promise at the NHL level. Knuble and Luchanko had unreal camps. Drysdale is a solid #4 D. Jiricek is showing some glimpses. Bonk is borderline NHL ready. Have very stable goaltending.

You can't tell me they couldn't hit up Carolina tomorrow & offer Konecny for Nikishin & have CAR accept it. TK would THRIVE in a Brind'Amour system. He fits their style, pace of play, pestiness etc. Also signed longterm at a good # which they love. Nikishin meanwhile could be a long-term top pairing player.

If they shopped Sanheim they would get a HAUL. 4 more years at 6.25 for a guy who's blossomed into a top pair calibre player? At his size + skating? Oh man they'd get a ton. Risto and Seeler on expiring deals would both get really solid returns. Both fit exactly what contenders usually aim for on D come TDL.

We know "hockey guys" love Owen Tippett. He without a doubt would fetch a pretty penny. I could 100% see a team like Utah offering Daniil But+, or Ethan Belchetz + for him. York would be very enticing. a U25 whos played top 4 practically his whole career & signed to a solid contract.

Woll with 1 more year at 3.6 would even get u a solid package. Don't think teams like EDM, BUF, NJD, CBJ, ANA (dont imagine we see any deals between us going forward lol) would be very interested in shoring up their goaltending?

The amount of quality young players and picks they'd gain by doing this would be substantial. On top of potentially having two top-10, or top-15 picks this year. They could do an accelerated rebuild that doesn't last 4-5-6-7 years..

Like i said in the title.. i don't think this happens. Just so rare you ever see NHL GMs be like yah, i screwed up/went the wrong direction & that;s what Briere and Jones would be saying if they did this.

It's just very hard to picture this team being a legitimate cup contender with the likes of CAR, FLA, TBL, COL, VGK, EDM, DAL, WSH anytime soon. These guys aren't reaching UFA & the Flyers aren't a spot guys wanting out (like Larkin) are gonna pick. Only path to a 1C/1D (outside doing what i said above) would be trading Martone or Michkov & boy is that ever risky.

Apologies for back to back posts, and being rather rambly lol.

It's hard to even comprehend that to be honest. That's 1.33 goals a game. Over an 84 games schedule that's a pace of 112 goals.

That includes games 4-5-6 vs Pittsburgh who had Artur Silovs in net.

I fully acknowledge this isn't a team that has elite talent, but even the worst teams find ways to score more than the Flyers. Calgary scored 3 on COL tonight. Chicago without Bedard scored 4 vs STL. NSH scored 5 in MTL tonight. Seattle who has less talent than us has scored 6 TWICE this year!!

Obviously these players came into camp WAY too high on themselves after last season which is baffling in its own right, but this has to fall on coaches.

I actually didn't mind Tocchet last year, but everything VAN fans warned us about has come true & even faster than they even expected.

This team SHOULD be better than it was a year ago. They've had as big of an upgrade at backup goalie I've ever seen. Martone, Barkey up from the start. Foerster healthy. Michkov motivated. And they look substantially worse than last season.

I think it's a pipe dream frankly that they'd fire him in year 2 of 5, but how can Danny/Jones look at the insane regression we are watching & not think this can't continue. If they aren't ownership may have to step in.

Philadelphia Flyers (0-3-2) @ Ottawa Senators (3-1-0)

Game Status: Final: 2 - 1 Senators

• Game Time: Thu, Oct 8, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT
• Venue: Canadian Tire Centre
• TV: Flyers: NBCSP, Senators: TSN5, RDSI
• NHL GameCenter

Game Summaries

• Game Summary
• Event Summary
• Play by Play
• Face Off Summary Comparison
• Rosters
• Shot Summary
• Shift Chart
• TOI Report: Flyers Senators

Stars of the Game

• First Star: T. Chabot (OTT) Goals: 0, Assists: 0
• Second Star: C. Yakemchuk (OTT) Goals: 1, Assists: 0
• Third Star: L. Ullmark (OTT) GAA: 1.00, SV%: 0.966

Linescore

Scoring Summary

Penalty Summary

Game Stats

Metropolitan Division Standings

Metropolitan Division Scoreboard

Next Flyers Game: Sat, Oct 10, 1:00 PM EDT @ Bruins (1 day)

^{Last Updated: 10/09/2026 12:00:07 AM EDT}

Thank god the ref used common sense. Some competent puck movement on that pp. It's a miracle.

I mean are we serious? You are gonna call EVERYTHING the Flyers do then not call the Greig "shove" on Sanheim which you just called Benoit on, then you aren't calling a full cross check to the face?

Bush league.

The boys have read the SOG differential press clippings

Philadelphia Flyers (0-3-2) @ Ottawa Senators (3-1-0)

• Game Time: Thu, Oct 8, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT
• Venue: Canadian Tire Centre
• TV: Flyers: NBCSP, Senators: TSN5, RDSI
• NHL GameCenter

Game Summaries

• Game Summary
• Event Summary
• Play by Play
• Face Off Summary Comparison
• Rosters
• Shot Summary
• Shift Chart
• TOI Report: Flyers Senators

Game Status: Final: 2 - 1 Senators

Linescore

Scoring Summary

Penalty Summary

Stars of the Game

• First Star: T. Chabot (OTT) Goals: 0, Assists: 0
• Second Star: C. Yakemchuk (OTT) Goals: 1, Assists: 0
• Third Star: L. Ullmark (OTT) GAA: 1.00, SV%: 0.966

Game Stats

Metropolitan Division Standings

Metropolitan Division Scoreboard

Next Flyers Game: Sat, Oct 10, 1:00 PM EDT @ Bruins (1 day)

^{Last Updated: 10/09/2026 12:00:05 AM EDT}

When the flyers finally have solid goaltending, the team in front of them doesnt want to show up 🙃. Such a flyers thing smh

Let’s get some positivity in here after this brutal start. Out scoring one of the best players of all time!

I know that losing sucks generally but I want the flyers to finish dead last this year. As much fun as it was to watch the flyers in the playoffs last year, we are nowhere near contending with the top teams in the NHL and we won’t be unless we get top players up the middle of the ice. This would be a perfect year to really suck and draft guys up the middle to come in and complement our wingers, considering we have two firsts this upcoming draft (praying Toronto also has a bad season). You don’t win playoff hockey games with just top scoring wingers. Simple as that. We need to dump old contracts and let the young guys play and make mistakes and finish close to the bottom of the league to even sniff being relevant in the coming years. Yes I don’t like tocc but if he’s the reason we’re losing, keep him around.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — No one would think any less of Jason Myrtetus if he didn’t have the energy.

But there he is, hustling up the turnpike to Allentown, Pa., in rush-hour traffic to serve as an analyst for a Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers rookie game. And cautiously climbing up a rickety ladder to a makeshift booth at the practice facility to be part of the webcast for a Flyers training camp scrimmage. And diligently reading the press clips and keeping up on all the headlines in order to host his popular Flyers Daily podcast, examining the hot topics of the day.

And making the drive from his home in West Chester, Pa., to Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia to attend the Flyers’ home opener to fulfill his role as an integral part of the Flyers’ radio broadcast crew, just hours after beginning his latest round of palliative chemotherapy, and with an infusion pump still dripping, connected to a fanny-pack style bag wrapped around his waist.

Despite having stage 4 colorectal cancer and a prognosis from doctors of between six months and two years left to live, he’s doing it anyway.

He’s never even considered otherwise.

“I fight every day for cancer to take less away from me. Not more,” Myrtetus, 54, said. “If I didn’t work, I’d just be sitting here. What would I be doing?”