The Philadelphia Flyers introduced the hiring of Rick Tocchet as their new head coach on Wednesday, NHL.com confirmed.
Information of Tocchet’s hiring ended weeks of hypothesis following Tocchet stepping down from his former function because the Vancouver Canucks’ bench boss. Whereas Tocchet’s hiring has been met with justifiable hoopla and hype, there’s motive to consider the Flyers might need made a mistake in naming Tocchet as their new coach.
So, let’s discover three causes the Philadelphia Flyers could have made a mistake in hiring Rick Tocchet as their new head coach.
3 explanation why Philadelphia Flyers could have made a mistake in hiring Rick Tocchet
#3 He’s an “old-school” coach very like John Tortorella
One of many greatest criticisms of Tocchet’s predecessor, John Tortorella, was his old-school method to the sport. Tortorella’s hard-hitting, defense-first model didn’t mesh effectively with the present crop of Flyers’ gamers resulting in discontent amongst gamers.
Like Tortorella, Rick Tocchet brings a hard-nosed throwback model of play. As such, there’s motive to doubt {that a} coach with an identical philosophy as Tortorella might make any important headway subsequent season.
Whereas Tocchet’s voice might spark a turnaround, there is no such thing as a telling if Tocchet’s affect shall be sufficient to get the Flyers again into playoff competition.
#2 Tocchet’s questionable relationships with gamers
This season, Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller starred in one of many NHL’s most talked-about cleaning soap operas. The drama culminated with Miller being traded to the New York Rangers on the deadline.
All through the ordeal, Tocchet didn’t appear too eager on diffusing the state of affairs. Tocchet appeared extra indifferent, usually offering imprecise solutions to questions, failing to deflect consideration from the locker room drama and holding the concentrate on the sport.
In Philly, Tocchet might want to be certain that group chemistry stays constructive. The Flyers can unwell afford to let group chemistry go south at this level within the membership’s growth.
#1 He hasn’t gained something but
Sure, Rick Tocchet had loads of success as a participant. He is additionally gained Cups as an assistant. However as a bench boss, he’s but to win something significant. In his tenure as a head coach, he’s solely made the playoffs twice in 9 seasons.
With the Canucks final season, Tocchet managed to get the group into the second spherical. Sadly, the Canucks regressed considerably this season, failing to make the postseason.
That lack of success might develop into a cloud hanging over his head till he lastly breaks by means of and makes a deep playoff run. If that’s the case, Tocchet will have the ability to shake off any doubters concerning his teaching legacy.
Within the meantime, questions will abound concerning Tocchet’s capability to get probably the most out of his groups. The Flyers hope that Tocchet is the reply to the group’s ongoing futility.
Edited by Nestor Quixtan