How Rick Tocchet Is Balancing Change and Chemistry with Flyers Lines
Rick Tocchet prefers order, structure, and accountability, but he adapts when necessary. Tyson Foerster’s injury forced him to reconsider the Philadelphia Flyers' lineup.
Recently, the Flyers' lines have shifted out of necessity, and Tocchet appears willing to keep some of these changes for now. This openness contrasts with his usual emphasis on consistency and highlights his thoughtful, analytical approach to problem-solving, guided by the game itself.
“We’re going to have to talk to the staff and [figure out] how we put the puzzle together,” Tocchet said on Friday. “A guy like Bobby [Brink], you put him with [Matvei Michkov] and he’s buzzing around there, and I think Mich can kind of see what he does. It seems like they have some chemistry there. The Dvorak, Zegras, Tippett line has been pretty good for us. I just don’t want to get in the habit of changing all the time. I’ve got to get some kind of chemistry. That’s why I try to keep pairs together — the old Scotty Bowman way.”
Tocchet’s goal isn't to make changes arbitrarily but to find a balance between allowing new line chemistry to develop naturally and maintaining enough stability so players can build familiarity without constant adjustments.
Before the injury, the Foerster–Cates–Brink line was the Flyers’ most dependable trio.
Author's summary: Rick Tocchet balances adaptability and consistency, reshaping the Flyers' lines thoughtfully to nurture chemistry while responding to unexpected changes like Tyson Foerster’s injury.