Flyers’ Rick Tocchet reveals the biggest positive of 8th-straight loss appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the Philadelphia Flyers were swept by the eventual champion Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, panic did not permeate the fan base. People did not lament the future or demand organizational changes. On the contrary, they celebrated a breakthrough campaign that included a first-round triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Continued growth was anticipated. It would be an understatement to say that Philly has taken a step back.
The Flyers suffered a 3-2 shootout loss versus the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, falling to 0-5-3 in the early goings of the 2026-27 season. Yikes. They have scored just 10 goals so far, which amounts to a measly 1.14 per game. Double Yikes.
However, if one watched Philadelphia’s latest unsuccessful effort, they at least saw a team that showed fight on its home ice.
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Trevor Zegras was active, goalie Dan Vladar made some superb saves and the Flyers erased a 2-0 deficit in the third period. There were embers of a victorious squad, but they never fully caught fire. Rick Tocchet is trying to find the bright side amid an abysmal start.
“We’re still upset at the last two weeks, but the energy was there,” the veteran head coach told reporters after the game, per 97.5 The Fanatic. “I saw a lot of guys digging a little bit harder. But it’s got to come naturally with this team. It’s got to be part of your DNA. It can’t be once in a while.”
𝐅𝐥𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝟖 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟕
Rick Tocchet saw positives from Trevor Zegras and the Flyers…But it’s too little too late in 𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 loss. pic.twitter.com/NNXmIo1Vxt
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) October 14, 2026
Like many of his players, Tocchet has experienced a brutal turn of events. The 2023-24 Jack Adams Award winner helped revive a franchise that had not competed in the playoffs in six years, and now he is trying to steer his team to its first W before reaching double-digits in games played. Hockey can be a volatile and cruel sport.
If the Flyers are going to survive this October implosion, they will need Zegras to consistently make an impact. He did so on Tuesday.
“It’s the best I’ve seen Trevor play,” Rick Tocchet said. “This is what we need from Trevor, this type of game where he wanted the puck, he was in the corners digging, taking a hit to make a play. That’s what he has to do.”
Trevor Zegras finished second on Philadelphia with 67 points last season, tallying 41 assists and a career-high 26 goals in 81 games. He tied the score versus the Kraken, so perhaps fans witnessed the beginning of a No. 46 explosion.
It will take a collective effort, though. The Flyers will look for some offense against a Detroit Red Wings team that has its own problems.