Ex-Canucks Tocchet has second thoughts about his treatment of Flyers forward
Surely, Rick Tocchet has no regrets about his decision to leave the Vancouver Canucks.
The 2024 Jack Adams Trophy winner bolted from Vancouver during the 2025 offseason, just before the Canucks belly-flopped into the NHL’s basement.
While Tocchet can have a sneaky smile about that, it sounds like he may have second thoughts about one main storyline during his first season with the Philadelphia Flyers.
It didn’t take long for Tocchet to catch heat from Flyers fans last season over his treatment of young forward Matvei Michkov.
After posting 63 points in 82 games during his rookie season, Michkov wasn’t able to build on that during his sophomore season in 2025-26. He got off on the wrong foot with Tocchet, who called him out for his conditioning.
“I know he’s the lightning rod for everybody around here,” Tocchet said early last season. “He’s got to relax. He’s got to get himself into shape. He’s got to be in positions… You can’t just leave the zone.”
Tocchet left the Canucks right before the ship sank. (Bob Frid/Imagn Images)
Michkov’s ice time, goal, and point totals all decreased last season under Tocchet, and the Flyers bench boss called out his conditioning on numerous occasions. Michkov then sat as a healthy scratch during two of Philly’s 10 playoff games.
Since the Flyers season ended, Tocchet has had some time to reflect on the whole Michkov situation.
“I think it’s a learning lesson for both of us,” Tocchet told Kevin Kurz of The Athletic. “I think the relationship has been overblown, and I think he’s talked about it.
“In saying that, in February, I was frustrated. I should have probably kept the remarks about him being out of shape — I had already said it four times; I don’t think I needed to say it a fifth time. As any coach, you learn a lesson. So, I would take that back.”
Despite his public spat with Michkov, Tocchet helped the Flyers exceed expectations last season. They finished third in the Metropolitan Division with 98 points, and advanced to Round Two of the playoffs.
Still, they are a team that currently seems destined for the mushy middle, a primary reason why they targeted Leo Carlsson with a monstrous offer sheet this offseason.
Oddsmakers are currently projecting Philadelphia to miss the playoffs, especially since teams like the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils are seemingly too talented to miss in consecutive years.
Perhaps if Tocchet is able to get the most out of Michkov, Philadelphia can avoid sliding out of the postseason. The Flyers haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive years since 2010-11 and 2011-12.