In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dig into a franchise in transition: the Philadelphia Flyers.

Rick Tocchet steps behind the bench, marking the team’s third coach in three seasons after Brad Shaw and John Tortorella. Meanwhile, Trevor Zegras arrives in a headline-making trade, bringing high-end skill and a much-needed spark to a Flyers team that’s been stuck in neutral offensively—particularly on the power play.

The Flyers haven’t made the playoffs since the COVID-era bubble (2020), but now—with an infusion of youth, a tough-minded new bench boss, and real promise in net—the orange and black faithful may finally have a reason to believe.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Coaching carousel: Rick Tocchet replaces Brad Shaw, who replaced John Tortorella

[00:45] Flyers power play woes: 30th in 2024–25, 4 straight years in the bottom

[01:10] Zegas trade: Flyers acquire him from Anaheim for Ryan Poehling & picks

[01:45] New additions: Dan Vladar (G), Christian Dvorak (F), other depth signings

[02:15] Key re-signings: Cam York (5 yrs, $5.15M), Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates

[03:00] Core youth progress: Michkov, Brink, Drysdale, York

[04:00] Power play challenges: Still no true quarterback?

[05:00] Goalie outlook: Ersson vs. Ivan Fedotov vs. Vladar

[06:00] Prospect watch: Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko

[07:00] Front office vision: Did Danny Brière make the most of the Gaudreau return?

[08:30] Rick Tocchet vs. John Tortorella: Different leadership styles

[10:00] Can the Flyers punch into the playoff bubble in the Metro?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Trevor Zegras represents a high-upside gamble—a flashy, creative player looking to reset his career under a new coach and closer to home.

Rick Tocchet brings grit, structure, and accountability—critical ingredients for a young team trying to learn how to win.

Goaltending remains uncertain—but there are options: Fedotov, Ersson, and Vladar all have potential.

The power play is still a major red flag. Even small improvement (from 30th to mid-20s) could put the Flyers in the Wild Card mix.

After years of rebuild mode, the Flyers now need their core (Michkov, York, Tippett, Brink) to mature into game-changers.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

With a new coach and a top-line talent like Zegras arriving, the Flyers aren’t rebuilding anymore—they’re trying to turn the corner. But unless the power play improves and someone steps up in goal, the orange-and-black may still be looking at another season on the outside of the playoff picture.

Still, for the first time in years, there’s more hope than hype in Philadelphia.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

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