Flyers Pin Hopes on Rick Tocchet to Revive Trevor Zegras’ Game
The Philadelphia Flyers are optimistic that Rick Tocchet can help turn around the game of Trevor Zegras this upcoming season.
Tocchet’s arrival in Philly seemed almost destined, as many predicted it would only be a matter of time before the Flyers and the former NHL player turned coach came together.
That moment arrived this summer when Tocchet parted ways with the Vancouver Canucks after a turbulent season. The Flyers, eager to secure the services of the former Jack Adams Award winner, saw Tocchet’s potential not just as a high-profile coach, but as someone who could bring his deep experience as both a player and coach to bear on their team.
Tocchet was originally drafted by the Flyers in the sixth round of the 1983 NHL Draft. He played for Philadelphia from 1984 to 1991 before winning a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh and returning to the Flyers to finish his playing career during the 2001-02 season.
Fast-forward over two decades, and Tocchet boasts nearly 15 years of coaching experience. His time as an assistant coach in Pittsburgh under Mike Sullivan solidified his coaching pedigree, where he played a key role in guiding star forward Phil Kessel’s successful transition to the Penguins. Kessel, who had struggled in Toronto, thrived in Pittsburgh, becoming an integral part of the team’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
With Tocchet now in charge of the Flyers, the team is hoping he can work similar magic with Trevor Zegras, a young player who, like Kessel, needs a reset.
Can Tocchet Help Zegras Like He Did Kessel?
Much like Kessel, Zegras was a first-round pick, and both players found themselves underperforming in their respective organizations. Kessel was traded from Boston to Toronto, where his time was marked by difficulties, leading to his eventual trade to Pittsburgh. There, under Tocchet’s mentorship, Kessel transformed into a key player for the Penguins during their championship runs.
Zegras, similarly, has struggled to live up to his potential with the Anaheim Ducks. Despite some solid seasons early on, recent struggles and injury issues sparked rumors of a trade. That trade came this offseason when the Flyers brought him in, hoping to see Zegras blossom in a new environment—much like Kessel did in Pittsburgh.
The difference this time is the support Zegras will receive. Unlike Kessel’s time in Toronto, which lacked the team cohesion seen in Pittsburgh, Zegras will have the opportunity to thrive in a system that believes in his abilities. If Tocchet can replicate his success with Kessel, Zegras could evolve into one of the top young forwards in the NHL. He will likely play alongside phenom Matvei Michkov, which could further elevate his game.
Should things click for Zegras in Philadelphia the way they did for Kessel in Pittsburgh, the Flyers could be looking at one of the brightest young forward duos in the league.
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