Category: Sports News

Less than halfway through his first season coaching the Philadelphia Flyers, Rick Tocchet is already tired of answering questions about your favorite player.

By now, it's no secret that Matvei Michkov, the young franchise forward, has not had the sophomore season everyone hoped he would. The 21-year-old Russian has eight goals, 11 assists, and 19 points in 34 games and is pacing for a major statistical regression across the board.

Not helping matters is the fact that Michkov's average ice time is wallowing at just 14:43, down nearly a full two minutes from the 16:41 he carried under John Tortorella (and Brad Shaw) last season, despite his shooting percentage (12.3% compared to 13.1%) remaining similarly above-average.

The Flyers' former No. 7 overall pick has not visibly regressed by the eye test, though it can be stated that the Flyers' reliance on a cycle-based system has greatly inhibited his offensive production compared to the previous transition-heavy system under Tortorella.

Signed on for five years, it's now Tocchet's responsibility to coach Michkov back to his previous form and then some, but giving a daily, or even weekly, report card on the young talent fans pay to watch play isn't of interest to him at this time.

Flyers Embrace Philosophy Change with Denver Barkey's NHL Debut, BreakoutLess than halfway through the 2025-26 season, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> are already icing a much different team than the one they started the year with.

"We're 17-10, we've got a good record... I've answered six Michkov questions. Enough's enough, guys. I'm getting a little...," Tocchet stammered to the media on Monday.

"Vladar's having a really good year for us. Drysdale's playing really good 5-on-5 for us. Yorkie's doing a really good job. We've got a lot of other players playing good and it's a team game. I mean, this is the fifth question. I appreciate it, but you're trying to make it something it's not.

"He's got to learn to play the game, and he's trying. He's a lot better defensively. He's a lot better playing a team game, and that's how you win hockey. It's not about catering to one person, I hate to tell you guys. That's it."

If Flyers fans, and even Vancouver Canucks fans, feel like they've seen and heard this movie before, it's because they have.

Just over a year ago, last December, Tocchet did the exact same thing with forward Elias Pettersson, the Canucks' franchise forward who would soon be left as the last man standing with J.T. Miller getting traded in January.

“Yeah, that’s what you expect him to do, right? He’s done a good job producing. I don’t know what else to say,” Tocchet had said. "You guys are obsessed with Petey, huh? It’s Petey, Petey, Petey every game. I know what you’re saying. I love you guys, but it gets old… I know you want me to say the wrong thing. That’s why. I’m not falling for that trap anymore.”

Pettersson, of course, stumbled to a career-worst year that saw him produce just 15 goals, 40 assists, and 45 points in 64 games. Before Tocchet's first full season as the Canucks' coach, Pettersson was a 102-point player in 2022-23 establishing himself as one of the NHL's most lethal centers.

The Discourse Around Matvei Michkov Makes No SenseThe great debate for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> so far this season has been whether or not star sophomore forward Matvei Michkov is getting a fair shake under new head coach Rick Tocchet and being put into positions to truly succeed.

By the end of the 2024-25 season, Pettersson's average ice time was just 18:40 - a stark, near-two-minute departure from the 20:33 he averaged in his banner campaign two years prior.

It's also worth noting that former Flyers forward Andrei Kuzmenko exploded for 39 goals and 74 points in 2022-23, then shrunk down to just eight goals and 21 points in 43 games under Tocchet in 2023-24 before getting traded.

Kuzmenko, 29, has seemingly always played his best when arriving in a new environment for the first time, but we can deduce that the Russian sniper is nowhere near the player he was pre-Tocchet.

How long the novelty lasts for the Flyers remain to be seen, but the new bench boss has historically never succeeded with offensive talents over a sustained period of time, only in parts.

The rift between Pettersson and Miller reached a point where it became unmanageable, and Clayton Keller's best years with Arizona (and now Utah) came post-Tocchet.

Something can be said about Trevor Zegras enjoying the best hockey of his career for the Flyers, too, but beware of catering to or fixating on one player on the 23-man roster.

The Philadelphia Flyers return home with a chance to reset quickly after a frustrating but largely well-played shootout loss to the Rangers, welcoming the Vancouver Canucks to Philadelphia.

The result on Saturday didn’t fully reflect the performance, and the focus now shifts to whether the Flyers can carry over the parts of that game that worked—particularly at five-on-five and on the power play—against a Vancouver team that presents a very different set of problems.

Vladar Likely to Get the Crease.

Dan Vladar looks set to start in goal, though Rick Tocchet left the door slightly open by calling it a game-time decision. Vladar being the first goalie off the ice after morning skate, however, is usually a strong indicator of the plan.

With Sam Ersson having handled a heavy workload recently, the Flyers appear comfortable leaning on Vladar in a game that could hinge on early saves. Vancouver generates a lot of offense off the rush and second chances around the net, and Vladar’s ability to manage traffic and control rebounds will matter more than raw save totals. The Flyers have generally gotten steady, predictable goaltending from him, which fits the kind of structured game they’ll want to play at home.

Building on Progress From the Rangers Game.

Calling the Rangers loss “disappointing” doesn’t mean it was unproductive. The Flyers skated well, pushed play for long stretches, and—importantly—saw tangible results on the power play with two goals. That’s been an inconsistent area, so any sign of cohesion is meaningful.

The challenge now is sustainability. Vancouver’s penalty kill isn’t passive, and their defense tends to close quickly on puck carriers at the blue line. Clean entries and quick decisions will matter more than volume. The Flyers don’t need to reinvent anything from the Rangers game, but they do need to be sharper in execution—especially if power-play chances are limited.

Denver Barkey’s Role Grows, Even If the Sample Size is Small.

Denver Barkey has only played one NHL game, but his impact was immediate enough that he stays in a prominent spot. Slotted alongside Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett, Barkey brings pace and a willingness to get involved in the middle of the ice—traits that can help stabilize a line that often draws tough matchups.

Tocchet was clear about what he’s seen so far.

“Unreal,” Tocchet said of Barkey’s energy. “I think it’s important to have guys every once in a while come up, whether they stick or not, they’re playing with energy. And I thought he was really, really good. He’s a hockey player.”

DENVER BARKEY HAS HIS FIRST TWO NHL ASSISTS JUST 23 SECONDS APART 🤩 pic.twitter.com/lp3gLDaZ8k

— NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2025

Barkey, who will be playing his first game on Flyers home ice isn’t being asked to spark the team emotionally or do anything flashy. He’s there to play, to move pucks, and to keep shifts alive. Against a Canucks team that rolls four lines and keeps pressure high, those details will determine how much ice time he earns again.

Christian Dvorak’s Return Settles the Top Six.

Christian Dvorak is back after missing the Rangers game with what Danny Briere jokingly described as a “boo-boo,” a minor lower-body issue that didn’t keep him out long.

His return stabilizes the top line with Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny, a trio that relies on Dvorak’s positioning and defensive awareness to balance Zegras’ creativity and Konecny’s pace.

With Dvorak in the lineup, the Flyers’ forward group looks more properly slotted. It also allows Matvei Michkov to stay in a matchup-friendly role with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink, where that line has quietly been effective at tilting the ice without needing sheltered minutes.

How Philadelphia Matches Up With Vancouver.

Vancouver brings a mix of size, speed, and shooting, led up front by Brock Boeser and supported by a deep, physical middle six. Evander Kane’s presence adds an edge, while players like Conor Garland and Jake DeBrusk thrive in broken plays and around the net.

On the back end, Filip Hronek drives much of their transition game, and Marcus Pettersson provides defensive stability. Thatcher Demko is expected to start, and when he’s on, goals are difficult to come by without traffic and second efforts.

For the Flyers, the defensive pairings suggest a clear plan. The York–Sanheim pair will handle top matchups, while Andrae and Drysdale are tasked with clean puck movement and avoiding extended shifts in their own zone. Nick Seeler and Rasmus Ristolainen give the third pair a more direct, physical look against Vancouver’s depth lines.

Projected Lines

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Trevor Zegras - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny

Denver Barkey - Sean Couturier - Owen Tippett

Matvei Michkov - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink 

Carl Grundstrom - Rodrigo Abols - Nikita Grebenkin 

Defense:

Cam York - Travis Sanheim

Emil Andrae - Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seeler - Rasmus Ristolainen

Goalies:

Dan Vladar

Sam Ersson

Vancouver Canucks

Forwards:

Evander Kane - Marco Rossi - Brock Boeser

Jake DeBrusk - David Kampf - Conor Garland

Kiefer Sherwood - Aatu Raty - Drew O’Connor

Liam Ohgren - Max Sasson - Linus Karlsson 

Defense:

Marcus Pettersson - Filip Hronek

Zeev Buium - Tyler Myers

Elias Pettersson - Tom Willander

Goalies:

Thatcher Demko

Kevin Lankinen

In three games with the St. Louis Blues, waiver claim Jonatan Berggren has had instant success.

His first three games with the Blues have witnessed him notch two goals and four points, which included a three-point outing against the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. In just days, he's gone from a player placed on waivers by a team that drafted him in the second round to a first-line player.

In addition to the eye-popping numbers, the 25-year-old has quickly gained the trust of coach Jim Montgomery. He's skating on the top line, on the power play, and is averaging 15:12 of ice time, a total that would be a career high by a decent margin. 

Expecting him to sustain a shooting percentage of 33 percent is likely a stretch, but he's averaging two shots per game, and his analytics are very positive. Currently, the Blues own a 66.25 Corsi For percentage, an expected goals percentage of 78.24, and 65.91 percent of the shots on goal at 5-on-5 with Berggren on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick. Additionally, the Blues are outscoring their opponents 3-0, own a high-danger chance advantage 17-4 and have generated 30 scoring chances while allowing just nine at 5-on-5 with Berggren on the ice. 

Berggren doesn't have God-given physical tools, listed at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds. He doesn't have overwhelming strength or speed, but he has a balanced game and thinks the game at a high level. 

He's done the right things to seize the opportunity given to him so far, but there's more work to be done. Players go through short offensive stretches like this all the time, but if he can continue to affect the game positively at 5-on-5, there will be room for him on a Montgomery-coached team.

“You never know,” Montgomery said. “He looks very comfortable. He’s made elite passes. His hockey sense and vision, and puck skills are very noticeable. Like that’s top-six (caliber). We want to see how he continues to progress. There’s a lot more than just the offensive side. There’s the defensive side, (too). But it’s been a really good showing.”

While Berggren is showing great things with St. Louis, it's critical to account for what we've seen from him in a larger sample size. Berggren played 169 games with the Detroit Red Wings, scoring 31 goals and 66 points. At times, the Red Wings loved what he had to offer, but more often than not, they were left wanting more. Inconsistency plagued his time in Detroit, as too frequently he would be a passenger, rather than a play driver.

He's impressed his coaches and teammates early on, but if he is going to lock down a role on the Blues, he needs to extend this stretch of games further. 

“(Berggren) can make a lot of plays, and it’s been really impressive watching him,” Robert Thomas said following the Blues' 6-2 win over the Panthers on Saturday. “He wins battles, he has the puck a lot, and he’s always looking to make a pass. Just his confidence level right when he got here, you could tell he wanted the puck on his stick, and whether it’s off the rush or in the zone, he’s made a lot of great plays. Just being able to control the puck so that you can have your head up is a big thing that goes really unnoticed. His head is always up, and it’s always turning, so he’s always looking for someone. When you play with a player like that, you’ve just got to get open.”

The Blues are back in action tonight against another difficult opponent, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Berggren is being given another opportunity on the top line, skating with Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich.

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'I Thought It Was A Really Good Start To His Career,' Blues Rookie Otto Stenberg's Compete And Two-Way Game Standout In NHL DebutSt. Louis Blues rookie Otto Stenberg made his NHL debut on Wednesday and stood out for all the right reasons.

Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen had a busy first week on making changes to the organization. After relieving Associate GM Jason Karmanos of his duties, the Sabres restocked the shelves by adding former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin to the fold as associate GM and Josh Flynn as assistant GM. 

The 60-year-old former NHLer served as Director of Player Personnel in Chicago when they won their first Stanley Cup in 2010, and served as GM of the Canadiens for nine seasons. Most recently, he has been with the Los Angeles Kings as a senior advisor and is the GM of Team Canada for the upcoming Spengler Cup in Switzerland. 

Flynn was hired by Kekalainen in Columbus in 2013, serving mostly as a capologist and in an analytics capacity. The 43-year-old was given permission by the Blue Jackets to join the Sabres and will have the same title as he did with Columbus the last seven seasons.  

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“Both Marc Bergevin and Josh Flynn bring a wealth of unique experience and perspective, and I am excited to add them to the Buffalo Sabres organization,” Kekäläinen said in a press release. “Adding both to an already strong group adds versatility and helps us continue to build a well-rounded hockey operations staff. Marc has firsthand experience as an NHL general manager and a track record as a strong talent evaluator at the highest level. His insight will be invaluable as we continue to identify and develop talent throughout the organization. Josh’s strength lies within salary cap management, analytics, contract negotiations, and scouting. Having worked alongside him in Columbus for many years, I know that his attention to detail and nuanced understanding of league processes will help to enhance how we support our broader organization.”

Kekalainen indicated that he will be in evaluation mode regarding all aspects of the organization, and based on the moves made in the first week, he has hit the ground running, but some other moves may have to wait until the offseason. According ot Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Monday’s 32 Thoughts podcast, Kekalainen has a reputation of being fair, but almost everyone in the Sabres upper echelon is in the final year of their contracts. This could mean more changes to the management and scouting departments and potentially bringing more people from Columbus – like Flynn – to Buffalo this summer. 

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