After Friday’s training camp session, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet addressed the media and gave some thoughtful insights into his coaching philosophy and the development of his players. One of the most memorable takeaways from his remarks came when Tocchet emphasized the importance of understanding “concepts” over memorizing specific plays on the power play.
Rick Tocchet expands on Flyers' goals for 2025-26
“We’re not about plays, we’re about concepts,” Tocchet said. The message was clear: while hockey can be a complex and fast-moving game, the ability to recognize situations and apply the right concepts in real time is what separates good players from great ones
Tocchet expanded on this point by bringing up some of the team’s most dynamic forwards. “I think when you have guys like Konecny, Michkov, and Foerster, you’ve got to be careful,” he explained. “You don’t want to make these guys robotic. Sometimes, power plays are robotic.” His comparison of hockey’s power play to football illustrated the difference. In football, every move is dictated by a structured playbook. In hockey, particularly on the power play, Tocchet believes it’s more effective to allow players to rely on instincts, giving them the flexibility to create rather than simply execute.
Another interesting part of the Flyers' HC's media session revolved around Matvei Michkov. The young Russian forward has been adjusting not only to the NHL but also to life in North America. Reporters noted that Michkov’s English has been improving, and Tocchet used that as an opportunity to talk about the universal language of hockey.
“There’s hockey language too,” Tocchet said. “I was just on the ice working on a couple things… you can communicate sometimes with just hockey, you know, with action.” The coach emphasized that while words are important, body language, repetition, and on-ice demonstrations can often bridge communication gaps more effectively than verbal instruction alone.
Tocchet also touched on Michkov’s use of a translator, acknowledging that while it’s an important resource, it may not always be necessary for the young forward. “Having his translator is a safety net for Michkov, and he’ll probably learn faster without that,” Tocchet noted. “He’ll still need his translator, and he’ll be around, but maybe just not all the time.”
The message surrounding Michkov was one of balance: giving him the support he needs while also encouraging independence as he adjusts to a new culture, language, and league.
The Flyers' first rookie game is Sunday night in Long Island.
