Yes, I adore Rick Tocchet, that’s no secret. I also adore Danny Briere, also not a secret. So obviously, I was glued to the broadcast when Danny introduced Rick as the 25th Coach of my beloved Flyers.
I also know that I am in the minority of Flyers fans in believing that this decision is in the best interests of the Flyers. All I am saying, is give Tocch a chance.(yes to the tune of Give Peace a Chance)
First, he is a Jack Adams award winner, certainly not an award his predecessor will ever be considered for. Despite that, he did not utter one bad word about Torts during his introductory presser. In fact, he praised the locker room that Torts built, something I will not do.
Yes, he is a former Flyer, and a well loved one. His hiring will bring back some fans, much as bringing Simmer back to retire a Flyer did. Tocchet loves this organization, and respects it. Did Torts? He didn’t respect the team or the organization enough to “learn” how to coach the team. He openly torched the starting goalie ( yes I have torched Ers as well, but I’m not the coach of the Philadelphia Flyers) and benched the newly named Captain and the only star player the team has had in years. He was fond of benching players in their home cities….Bobby Brink anyone?
He has coached elite players, too. Some dude named Crosby? Malkin? Stamkos? He understands how to help them grow, and looks forward to helping Michkov. He spoke at the presser of his admiration of Mich and his drive. Torts wanted to control him, Tocchet wants to help him grow and develop.
Am I perhaps a bit prejudiced because I adored him as a player? Perhaps. I do however like to think I would welcome any coach that spoke of this team with the respect and reverence that Rick Tocchet did during his introduction. He knows the team is in a rebuild and will be chock full of young players that need teaching. He looks forward to teaching them. I look forward to watching him teach them. So all I am saying is give Tocchet a chance.
By: Phyllis Ceci (@flyersfan1129)
Image Courtesy NBC Sports
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