The Philadelphia Flyers have named Rick Tocchet as their new head coach, but the reaction from fans has been divided. Tocchet, a former Flyers star from the 1980s and ’90s, is stepping in to help the struggling team bounce back after missing the playoffs for five straight seasons.
The team’s recent history doesn’t inspire much confidence. The Flyers have only won one playoff series in the past 13 years, and their last Stanley Cup win came in 1975—nearly 50 years ago. So it’s no surprise that the hiring news wasn’t met with wild celebration.
Fans React to Tocchet’s Hiring
Within the first 10 hours of an online poll with over 800 voters, only 40% said they “loved” the move. A slightly larger group—41%—called it “meh”, while 19% said they hated it.
Some fans expressed frustration that the team keeps bringing back former Flyers to fill coaching and management positions. One fan said, “We’ll be saying told you so after Rick is fired in three years.”
However, even non-Flyers coaches like Peter Laviolette and John Tortorella didn’t have much success either. Laviolette did take the Flyers to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final and had the best win percentage of the group (.586), but results have still been poor overall.
A Flyer at Heart
Tocchet is 61 now, but his connection to Philadelphia remains strong. He said in the official team release, “I’ve always been a Flyer at heart.”
He has a long history with the Flyers both on and off the ice. During his playing career, he was known for his toughness, scoring ability, and leadership. He scored 232 goals in 11 seasons with the Flyers and 440 goals overall in the NHL.
What Fans Are Saying
Not everyone is skeptical. Some fans celebrated Tocchet’s return, calling it a step in the right direction.
“Best Flyers news in years,” one fan tweeted. “This is awesome. Love Tocchet!”
Another fan said Tocchet is going “home,” adding, “He embodies what the Flyers used to be and what they can be again!”
Tocchet’s coaching record is 286-265-87, from his time with Tampa Bay, Arizona, and Vancouver. He also won three Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh—one as a player and two as an assistant coach.
What’s Next for the Flyers?
Despite Tocchet’s emotional return, the team needs more than just a coaching change. The Flyers finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference this season. To compete again, the front office must build a stronger roster.
They’ll likely be on the lookout for a top-line center, a reliable goaltender, and a solid defenseman. Tocchet is expected to focus on improving areas like the power play, where the team has struggled.
Rick Tocchet’s return to the Flyers brings both hope and hesitation. His deep roots with the team and strong personality may help spark a turnaround, but he’ll need full support from the management and real upgrades to the lineup. The Flyers’ fans want results—not just a trip down memory lane. Whether Tocchet can lead the team back to glory remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a fresh start in a city that loves its hockey but demands much more.
