Insiders Give Update On Where Flyers Stand In Tocchet Race

In the latest twist of NHL coaching carousel drama, Rick Tocchet has become not just a hot commodity—but the one holding the pen and writing the terms.

Forget teams shortlisting coaches. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, Tocchet is the one with the clipboard.

“The line I heard on Tocchet is he’s not interviewing with teams, he’s interviewing teams,” Friedman said this week on his 32 Thoughts podcast. “Basically, he’s interviewing them more than they’re interviewing him, so I’m curious to see what’s gonna end up here.”

It’s a revealing line, and one that pulls back the curtain on just how much leverage the 61-year-old coach currently has. With multiple teams reportedly circling, including Seattle, Philadelphia, and Boston, Tocchet is clearly the belle of this summer’s coaching ball.

And rather than racing to accept a job offer, he’s sitting back, measuring the fit, and likely making sure his next destination is more than just a short-term landing spot.

So who’s in the mix—and where does Philly stand?

It’s complicated.

“I think Seattle had a lot of interest in him; I’m not convinced that’s gonna happen,” Friedman continued. “I don’t know about Philly. I think he’s very high on their list, but I’m just—I’m not sure what’s gonna happen there…Tocchet sees himself as worth a certain market.”

Translation: Rick Tocchet knows what he brings to the table—and he isn’t settling for less.

That “market” likely includes not just a competitive salary, but also organizational control, roster buy-in, and the long runway needed to build something meaningful. 

But now, with Vancouver in his rearview and his reputation arguably never higher, Tocchet appears to be choosing wisely. Teams want him. But which teams will earn him?

That’s where the Flyers enter the chat.

Philadelphia has a long and storied history with Tocchet. He was a fan favorite during his playing days—tough as nails, deeply respected in the room, and a player whose identity mirrored the hard-nosed grit the Flyers have long tried to embody. That connection hasn’t faded with time. 

And while Friedman said that Tocchet is "high on the Flyers' list," he is, of course, not the only coach they're looking at. Brad Shaw, who has earned praise for his intelligence, adaptability, and handling of a turbulent second half of the season. According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Shaw “has a legitimate chance to get the full-time gig,” and the organization has already spoken to several other candidates as well.

But LeBrun also added something very telling: “As of Tuesday, my understanding is that the Flyers had not reached out on Rick Tocchet, but I expect that will happen before the end of the week.”

In short: the Flyers are still in evaluation mode, but the Tocchet question looms large. It’s possible Philadelphia has been waiting to make sure the situation with Shaw played itself out fully. It’s possible they were hoping to get some clarity from other candidates. Or—just as likely—they knew that Tocchet was going to take his time, and they’d better come correct when they finally did make that call.

There’s an air of poker being played here. The Flyers clearly admire Tocchet and see him as a top target. But they’re not rushing to the table with a blank check just yet. And Tocchet, for his part, isn’t waiting on anyone. He knows his worth, and he’s leveraging it—hard.

It's a fascinating power dynamic. In most offseasons, teams control the narrative—interviewing, evaluating, making offers. But Tocchet, with a potent awareness of his options and no shortage of suitors, has flipped that script. He's vetting organizations just as much as they’re vetting him. Fit, vision, personnel, front office alignment—all of it matters.

And while Philadelphia might offer the sentimental pull and potential of a young core on the rise, Tocchet isn’t going to be wooed by nostalgia alone.

For the Flyers, who are in the midst of a measured rebuild and have made a point of avoiding short-sighted decisions under the new front office regime, hiring Tocchet would be a bold swing. It would send a message that they believe the timeline is accelerating—that the foundation laid by Danny Brière and Keith Jones is ready for someone with Tocchet’s gravity to mold it into something sharper.

But it’s far from a done deal. In fact, based on both Friedman and LeBrun’s reports, it’s not even clear that formal conversations have truly begun yet. What’s clear, though, is that if and when the Flyers do pick up the phone, they won’t be the ones conducting the interview.