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Flyers’ Head Coach Rick Tocchet has stressed chemistry (especially the “pairs” concept) right from Day 1 of Flyers Training Camp, and that emphasis has been carried into Day 2. Tocchet paired the same lines and pairings for both groups today:
Tocchet, in his second year as Flyers’ Head Coach, opened the 2026 camp (which began Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees) by getting straight into systems work and “staples” rather than pure conditioning. A key part of his message has been building and protecting forward chemistry. He has repeatedly referenced the Scotty Bowman approach of establishing solid pairs (a Center regularly with one winger) and rotating a third player, rather than constantly reshuffling full lines if they don’t click instantly.
David Jiricek and Cam York did well today, while breaking up some rushes involving Forwards Travis Konecny and Porter Martone.
It’s great to see Denver Barkey getting a shot down the middle, and that’s exactly what transpired again today. Tocchet continued the chemistry between Barkey and Michkov. Barkey looks solid down the middle, so maybe he sees a game or two in the pre-season down the middle.
Tocchet noted that coaches (including himself) can be too quick to break up combinations over early flaws instead of focusing on what works, and that training camp is the time to test looks while still valuing continuity where chemistry shows. Players and reporters have already pointed to early signs of that—pairs/lines like certain Porter Martone/Tyson Foerster-Travis Konecny or Denver Barkey-Matvei Michkov combinations generating positive early buzz.
On Day 2 (Friday, Sept. 18), the focus has continued in that direction: many of the same or similar groupings have stayed together while the staff layers in more work (including Power Play looks and some skating), allowing those connections to develop further ahead of the shorter preseason and the push toward the regular season. Tocchet has made clear he’s evaluating who plays well together without rushing permanent decisions, especially with a compressed timeline this year.
This fits Tocchet’s broader coaching style—prioritizing structure, possession, details, and relationships while giving skilled players room within a defined system. Early camp reports describe a businesslike, systems-heavy start with that chemistry message front and center.
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