Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere publicly backed head coach Rick Tocchet amid the team’s poor start to the 2026-27 season and reports of internal tension involving star forward Matvei Michkov.
In comments to reporters (including via Zoom from Edmonton), Briere said he does not believe there is a significant problem in the Michkov-Tocchet relationship. He credited Tocchet with the adjustments that helped the Flyers reach and win in the postseason the prior year, and stated clearly that he expects the coach to “find solutions and turn this thing around” again this season.
“He’s the one that came back in the second half last year, and tweaked the system,” Briere said of Tocchet yesterday. “He was a big part of why we made the post-season and won in the post-season. I expect him to do the same thing this year, and find solutions to do the same here.”
Briere also pushed back on a Kevin Weekes report suggesting Michkov would likely prefer a fresh start elsewhere, calling the report incorrect after speaking with Michkov and his agent. He described any friction (including a recent heated exchange involving Michkov and a teammate) as normal competitiveness when a team is struggling, and emphasized that Michkov remains part of the long-term solution.
In short, the front office is standing by Tocchet and signaling confidence that he can stabilize the group.
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