Rick Tocchet isn’t one for chaos.
He likes order, structure, and accountability. But he’s also not afraid to make adjustments when the situation calls for it — and Tyson Foerster’s injury has given him reason to rethink what his lineup can look like.
Over the past few games, the Philadelphia Flyers’ lines have taken on a different shape out of necessity. What’s interesting is that Tocchet seems open to keeping them that way, at least for now. It’s not something you often see from a coach who values consistency as much as he does, but it’s also a sign of how he approaches problem-solving: deliberate, analytical, and based on what the game itself tells him.
“We’re going to have to talk to the staff and [figure out] how we put the puzzle together,” Tocchet said on Friday. “A guy like Bobby [Brink], you put him with [Matvei Michkov] and he’s buzzing around there, and I think Mich can kind of see what he does. It seems like they have some chemistry there. The Dvorak, Zegras, Tippett line has been pretty good for us. I just don’t want to get in the habit of changing all the time. I’ve got to get some kind of chemistry. That’s why I try to keep pairs together — the old Scotty Bowman way.”
Tocchet isn't tinkering for the sake of it. He’s looking for balance — between letting new combinations develop naturally and maintaining enough structure so players aren’t constantly adapting to new linemates.
Adapting Without Overreacting
The Foerster–Cates–Brink line had been the Flyers’ most reliable trio before the injury. They were steady on both ends of the ice, with a clear identity built on forechecking pressure and responsible possession play.
But when one player in that line is out of commission, it loses some of its effectiveness. That meant, for Tocchet, breaking them up wasn’t a tactical decision so much as it was a necessity. Still, his openness to not automatically reverting to that combination when Foerster returns shows a willingness to think critically about what’s working now.
Brink’s recent pairing with Michkov, for instance, has shown flashes of something intriguing. Brink’s pace and energy complement Michkov’s creativity and vision, giving the Flyers a different flavor of offense. Tocchet’s seen that potential — and for now, he’s content to explore it.
That approach reflects a coach who trusts his eyes and his instincts. It also highlights how he views chemistry as something that evolves through experience rather than repetition. In other words, it’s not just about who plays together, but how they play together.
Controlled Experimentation
There’s always a risk in moving too many pieces around too often. Constant line changes can disrupt rhythm, and you always run the risk of a line simply not gelling, which can, in turn, be detrimental to your overall game. Tocchet’s aware of that. He reiterated his belief in using famed coach Scotty Bowman’s “pairs” philosophy — keeping two players together while rotating a third — is a way to introduce flexibility without losing cohesion.
It’s an extremely practical method to employ as the Flyers are still getting fully adjusted to Tocchet's system. Players can develop familiarity with one or two consistent partners while still being exposed to different combinations and situations. It keeps the team adaptable but grounded — a valuable skillset to have in this league.
A Coach in Evaluation Mode
If Tocchet does decide to keep Foerster, Cates, and Brink apart even after Foerster returns, it certainly won’t be a knock on that line — it’ll be a sign of confidence in the team’s depth.
At this stage of the season, it’s not about cementing long-term combinations; it’s about understanding what works and what doesn’t. Tocchet has been clear that he wants to see more “will” from his players — more willingness to get to hard areas, more commitment to playing the right way. Evaluating how different players respond to new roles and linemates helps him learn who can bring that consistently.
And, although it's a small sample size, these lines have looked good in the games we've seen them play in. It's not difficult to see why Tocchet is willing to keep them together for the time being, and it will be extremely informative to see just how well they work against different kinds of opponents. Sure, they probably won't be set in stone, but it's handy to have these combinations in your back pocket should some re-shuffling ever be required later down the line.
The Takeaway
What stands out about Tocchet’s approach is that it’s not purely reactionary. He’s not scrambling to find something that sticks — he’s methodically testing what could work better. That’s a subtle but important distinction. Coaches who chase instant results often end up chasing their tails.
He wants chemistry, but he’s not sentimental about it. He’s willing to disrupt what’s comfortable if it means getting closer to what’s effective.
In a league where it’s easy to overcorrect, Tocchet is doing the opposite: making thoughtful, steady adjustments in pursuit of sustainable progress.