Flyers Fans Urged to Stay Patient as Rebuild Continues

GM Danny Briere and coach Rick Tocchet assure fans the team is headed in the right direction despite a tough season for top prospect Matvei Michkov.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 4:00am

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In a recent NHL.com mailbag, senior writer Dan Rosen addressed concerns from Philadelphia Flyers fans about the team's direction and the status of GM Danny Briere and coach Rick Tocchet. Rosen emphasized that it's too early to put either Briere or Tocchet on the hot seat, as the Flyers are performing better than expected this season despite injuries and a sophomore slump from top prospect Matvei Michkov. Rosen pointed to the team's promising young talent, including 2025 first-round pick Porter Martone, as reasons for Flyers fans to remain patient as the rebuild continues.

Why it matters

The Flyers have struggled to return to contention in recent years, leading to growing impatience among the fanbase. However, the new leadership team of Briere and Tocchet is asking for time to execute their plan, which includes developing a strong prospect pool to build around. Maintaining fan support during a rebuild is crucial, and Rosen's mailbag aims to provide perspective on the team's long-term outlook.

The details

Despite the Flyers' current position outside the playoff picture, Rosen believes Briere and Tocchet's seats are not even warm. Tocchet is in his first season as head coach, and the team has performed better than expected, especially with the loss of forward Tyson Foerster to a season-ending injury and the struggles of Michkov in his sophomore campaign. Briere, who was named GM in 2023, is executing the plan he and team president Keith Jones laid out when they took over. Rosen highlighted several promising Flyers prospects, including 2025 first-round pick Porter Martone, who is excelling at the NCAA level, as well as Oliver Bonk, Jack Nesbitt, Jett Luchanko, Denver Barkey, and Jack Berglund. The team's biggest need is a top-line center, which Rosen believes they will target via trade in the offseason, potentially involving current forwards Owen Tippett or Travis Konecny.

  • Briere was named Flyers GM on March 10, 2023.
  • Martone was selected 6th overall by the Flyers in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The players

Danny Briere

The general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, appointed in March 2023 to execute a plan to rebuild the team.

Keith Jones

The president of the Philadelphia Flyers, who took over the team along with Briere in 2023.

Rick Tocchet

The head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, in his first season with the team.

Matvei Michkov

A top prospect for the Flyers who is struggling in his sophomore season, but has acknowledged the need to improve his conditioning.

Porter Martone

The Flyers' 2025 first-round draft pick, a 19-year-old forward currently playing for Michigan State in the NCAA.

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What they’re saying

“It's too early. Tocchet is in his first season as the Flyers coach and, honestly, they're better than expected, especially with forward Tyson Foerster (arm) out for the season and Matvei Michkov having a tough second season.”

— Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer

“Michkov has been honest about his conditioning, that it wasn't up to NHL standards coming into this season and he has said he will remain in Philadelphia to work on his conditioning to be better prepared next season. Give him the benefit of the doubt. He's 21 years old.”

— Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer

What’s next

The Flyers will look to address their need for a top-line center via trade in the offseason, potentially involving current forwards Owen Tippett or Travis Konecny.

The takeaway

Despite the Flyers' current struggles, the team's new leadership is asking for patience as they continue to build through the draft and development of their prospect pool. With promising young talents like Porter Martone on the way, Flyers fans have reason to be optimistic about the team's long-term future, even if the short-term results are not yet where they want them to be.