The Flyers are heading into this season with a familiar problem and a familiar answer: fix the power play from the inside.
That’s been the message around the organization as mid-2026 approaches. Instead of swinging for a splashy outside addition or trying to force a trade, the Flyers appear set on tightening the screws with the players already in the room. It’s a practical approach, and one that fits a team trying to improve without creating cap headaches or giving up assets.
The issue itself hasn’t changed much. Philadelphia has spent multiple seasons near the bottom of the NHL in power-play efficiency, hovering in the 25th-to-30th range and at times sitting around the 15% mark or worse during 2025-26. That kind of production leaves little room for optimism unless the structure changes and the execution follows.
Rick Tocchet and his staff have been leaning into the details. The focus has been on better reads, more consistency, cleaner chemistry, and smarter shot selection from dangerous areas. One of the ideas has been to keep the same units together longer so the group can build some familiarity instead of constantly resetting the look.
The internal options are part of what makes this plan possible. David Jiricek has drawn attention for his power-play work with the Phantoms, and he’s being viewed as a possible answer for the point or at least a major piece of it. Trevor Zegras has also been central to the man advantage, with the conversation even including ways to use him more creatively at the point.
There are other names in the mix too. Cam York and Jamie Drysdale are part of the blue-line discussion, while Matvei Michkov and Denver Barkey are among the forwards who could factor into the setup. The broader idea is simple: find the right combinations, get more shots from high-danger spots, improve zone entries, and cut down on the over-passing that has stalled too many possessions.
For the Flyers, this is the kind of bet that makes sense right now. They’re banking on development, especially from the blue line, and on young talent taking a real step forward.
If that happens, the power play can climb out of the basement. If it doesn’t, the pressure for bigger changes will only get louder.
In Other News...
Matvei Michkov Sounds Determined To Silence A Growing Flyers Concern
Matvei Michkov has spent his offseason trying to make sure the next chapter of his Flyers career starts on firmer ground. Heading into his third NHL season, the young winger has been training hard in Russia, working through a demanding summer program that included a two-week stretch with a coach sent by the Flyers and time around established NHL talent such as Artemi Panarin and Mikhail Sergachev.
For Philadelphia, the interest is bigger than just another offseason update. Michkov remains one of the organizations most important long-term pieces, and the club has reason to want his preparation to match his promise. He plans to keep working in Russia for now before coming back to Philadelphia ahead of training camp, leaving the Flyers to wait a little longer to see how much of that summer work carries over once the season pressure starts. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers May Have Pushed Ducks Into A Brutal Prospect Dilemma
The Flyers aggressive offer sheet for Leo Carlsson did more than test Anaheims resolve. Once the Ducks matched the five-year, $90 million deal, they boxed themselves into a tight cap situation that now hangs over the rest of their offseason, with Cutter Gauthier still needing a contract and little room to maneuver. It is the kind of ripple effect that can reshape a roster quickly, especially when a team is already balancing long-term plans against immediate pressure to stay competitive.
One way out could be painful. Anaheim may have to move veterans such as Chris Kreider, Alex Killorn or Frank Vatrano just to create enough flexibility, and that squeeze could also accelerate decisions on younger players. Among the names suddenly pulled into the conversation is 18-year-old Nikita Klepov, whose path was supposed to be more gradual but now sits closer to the NHL picture than anyone expected. [Read more 🡒]