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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Revisiting GM Danny Briere's First Flyers Trade, 2 Years Later
Flyers prospect Helge Grans is expected to make a big impact in 2025. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images) Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere has seen and done it all during his brief time in charge of his former team, and his first piece of business is looking like his best so far. On June 6, 2023, two years ago yesterday, Briere made his first trade as the general manager of the Flyers, sending Ivan Provorov and Hayden Hodgson to the Los Angeles Kings (and then the Columbus Blue Jackets) in exchange for what would become Oliver Bonk, Helge Grans, the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Cal Petersen, and Carson Bjarnason. Advertisement Petersen's albatross contract has, of course, expired, leaving the Flyers with just the good stuff: a great goalie prospect in Bjarnason, an NHL-caliber defenseman with an elite toolkit in Grans, a promising potential top-four defender in Bonk, and a first-round pick that became much higher than expected as the fruits of the Sean Walker trade. In the last two years, Briere has swung his fair share of deals, like the Cutter Gauthier one that yielded Jamie Drysdale, and the other that offloaded Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost for diminishing returns. Bringing in Grans, Walker, and other draft picks has proven to be one of Briere's best moves so far, if not the very best. Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Can Complete His Staff with This NHL Legend Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Can Complete His Staff with This NHL Legend New Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has made the first two additions to his coaching staff, but he still needs one more. How about an NHL legend who just left the Vancouver Canucks? Advertisement The 22nd pick in this year's draft, whether used on a prospect or traded for future-facing roster player, will assuredly aid the Flyers in taking the next step. With an extended opportunity at the start of the upcoming season, Grans, 23, could replace the older, more expensive, and oft-injured Rasmus Ristolainen, though he'll have to earn his place on the NHL roster. The same is true of Bonk, a back-to-back OHL champion and Memorial Cup winner who will be starting his professional career in the Flyers organization this fall. Provorov, since leaving Philadelphia, has scored a total of 65 points in Columbus while playing in all 82 regular season games two years in a row. Despite that, the Flyers' former top draft pick and his Blue Jackets have yet to make the playoffs. Advertisement For Briere, this trade was an easy win at the time and is looking even better with the time that has already passed. The future will decide what happens next, but the Flyers have all the pieces in place to take multiple successful steps forward on the backs of the assets they acquired in Briere's first deal as Flyers GM.
New York Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rick Tocchet, Flyers are a natural fit, but not for the reasons you might assume
It's an established pattern in the NHL — teams rotating through the same inventory of coaches over and over, in the hopes that the experience they have gained in their previous stops will help them to immediately get off on the right foot in their new locales. Rick Tocchet, 61, is now firmly one of them. The Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday became the fourth organization to employ him as a head coach, after he previously paced behind the benches of the Tampa Bay Lightning for nearly two full seasons, the Arizona Coyotes for four seasons and the Vancouver Canucks for two and a half seasons. Advertisement The standard complaints about a team recycling a coach are predictable, and may even have some merit. Tocchet has never made it out of the second round of the playoffs, and some questions need to be asked about how the Canucks went from one of the league's best teams in 2023-24 under Tocchet to missing the playoffs this season. Still, it always felt like Tocchet and the Flyers were a natural fit. That's not because he once played for the team, something that is still an immediate turn-off for a portion of the fan base. The fact is, even if Tocchet had never been drafted by or skated for the Flyers, he would have been a strong contender for the job. Such is the respect he has around the league, both as a coach and a man, including from Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones. There's a reason he reportedly also was pursued by teams such as the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken for their coaching vacancies. No, this is a fit for another reason entirely: It brings more stability to both the Flyers franchise, and to Tocchet himself. From a franchise perspective, the Flyers' attempt at reestablishing themselves as one of the league's premier teams is still an ongoing process. The past two seasons under general manager Daniel Briere have been about setting a certain standard and culture, while also attempting to build for the future by dealing away popular and still effective players. They're two years into what was always going to be a three-year process. But Briere also has said that being in the mix for a playoff spot in 2025-26 should be the aim. That will be no easy task after the Flyers finished with the fourth-worst record in the NHL this season, although Briere has also said he doesn't believe the team was as poor as that record would indicate. Perhaps there's some merit there — if the Flyers hadn't routinely played two backup goalies that weren't anything close to NHL-caliber, had kept their roster intact rather than trading key pieces away, and had a coaching staff that knew what it was doing on the power play — something Tocchet excels at — they probably would have had at least 10 or 12 more points in the standings. Advertisement Still, while it's likely that the Flyers will make at least one or two notable moves this offseason, the 2026 offseason is shaping up as the more important one. By this time next year, the Flyers will be free of most of the dead money they're carrying on the salary cap, and will look to start adding big-name, big-money players in free agency, or in trades for players who might have trade protection. If they're going to accomplish that, it's going to take more than just having salary-cap space and being prepared to write a massive check or two. They're going to have to be viewed as a franchise that's again on the upswing, and, therefore, as a desirable place to play. In other words, stable. And Tocchet, as the most experienced coach still available, gives the Flyers the best chance to achieve that stability. Not only will he be instantly respected in the Flyers' dressing room, but some of the game's biggest stars that have been coached by him, have high praise for him. Sidney Crosby, who had Tocchet as an assistant coach in Pittsburgh during two Stanley Cup-winning seasons, is one, as is Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes. No doubt other star-level players know that, too — perhaps even a few who might be looking for new homes in less than 14 months. Jones said in a statement: 'We are thrilled to have Rick lead our team into the future. What is impressive about Rick is that players gravitate towards him and develop a strong relationship in the process. There is a genuine trust that he will do everything he can to bring success to the team.' On some levels, Tocchet and former coach John Tortorella have a few similarities. They are both viewed as more 'old school' in their approaches, whether that's a defense-first mentality, which brings with it the risk of stifling offensive players, or, perhaps, being a bit too demanding and rigid in their instructions. But that isn't something that would be a turnoff for the Flyers' brass. Yes, it was an ugly ending to the Tortorella marriage in March. But prior to those final few weeks, it was evident in the moves that Briere made that he respected Tortorella's decisions with the roster, including the way that the coach handled rookie Matvei Michkov. Advertisement In terms of evaluating Tocchet, some young players, such as Clayton Keller in Arizona and Elias Pettersson in Vancouver, are two high-end talents who perhaps didn't respond to the coach's methods. But what Tocchet will inevitably do better than Tortorella is communicate with his players when issues arise. There aren't likely to be any situations like there were with Sean Couturier and Cam York telling reporters they had no idea why they were getting healthy-scratched by Tortorella, for example. Tocchet, it's been reported, wasn't necessarily looking to jump back into coaching right away after parting ways with the Canucks last month. When he popped up on the TNT panel again last week, there was speculation he'd be back there on a full-time basis again soon, trading playful barbs with Liam McHugh and Paul Bissonnette. But the Flyers' job offers him the sort of stability he hasn't had in the past. His first job as a head coach, in Tampa Bay, came before that team was purchased by Jeff Vinik. He replaced Barry Melrose after just 16 games, and was let go after the ownership change resulted in an entirely new regime. The Coyotes, of course, were never a stable franchise, and finally relocated to Utah about a year ago. When Tocchet was in charge, they were still routinely trading for dead money just to reach the salary-cap floor. It's tough to offer a fair evaluation of a head coach in those circumstances. Vancouver probably seemed like a good situation at first, with a talented roster in a rabid, Canadian hockey market. But after one successful season, 2024-25 devolved into a dysfunctional mess, including a rift between Pettersson and J.T. Miller that resulted in the trade of the latter to the New York Rangers. How much blame Tocchet bears for what went down there this season is difficult to ascertain, but the Canucks were hoping to keep him around before there was an amicable split. Surely, Briere, Jones and team governor Dan Hilferty all convinced Tocchet that the Flyers of now aren't the same as the Flyers of five years ago, when Chuck Fletcher, Dave Scott and Valerie Camillo were running things into the ground, and when Tocchet interviewed for the job that eventually went to Tortorella. There is a now clear direction and a plan in place, along with Comcast's deep pockets. Advertisement Whether the franchise is being steered in the correct way is something that Tocchet will now help to determine. But at the very least, his hiring, and the level of comfort it likely brings everyone involved, allows the organization to continue down the path it has already set without veering off in an entirely different direction.
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BioSteel Sports Academy Unveils Elite Player Development Committee Featuring NHL-Caliber Talent
Top-tier coaches, scouts, and former NHL players join forces with BioSteel Sports Academy to guide Canada's next generation of athletes. 'You rarely see this level of NHL-caliber insight made directly accessible to student-athletes. This is mentorship at the highest level.'— Dan Crosby, CEO of BioSteel WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA, April 10, 2025 / / -- BioSteel Sports Inc. is proud to announce the formation of its inaugural Player Development Committee at BioSteel Sports Academy, a Hockey Canada –accredited, Ontario Ministry of Education–inspected private school delivering approved academic programming alongside elite-level athletic training. This groundbreaking committee brings together a powerhouse roster of hockey minds, including current NHL coaches, former professional players, and nationally respected development specialists—all dedicated to mentoring student-athletes and elevating their performance on and off the ice. Committee Members Include: - Bob Boughner – Former NHL defensemen and Head Coach of the Florida Panthers; Associate Coach for the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks - D.J. Smith – Assistant Coach for the Los Angeles Kings; former Head Coach of the Ottawa Senators - Steve Ott – Former NHL forward and current Associate Coach for the St. Louis Blues; part of the 2019 Stanley Cup Championship staff - Mike Weber – Assistant Coach, St. Louis Blues; former NHL defenseman with over 350 games played - Scott Murray – Goaltending Coach, Washington Capitals; contributed to 2018 Stanley Cup victory - Dwayne Blais – Skills Coach, Detroit Red Wings; Founder of Total Package Hockey - Rick Pracey – Director of Amateur Scouting, Edmonton Oilers; 20+ years NHL scouting experience - Matt Dumouchelle – Assistant GM, Leamington Flyers; author of Hockey Factories 'This is a defining moment for player development in Canada,' said Dan Crosby, CEO at BioSteel Sports Inc. 'You rarely see this level of NHL-caliber insight made directly accessible to student-athletes. This is mentorship at the highest level.' At BioSteel Sports Academy, students receive a fully accredited education alongside elite hockey development. With Hockey Canada accreditation and now this all-star Player Development Committee, the Academy stands as one of the most advanced high-performance institutions in the country. 'We're building the complete athlete—on the ice, in the classroom, and in life,' said Eric Palazzolo, Director of Athletics at BioSteel Sports Academy. 'This committee gives our athletes a direct line to the minds who know what it takes to succeed at the next level.' About BioSteel Sports Academy Located in Windsor, Ontario, BioSteel Sports Academy is a private athletic-academic institution inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Education and accredited by Hockey Canada. The Academy offers full-day academic programming in line with provincial education standards, combined with advanced athletic development in hockey and other disciplines. Student-athletes graduate prepared for post-secondary opportunities, collegiate scholarships, and professional careers. About BioSteel Sports Inc. BioSteel Sports Inc. is a leading sports nutrition and performance lifestyle brand. Known for its clean, effective hydration and recovery products, BioSteel fuels athletes across all levels. With a renewed focus on grassroots sports and player development, BioSteel continues to invest in the future of athletic performance across North America. Dave Carcamo BioSteel Sports Inc. [email protected] Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube TikTok Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boston Bruins Acquire Defenseman From Buffalo Sabres
The Boston Bruins have acquired defenseman Henri Jokiharju from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. The #NHLBruins have acquired defenseman Henri Jokiharju from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.📰: — Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 7, 2025 Seeing the Bruins bring in an NHL-caliber right-shot defenseman is not surprising. They just traded Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Charlie McAvoy is out indefinitely. Thus, acquiring Jokiharju gives them a bit more depth for the final portion of the season. Jokiharju, 25, has three goals, six points, and a plus-6 rating in 42 games this season. This is after he had three goals and set new career-highs with 17 assists and 20 points in 74 games last season with Buffalo. In 389 career NHL games over seven seasons split between the Chicago Blackhawks and Sabres, Jokiharju has 19 goals and 93 points.
New York Times
03-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Blackhawks trade board 2.0: Can Petr Mrázek be moved ahead of Friday's deadline?
Well, that was quick. Nine days after Seth Jones went public with his trade request to force Kyle Davidson's hand, the Chicago Blackhawks general manager shipped him off to South Florida. So much for the immovable contract. So much for worrying about the salary floor. So much for this dragging into the summer, or even into next season. Advertisement Not only did Davidson have to retain just $2.5 million of Jones' cap hit over the next five seasons, but he also managed to get a potential starting goaltender in Spencer Knight and yet another future first-round pick (albeit one that'll surely be late in the round). The Blackhawks are demonstrably worse than they were before the trade, and Davidson has a complicated goaltending situation on his hands, but he did just about as well as he could have hoped for in one of the most significant trades of his tenure. So, what now? The trade deadline isn't until Friday at 2 p.m. CT, and the Blackhawks are one of just a handful of teams that are obvious sellers. They might not have another four-time All-Star to offer, but Davidson still has some pieces to play with. With that in mind, let's update the trade board now that the former No. 1 is a Florida Panther. Donato continues to boost his trade stock. He scored two more goals Saturday and increased his career-best total to 21 goals. Most impressively, nearly all of his goals have come in five-on-five play. He has 17 goals at five-on-five, which is tied for 10th in the league, and he has played significantly fewer minutes than a lot of the players ahead of him. The Blackhawks will undoubtedly get calls for Donato over the next week, but Davidson doesn't feel an urgency to move him. Donato has value on the Blackhawks now, even if they don't re-sign him. If they move him, it'll make sense in the biggest picture. The Blackhawks aren't motivated to move Reichel, but they'll certainly listen if someone approaches them with an interesting offer. The Blackhawks are fine holding on to him, too. His $1.2 million cap hit is small, and they obviously don't mind benching him when they feel it's warranted. Reichel returned to the lineup Saturday after back-to-back healthy scratches and responded with a goal and an assist, his first multi-point game since Oct. 19. If he can get on a roll over the next week, that could affect things, too. Advertisement The Blackhawks seemed set for this season and next when they signed Laurent Brossoit over the summer. But Brossoit hasn't played all season because of an injury, and Arvid Söderblom stepped in and looked like a potential future No. 1 goalie. Now, by adding Knight in the Jones trade, the Blackhawks have three NHL-caliber goalies signed for next season and a fourth (Söderblom) whom they'll certainly want to re-sign as a restricted free agent. The Blackhawks will prioritize Knight and Söderblom, so where does that leave Mrázek and Brossoit? The Blackhawks would love to move Mrázek if they could in the next week. There are a couple of challenges, though. One, Mrázek doesn't look anything like he did earlier in the season. In November, he posted a .927 save percentage. Then, he had an .821 save percentage in December, a .904 in January and an .850 in February. For the season, he's at .890. The other hurdle is that Mrázek has another year left on his contract and a $4.25 million cap hit. The Blackhawks are out of salary retention spots, so it's unlikely they'll be able to move him. A buyout could be a possibility in the offseason. The Jones trade makes a Murphy trade less likely because the assumption was the Blackhawks would also have to retain salary on Murphy, who has another year left on his contract and a $4.4 million cap hit. Two of the three retention spots will open in the offseason, with Jake McCabe and Blackhawks legend Mikko Rantanen coming off the books, so that might put Murphy back into play this offseason. Donato leads the Blackhawks in goals and points per 60 minutes of five-on-five play, but Smith quietly has been second in both categories. In limited minutes and despite missing nearly a month with a back injury, Smith has eight goals and seven assists in 38 games. Modest numbers, to be sure, but he can provide some depth scoring and be had for a song. If any contenders are going bargain-hunting, they could do a lot worse than Smith. Advertisement Maroon's fate could be up to him. If he'd like to be moved, Davidson probably would be happy to oblige. The 36-year-old is a three-time Stanley Cup champion making just $1.3 million, and a contender might be happy to have his experience in the room and net-front presence on the ice. But if Maroon would rather finish out the season in Chicago, Davidson will be fine with that, too. Highly respected veterans get that luxury. The return would be negligible anyway: a late-round pick or 'future considerations.' Maroon has been a strong mentor for Reichel, but he obviously isn't part of the future in Chicago. Kurashev was always unlikely to be moved at the deadline, but it's even less likely now after suffering a hand injury. The shame of it is that he had been playing some of his best hockey of the season before the injury. Like Maroon, Martinez's fate is largely in his own hands. Another well-regarded three-time champion, Martinez probably could find a depth role on a good team somewhere. But he has a young kid at home and another on the way, and as he told The Athletic recently, he has the luxury of being a champion and not having to go Cup-chasing in the twilight of his career. (Top photo of Petr Mrázek and Ryan Donato: Adam Eberhardt / NHLI via Getty Images)
