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Published on:

9th Sep 2025

2025 Summer Cooler - Philadelphia Flyers

In this Summer Coolers episode of NHL Wraparound, Neil Smith and Vic Morren dig into a franchise in transition: the Philadelphia Flyers.

Rick Tocchet steps behind the bench, marking the team’s third coach in three seasons after Brad Shaw and John Tortorella. Meanwhile, Trevor Zegras arrives in a headline-making trade, bringing high-end skill and a much-needed spark to a Flyers team that’s been stuck in neutral offensively—particularly on the power play.

The Flyers haven’t made the playoffs since the COVID-era bubble (2020), but now—with an infusion of youth, a tough-minded new bench boss, and real promise in net—the orange and black faithful may finally have a reason to believe.

🧊 IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Coaching carousel: Rick Tocchet replaces Brad Shaw, who replaced John Tortorella

[00:45] Flyers power play woes: 30th in 2024–25, 4 straight years in the bottom

[01:10] Zegas trade: Flyers acquire him from Anaheim for Ryan Poehling & picks

[01:45] New additions: Dan Vladar (G), Christian Dvorak (F), other depth signings

[02:15] Key re-signings: Cam York (5 yrs, $5.15M), Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates

[03:00] Core youth progress: Michkov, Brink, Drysdale, York

[04:00] Power play challenges: Still no true quarterback?

[05:00] Goalie outlook: Ersson vs. Ivan Fedotov vs. Vladar

[06:00] Prospect watch: Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko

[07:00] Front office vision: Did Danny Brière make the most of the Gaudreau return?

[08:30] Rick Tocchet vs. John Tortorella: Different leadership styles

[10:00] Can the Flyers punch into the playoff bubble in the Metro?

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Trevor Zegras represents a high-upside gamble—a flashy, creative player looking to reset his career under a new coach and closer to home.

Rick Tocchet brings grit, structure, and accountability—critical ingredients for a young team trying to learn how to win.

Goaltending remains uncertain—but there are options: Fedotov, Ersson, and Vladar all have potential.

The power play is still a major red flag. Even small improvement (from 30th to mid-20s) could put the Flyers in the Wild Card mix.

After years of rebuild mode, the Flyers now need their core (Michkov, York, Tippett, Brink) to mature into game-changers.

🎯 FINAL WORD:

With a new coach and a top-line talent like Zegras arriving, the Flyers aren’t rebuilding anymore—they’re trying to turn the corner. But unless the power play improves and someone steps up in goal, the orange-and-black may still be looking at another season on the outside of the playoff picture.

Still, for the first time in years, there’s more hope than hype in Philadelphia.

🔗 RESOURCE LINKS:

🎥 YouTube: NHL Wraparound Channel

🐦 X (Twitter): @NHLWraparound

🎤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil

📘 Vic Morren: Vic on LinkedIn

📸 Instagram: @NHLWraparound

🎵 TikTok: @NHLWraparound

👍 Facebook: NHL Wraparound on Facebook

🏒 HASHTAGS

#NHLWraparound #FlyersHockey #RickTocchet #BradShaw #JohnTortorella #TrevorZegras #RyanPoehling #ChristianDvorak #DanVladar #MatveiMichkov #SeanCouturier #TravisKonecny #OwenTippett #TysonFoerster #NoahCates #CamYork #BobbyBrink #JamieDrysdale #TravisSanheim #CarterHart #SamErsson #IvanFedotov #DannyBriere #OliverBonk #JettLuchanko #JakobPellitier #AndreiKuzmenko #JoelFarabee #MorganFrost #KenHolland #ChuckFletcher #KeithJones

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About the Podcast

NHL Wraparound Podcast
Neil Smith & Vic Morren
Breadth and depth.
Contemporary and historical.
Straight-forward and experienced.
The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.

Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.

With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.

Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.


Bio’s
Neil S. Smith, highly regarded NHL executive, served as the President and General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers. During his eleven years with the team, they achieved significant success, including three division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, one Eastern Conference Championship, and a historic Stanley Cup victory—the franchise’s first in 54 years.

Known for his expertise in professional sports franchise economics, Smith played a pivotal role in management decisions under four different Rangers owners.. His tenure saw iconic trades and acquisitions, including Hall of Famers Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, as well as successful drafts and free-agent signings.

Starting as a pro scout, Smith's career highlights include the impactful 1989 draft for the Detroit Red Wings and bold trades that shaped NHL history. He briefly served as GM for the New York Islanders in 2006, later working as a consultant for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

A Toronto native, Smith's hockey journey began in junior leagues before a distinguished college career at Western Michigan University. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including induction into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

Vic Morren: Born in New York City close to the Old Madison Square Garden, Vic Morren has had hockey in his blood his entire life as a fan, player and television production manager.

A graduate of William Paterson University, Morren skated for three seasons with the Pioneers hockey club and became the first statistical analyst to apply his craft to telecasts working New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils games from 1984-87. He co-authored two NHL-based statistics books within that span before moving to ESPN in 1987 and working the final season of the original deal the network had with the NHL.
After departing in 1990, Morren worked as a studio producer for SportsChannel America’s NHL coverage and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics before returning to ESPN that fall where he worked all 12 seasons on the second ESPN/NHL deal and the first season of the most recent contract in 2021-22. Morren has also earned a Sports Emmy for his work on Sunday Night Football coverage in 2003.

His relationship with Neil Smith dates back 33 years through their mutual friendship with the late ESPN/ABC commentator John Saunders. Morren looks forward to NHL Wraparound and collaborating with Smith with the goal to provide an experience of contemporary viewpoints, historical spin and an overall enriching podcast experience.