Theodore Roosevelt once said: “Speak softly but carry a big stick.”
The former U.S. president was alluding to how a world power might go about negotiating international peace. The inference seemed to be, talk things out first but make sure everyone knows you have the strength to back up your suggestions.
That original statement came about more than a century ago but it still applies, in some respects, to global politics today.
It also could describe how the Flyers’ Owen Tippett plays the game of hockey on certain nights.
The big winger can put the puck in the net with a wicked shot but he can also put opposing forwards into the boards, as his game-high nine hits on Saturday night in Calgary can attest.
Coach John Tortorella welcomes the physical stuff but he says he’s actually more interested in seeing Tippett become a better, accurate shooter.
Tippett, who actually DOES speak softly, isn’t about to utter any contradictions. His total of 55 goals over the past two seasons are second on the Flyers only to Travis Konecny’s 64.
“I thought the last game (at Edmonton) ‘Tip’ generated a lot,” Tortorella said at the Thursday morning skate in Seattle. “He’s one of the guys with whomever you play him with, it really doesn’t matter, because he generates a lot on his own.
“He needs to score. I saw him when he hit the post (against the Oilers). He could have put us up 4-2 at that time (in the third period). You can see, he wants to score, he generated a lot of offense. He’s still a work in progress understanding the defensive part.”
Tippett, 25, came over from Florida in the 2022 Claude Giroux trade. He was a Panthers’ first-round draft pick (2017, 10th overall).
Having put together seasons of 27 and 28 goals, Tippett is now one of the Flyers’ mainstay scorers.
“We would like to get him killing penalties,” said Tortorella. “We’re going to wait a little bit more, we’re going to use Tyson (Foerster) there first.
“But I thought he (Tippett) took a step in the right direction last game, in moving his legs and creating offense.”
Each season, Tippett’s confidence seems to grow a little bit more. He has the size (six-foot-one, 210 pounds) and the speed to rush the puck through defenders.
Tortorella had him playing with Morgan Frost and Matvei Michkov during the preseason and reunited that line in Edmonton.
“There are plays where you watch him now, because we have him on the off-wing (left side, righty shooter),” Tortorella said. “He just turns up. He’s gotten really good at that as far as, instead of being along the boards – right-hand shot, left-hand boards – he just turns up, his skating ability is so good, he’s getting good at that.”
Opposing defensemen may know what’s coming but they have their hands full trying to cope with the situation.
“He’s close,” Tortorella said, mindful Tippett was still looking for his first goal going into game four at Seattle on Thursday night. “He just needs something to go in for him.”
Tortorella would like to see Tippett get more of his shots on net.
“He misses the net a lot,” the coach said. “I’m not sure if it’s because he’s gripping the stick (too tightly). It’s something we’re constantly talking to him about. You just can’t be too fine, as far as what you’re doing with it.
“That’s a rollercoaster with him. I’m not sure if that will ever go away. He’s very well aware of some of the opportunities. . .for us, we’re looking to get some rebounds, too. That (looking for the perfect shot) is going to be with his game all the time I believe.”
As far as the physical play, it should happen naturally in the course of a game. No need to push it.
“I’m always talking to him,” Tortorella said. “I think he’s a tough one to read because he’s so introverted and so quiet. I’m not sure if he’s ready. As I learn more and more about him, he’s ready. I think he can get there, do a little bit of banging.
“But I don’t want to turn him into a guy who is leading the team in hits. There are other things he needs to do for us here. But I think that helps get him involved. More importantly, I think he knows that helps him get him involved.”
Tippett is aware of Tortorella’s evaluation. It’s clear he wants to remain a physical force, especially if that adds to his offensive game.
“I think anytime you can either get hit or make a hit on the first shift, it kind of gets you into the game right away,” he said. “Coming into a back-to-back (at Calgary last Saturday), you want to be involved in the game, you want to have an impact.
“So, I think it was just one of those games where I was able to catch guys. I’m not going to have many games with nine hits but I’ll take it.”
Exploiting that patented move around defensemen can work but no point in overdoing it.
“I think a lot of it is situational,” he said. “You can’t take a guy wide every time you get it. When I have the puck and there’s that opportunity, I like my chances. You just have to choose your spots.”
