PHILADELPHIA – The two teams most people associate with Rick Tocchet’s name are the Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
But not necessarily in that order.
Because although Tocchet played more games for the Flyers than any other team, including the Penguins, and made the Stanley Cup Final here twice, he achieved perhaps even greater glory while competing in the Steel City.
During his three-year stay there while in his playing career, he won a Stanley Cup (1991-1992) and a season later had his best offensive output with 48 goals.
Later, as an assistant coach, he raised the Cup twice with the Penguins (2015-16, 2016-17).
So while Tocchet had coached against the Penguins with other teams, Tuesday night was the first time he had stood behind the Flyers bench and strategized against his old team out west.
What were his emotions like going into the match?
“It’s been a great rivalry over the years,” he said after the team’s optional skate at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday morning. “I’ve lived it, as a player and an assistant coach in Pittsburgh.
“Both great cities. They’ve had their share of success either way. I hate to use the word ‘hate’ but there’s a lot of (emotion). . .which is good. Rivalries should be that way. They’re intense.”
Both the Flyers and Penguins are off to good starts, so that makes games like these even more fun to watch.
“It usually happens when both teams are successful,” Tocchet said. “Obviously Pittsburgh is the hottest team in the league. They’re one of our rivals so you’re looking for that kind of game tonight.”
Tocchet acknowledged the key to Pittsburgh’s ongoing success has been the play of star players Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang.
“It’s their leadership,” Tocchet said. “When you talk about Pittsburgh’s leadership over the years it’s been strong. Even when it’s been tough times, they hang in there. Malkin, I’ve been told, worked hard this summer and you can tell.
“They believe in what they’re doing. A couple timely goals, a little bit of everything. Crosby, Malkin, those guys are solid leaders.”
Tocchet believes the veteran Penguins took it personally when people wrote them off this season.
“I do,” he said. “I think Malkin took it personally when people thought he’s done maybe. Even Letang. Those guys work as hard as anybody off the ice than I’ve ever seen. They work at their game, even though Father Time catches up, they’re prolonging it.”
>Getting that swagger back
One of the reasons Tocchet was hired by the Flyers was to bring some swagger back to the team.
“I think swagger is great,” Tocchet said. “We’re taking advantage of the schedule, we have a lot of home games, which is part of it. Sticking with our game (plan), that’s still a work in progress.
“Coming back when you’re down 2-0, that’s a good sign. Littls things like that helps. That’s just something we’re trying to work on everyday, the culture and all that.”
>Andrae recalled from Phantoms
It’s been back and forth between Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia for defenseman Emil Andrae. On Tuesday, he was once again recalled from the Phantoms.
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