Flyers preaching patience (for now) with new power play 'homework'

by Bob Herpen

Phanatic Hockey Editor

Forgive me if I didn’t rush outside to see if white smoke poured from the roof vents of the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees last Wednesday when I dropped in on training camp, but the Philadelphia Flyers have a power play. 

Six days ago, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet definitively stated he selected a crew to man the first power play unit. And its construction is interesting – four forwards and one defenseman: Trevor Zegras. Porter Martone. Matvei Michkov. Tyson Foerster. Jamie Drysdale. 

Tomorrow night, when the curtain and the puck drops on the 2026-27 season, they’ll get the first of an indefinite number of chances to fulfill their destiny –- to raise the ailing man advantage out of the dregs of the National Hockey League. 

In the midst of an answer which bordered on glazing, Tocchet did manage to keep his feet stuck to the floor, saying there’s some “special gifts that they have” that pushed this five-man band to the head of the line. 

“The key is connection,” he explained. “I think ‘Mich’ and Trevor’s connection the last 3 days has fast tracked. And Porter’s got a really good brain when it comes to scoring goals. I hope the connection stays.”

Of course, Tocchet said this when the only video evidence of the new unit and its formation was, at first, an individualized side-session with 3 of the guys alone and then a full-unit try against 4 players providing no pushback. 

We can only hope the five neat guys did their summer reading and are ready to put the plan in action. You wouldn’t want to upset the teachers, who worked so hard to prepare themselves.

“I think Yogi did a Hell of a job with Jay of identifying where the goals are scored, how they’re being scored and also the details of (positioning) a flanker, a low player, a bumper,” Tocchet noted. 

The instructions weren’t just on the technical side. They apparently asked each player to view, analyze, digest and provide feedback. The better to read and react in real time, as Tocchet asked the guys to consider the following: “Why is Mark Stone so good low? Why is Jack Eichel and those guys good on the half wall?” 

Find out why Flyers want center prospect Jett Luchanko to "shoot more."

Interesting that their pair of sets shown during the first period in a 2-0 win over Boston last Thursday in their first of two home preseason tilts featured both a 3-1-1 formation and a 2-1-2 formation. No goals, but it was clear there’s something different in store: 

Then, on Saturday, in a 5-1 loss to the Capitals it was another oh-fer but more good motion and reactions. Process over results for now, I guess.

On Sunday, Tocchet strongly hinted that there are other players “competing” for permanent spots on the power play and lightly hinted that the top 5 may not remain a unit with improved play from others.

Without any other context, I think we can assume that all spots on PP2 are up for grabs to start the year. Alex Bump, he of the shoot-from-anywhere ethos -- of whom Tocchet said, cryptically, is a guy who can't receive and process a whole lot of information at once -- is slated for the second unit as well.

“That can kinda amp a power play into getting better, is when there’s competition,” he added. “Sometimes you give (players a no-fault chance to remain in place), they get comfortable. Yorkie (Cam York)  looked pretty good. I think he was one of the better guys moving the puck. He’s in the mix, for sure. And David (Jiricek) and Drysy (Jamie Drysdale).”

You can see York head into uncharted territory just ahead of a power play in Saturday’s game:

Tocchet also emphatically stated the power play, as a function of their whole offensive mindset, needed to generate more open chances and needed to record more shots on goal. 

Part of the improved puck motion appeared to be better reactions by the puck handler, distributor and shooters how to move based on the opposition’s penalty kill. Tocchet said it back in May was the most pressing technical need to solve.

“It’s the one thing we gotta stay on top of,” Tocchet offered. “What’s the read? Is it a box, is it a ‘top-down?’ What happens if the flanker or defensive d is too high, what are we looking to do? We have to get better at that because last year, the reads were a little bit off.”

Accountability doesn’t stop there. Tocchet also expects the improved reads to incorporate better hockey IQ. More than that, he wants off-ice confirmation they’re picking up what they see on ice.

In a move that’s only going to further obsess the chronically online armchair warriors, Tocchet also said he’d be “an idiot” to shake things up if things don’t go well over the first batch of games. For that trust, he’s expecting growth and discipline but also basic hustle and desire even if the process fails.

“They gotta get to the 50-yard-line, too. They gotta do the stuff that we’re asking,” he said. “If they’re not chasing down the puck on a retrieval, that’s a whole different story. I don’t think that’s gonna happen, but there has to be accountability on their side.”

What were the Flyers' 10 Greatest Losses? Find out here.

Yesterday is History

Tomorrow night, the Flyers and Penguins – who are simultaneously celebrating their 60th seasons of operation as two of the six franchises included in the league’s initial 1967 expansion – will face each other in a Philly home opener for the 8th time. 

A recap of the previous ones: 

Oct. 19, 1967 - The very first home game for the expansion Orange and Black saw Bill Sutherland’s third-period marker and 21 saves from Doug Favell stand up in a 1-0 victory.

Oct. 17, 1968 - Brit Selby, a 1966 Calder Trophy winner with Toronto, notched a goal and assist, while Bernie Parent made that margin stand up by halting all 20 pucks he faced in a 3-0 decision. 

Oct. 9, 1980 - The defending Campbell Conference champions began their title defense with a 7-4 decision courtesy of 2 goals from rookie Yves Preston, 2 more from Al Hill and 24 saves from Phil Myre.

Oct. 10, 1991 - The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins topped their hosts, 6-3, on the strength of 2 scores from future ex-Flyers coach Joey Mullen, a goal and two helpers from future ex-Flyers defenseman Paul Coffey and Tom Barrasso’s 18 saves. Brad Jones netted his first goal in his first game with the Flyers.

Oct. 5, 1993 - Buoyed by 8 straight wins to end the previous season, the Flyers squeaked out a 4-3 win after falling behind by 2-0 in the 1st period. Rod Brind’Amour, Eric Lindros and Slava Butsayev scored to erase the deficit, Dmitri Yushkevich provided the winner early in the 3rd.

Jan. 19, 2013 - The NHL returned after a prolonged lockout and the Flyers were a step slow in a 3-1 loss to the Penguins, whose only interesting tidbit happened after the game. A young man  on a tour of the ice-level facilities broke from the pack, went up to the podium in front of the assembled media and got about 3 sentences out before security exited him off the premises.

Jan. 13, 2021 - The truncated COVID schedule pitted these rivals together again, with 2-and-3-game series scheduled to cut down on travel. Six different players, including the late, lamented Nolan Patrick, Oskar Lindblom and Kevin Hayes in a 6-3 triumph. Carter Hart added 31 stops on his winning ledger.

LeBron says he wants to bring 'blueprint' for success to unproven Sixers core

LeBron James officially faced the local media throng at Philadelphia 76ers media day on Monday at the team's practice facility in Camden, and the 23-year professional said he had some lessons to impart that were passed down to him by a Hall-of-Famer.

When asked if Shaquille O'Neal -- James' teammate briefly on the 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers -- had some valuable things to tell him on his own journey that could be passed down to this generation of Sixers struggling to win a second playoff series, he said: 

"I have a lot of experience in this game, obviously, so I hope I can bring that knowledge, bring that blueprint to the guys that's trying to accomplish things they haven't done in their careers," he said. "I've seen everything that this league has to offer on the floor and off the floor.

The message isn't just for Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and others. Apparently King James has something to offer the likes of new acquisition Jaylen Brown, a champion two Junes ago with the Boston Celtics.

"I hope that, every single day with my approach to the game, approach to the work, that it can translate to every single guy -- even the guys that's been able to win at the highest levels."

As far as being a lightning rod for criticism externally or a calm water internally whenever the club eventually goes through a rough stretch this upcoming season, James appeared to want to put himself at the center so his teammates could work through whatever issues arise.

"You never get too high, never get too low. Understand that the noise is gonna be the noise," he offered. "What happens outside this building is going to consistently happen and it's going to be doubled and tripled and quadrupled when I'm here."

Regarding the role he wants for himself, or that which he's discussed with head coach Nick Nurse and his staff, James gamely offered up his services as a Swiss Army knife. His quiet, veteran confidence was on full display in 10 words, with a knowing smile.

"The luxury of my game is, I can do everything," he said.

The 41-year-old native of Akron, Ohio has pretty much done everything one can think of during a career which spans three decades of the 21st century: 22-time NBA All-Star, 21-time All-NBA selection, 6-time All-NBA defensive player, 4-time league MVP, 4-time NBA champion, 2003-04 Rookie of the Year, one of the best of the league's 75-year history and more which true fans could rattle off at the snap of a finger which I don't care to address in this piece.

It's the 4-time NBA champion that will be the thrust of James' work both on and off the court for however long he lasts in Philadelphia. James has won once with Cleveland, twice with Miami and once with the Lakers. The Sixers, however, not including Brown, haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs in 25 years, when the franchise led by Allen Iverson, lost to Shaq's Lakers.

And so maybe take the second knuckle out of your mouth when James talked about still "loving the process" of preparing to play each season. He said he will never get tired of putting in the work -- a word he said more than 20 times in a 17-minute interview -- claiming it is part of his DNA. He also said he won't miss the sacrifices inherent in playing one place while his children are scattered in age and location. 

On Embiid, James said it was a little premature to make any judgments or statements about his role as a mentor since it was his first day within the confines of the organization but he admitted he was "looking forward to seeing what his process is."

James was also looking forward to seeing how Embiid himself defines his pathway to becoming the best version of himself and the best version he can be for the Sixers, given his largest obstacle to both has been nagging injuries which slowed him down and affected how the team performed. 

"As an elder statesman of the team, as a guy who's been through a lot, hopefully I can give him resources and whatever he needs on a day-to-day basis to make him feel more and more comfortable about where he is, where we are, as a team."

To view James' full remarks from earlier today, bang the link.

Former Phils owner, chairman Giles dies at 92

Earlier on Friday, former Philadelphia Phillies owner, general manager and chairman William Y. Giles died at the age of 92.

Giles and a consortium of other investors purchased the franchise from Ruly Carpenter and the Carpenter family following the strike-interrupted 1981 season. 

Son of Warren Giles, who spent periods as team president of the Cincinnati Reds as well as the National League, Bill Giles influenced team history before stepping unto the breach at the highest levels. As a member of the marketing team, he was instrumental in creating the Phillie Phanatic and such spectacles as the Flying Wallendas.

Giles was also a significant factor in convincing Reds star Pete Rose to sign a lucrative free-agent contract with the Phils in the winter of 1978 over several other clubs. 

Below is a statement issued by the team earlier this evening, including remarks from John Middleton on Giles' passing:

A statement on behalf of Phillies Managing Partner and CEO John Middleton: pic.twitter.com/hSUyXXdfNw

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 25, 2026

Vladar suffers arm injury vs. Bruins, listed as day-to-day

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar will apparently not miss significant time after sustaining an apparent injury to his right arm in Tuesday night's 5-1 preseason loss to the Bruins in Boston.

He's officially listed as "day-to-day" by a franchise which notoriously keeps things close to the vest.

Vladar, who started the Flyers' second exhibition contest in as many nights and was scheduled to play the first 2 periods, was forced to leave the game with roughly 6 1/2 minutes remaining in the opening stanza. During a sequence in the Bruins offensive zone, Vladar appears to be run into by B's forward Tanner Jeannot, after which he visibly holds his right arm at his side.

Seconds later, the Bruins scored the first goal of the contest and Vladar was replaced by Alexei Kolosov for the remainder of the contest. 

Following the game, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said there was no update on Vladar's status, only that he was "being evaluated" by team staff. 

Obviously they "dodged a bullet," as Tocchet said when he kicked off a post-practice update among reporters on Wednesday afternoon. 

"He's day-to-day," Tocchet admitted. "He's in good spirits today."

When asked if Vladar would be OK to play in next Wednesday's season opener vs. the Penguins, Tocchet deferred to his opening quote. 

"Could be 48 hours or 72. I don't know," he added.

Vladar suffered a similar injury during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins when Pens forward Bryan Rust tried a similar strafing run through the crease in what ended up a 5-2 Flyers win. 

Vladar did not miss another minute for the entire series and a subsequent loss in the East semis to the Carolina Hurricanes, but the nature of the injury was not disclosed by the team during the playoff run, nor did Vladar elaborate during break-up day in May. 

At that time, he only told the assembled media contingent that the injury would not affect his pending off-season routine.

In large part due to the failure of Sam Ersson to make an impression, this summer Flyers GM Danny Briere traded for Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Joe Woll -- who filled in admirably 2 seasons ago with nominal starter Anthony Stolarz on the shelf -- who might be called upon in relief.

"The one thing we're lucky (about) is, he has an intelligent mind," Tocchet said of Woll. "He studies, even our (penalty kill) and stuff like that. I think he knows how important he is and that he's going to play some games for us."

Tocchet also said he'd be "very comfortable" with Woll stepping in should he need to begin the season in net and play more than originally thought, also admitting that former Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke highly of Woll. 

"We're in good shape with that."

For Woll's part, he was very much understated in his own comments after workouts.

"I think I've proven that I can do that in my career," Woll offered when asked if he was ready to take the reins if needed, from the start of the season. 

"My goal from the start with this team has been to help out wherever I can -- whatever situation that means," he added. "It doesn't really change my process day-to-day or my mindset."

Woll called the acclimatization process with the Flyers "fun challenges" 

The club officially opens the regular season one week from today, at home against the Penguins.

The Flyers have two preseason games remaining, both on home ice, vs. Boston on Thursday night and vs. Washington on Saturday evening. 

'Shoot more:' Why Flyers' want Luchanko to be more selfish

Courtesy of Sportsnet.ca

by Bob Herpen

Phanatic Hockey Editor

Former first-round pick Jett Luchanko will apparently get to play in one place this year and from all indications, it seems like it will be with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 

Prior to the Sept. 12 rookie game in Allentown, his presumed new boss, John Snowden, gassed up the AHL as a prime proving ground. He touted the unique benefits of learning how to play on the doorstep of a legitimate pro career with respect to skating, puckhandling and how much time and space can be utilized in a teaching environment.

“For a player like him, who’s got an offensive upside … we want to push the offense with him because we know he’s responsible and makes the right decisions without the puck,” he noted. “Our job is to continuously show him the opportunities he has offensively and keep pushing the envelope on his ability to create.”

Luchanko’s progress, as the No. 1 suspected media leaker stated last week, has not been “uneven.”  Rather, it’s been downright stunted by his wonky path up and down the amateur and professional ladder. 

Since 2023, he’s been with Guelph in the Ontario Hockey League (head coach Chad Wiseman), Guelph (new head coach Cory Stillman), the Flyers (head coach John Tortorella), the Phantoms (head coach Ian Laperriere), the Flyers (head coach Rick Tocchet), Guelph again (Stillman), traded to Brantford (head coach Jay McKee) now presumably back in Allentown.

Mix in that core/groin/pelvic floor injury which apparently affected him for most of the last two seasons – which wasn’t enough for him to slam on the breaks, for which he underwent surgery that prevented him from auditioning at rookie camp the last 2 years – the truth becomes evident. 

It’s not so much that Luchanko bears all the responsibility to prove himself, but the organization bears a good bit of responsibility for providing a stable environment after putting him through the ringer. 

Nonetheless, the messaging at all times has been that a bona-fide speedy puck-handling center should “shoot more.”  Someone got in Luchanko’s ear in the summer of ‘24 and he himself offered up the need to develop that part of his game to team-friendly beat Adam Kimelman. Ian Laperriere, then the Phantoms head coach, first broached the subject in multiple reports two years ago. 

That core injury Luchanko suffered through? It’s one that affects lower-body positioning needed as a foundation before the upper body activates in a shooting motion – something nobody connected with the club has apparently noticed, or cited, as a mitigating factor. 

Just that he needs to “shoot more.”

One theory I floated last summer, was the revelation that the Flyers, through multiple coaching and front office regimes, have never drafted and developed a single traditional pure goal scorer. That means, centers playing wing, wings playing center and of course, pressure put on centers to be more than simple drivers of forward offensive flow to make up for the deficit.

That column focused on the longer-term issues prevalent in constructing poor power plays, but the logic still stands for what the club expects out of Luchanko by himself.

Given just one chance in front of the media before the rookie series opener on Sept. 11, Luchanko was neither specifically asked about the organization’s wish for him to shoot more, nor did he provide an off-the-cuff answer on the issue when asked about offseason prep.

However, the clearest answers arrived from someone looking in from above – Flyers director of player development Riley Armstrong. 

During an Inquirer-based podcast episode from Sept. 16, Armstrong hit viewers fairly early on with the money quote: “I definitely think, with his speed, his vision, his playmaking, I definitely think he’s gonna ‘pop’ this season.”

At least nobody in the organization is asking Luchanko to sacrifice what he already has, to make room for shooting. 

Armstrong continued: “The one thing that I loved, he went down on a 2-on-1 and I forget who he was with in the game, and I was yelling ‘SHOOT’ and he did shoot. He didn’t score, but I’m glad he shot the puck because that’s something we’ve been preaching to him. He’s always a pass-first kind of guy so, to see him start to build that confidence and get that mindset, is definitely a step in the right direction.” 

And when asked later whether there’s a “hyper-focus” on shooting while giving Luchanko instruction, Armstrong admitted that there is an awareness in opposing players, who are  committed to studying and knowing each other’s tendencies well before puck drop. 

“When you become a ‘pass-first’ guy, goalies figure you out pretty quick,” he said. “We always talk about being a dual threat. Once you start shooting and have the ability to pass, you keep everybody guessing. That’s something we’re trying to push for in his development.”

Sizing up the Kid

If the Flyers braintrust is insistent Luchanko embrace a skill set closer to a top-six or even top-line centers possess, it’s fair to look at some comparable pivots in franchise history.

Pelle Eklund. Eklund arrived in 1985 direct from the Swedish Elite League at age 22 and eventually set a franchise record for assists (51) and points (66) by a rookie center, despite being essentially a spare part for head coach Mike Keenan for the first half of the season. 

Once he gained Keenan’s trust as a fluid skater, reliable passer and counterpart on the power play for Tim Kerr’s still-standing NHL record of 34 power-play goals in a season, his place on the roster was cemented.

As he grew in responsibility and confidence, Eklund’s forte with the puck was something only seen previously in the North American game from Wayne Gretzky – not just control through the neutral zone and blue-line entry, but a way of dictating the offensive flow for his teammates and against defenders while possessing. 

This is what I envision if the franchise wants Luchanko to possess as long as possible while creating his own scoring chance, this gem in Winnipeg from the spring of 1993:

Over his injury-plagued 9 seasons here, Eklund’s best goal-scoring year was 23 in 1989-90. Especially if that coveted 1C role is filled, what’s wrong with only potting 15-to-18 if 50-or-more-assists are right next to it on the ledger?

Mark Recchi. A more traditional Canadian breed of center, one who was equally adept at positioning to intercept passes or turnovers and reversing flow as he was at digging out pucks along the boards and dishing out to start a rush. 

His 53 goals and 123 points in Eric Lindros’ rookie season and expansion year of 1992-93 still stand as single-season team records for centers. Recchi netted 103 goals over his first 190 games with Philly, then came back after an exile on Ste. Catherine Street by recording 20-or-more goals in his 5 full seasons here (1999-2004). 

These are among the prettiest goals in Recchi’s repertoire, a home-ice hattie vs. the Capitals in 2001: 

Mike Richards. Although more widely recognized as a deadly penalty killer who could turn on the jets and create shorthanded chances, Richards did make some bones as a puck-possessing driver of offense and shooter, particularly on the power play. 

His brand of positioning forced the opposition to be mindful of a pivot who could distribute and collect north-south and laterally, like in this goal scored early in the 2009-10 season against the Capitals: 

As the coveted 1C starting in 2007, Richards netted at least 30 goals twice and had 4 straight 20-or-more goals in his final seasons in Orange and Black – numbers he never even chased over the remainder of his career despite two Stanley Cups. Even so, it took 2 years of NHL-level development before those gaudy numbers appeared. 

Claude Giroux. If not when considering both impact and hardware, but definitely for sheer longevity, the second-best center in franchise history was Ground Zero for any debates about the effectiveness of shuttling a player between center and wing. Eight 20-goal seasons and a 34-goal, 100-point performance in the expansion year of 2017-18. 

Giroux was killer with open space, like in 4-on-4 OTs, using a combination of separation speed and shootout-level mind games to fool goaltenders. My guess is they need Jett to look something like this 2018 extra session winner: 

Heading into his 18th full pro season, Giroux ranks 9th in total points among all players since 2005 and is borderline for Hall of Fame consideration alongside Anze Kopitar and John Tavares. Luchanko's ceiling would need to be sky high and his progression so fast, to come close.

Whatever brilliant idea lurks in Armstrong or Briere’s mind and vision, the dress rehearsal was last night in Hershey, when Luchanko was the 2C. The real story should begin to be written starting Oct. 3 at home vs. Hartford.

NHL putting Flyers, league behind eight ball with shortened preseason

by Bob Herpen

Phanatic Hockey Editor

As part of the exchange for adding two games onto each team’s regular-season schedule from 82 to 84, the National Hockey League has reduced the preseason from 6 games to 4 for each club.

With the Flyers training camp set to commence two days from now, there’s only a maximum of 4 full days of preparation on tap before the first exhibition game, Sept. 21 in Hershey against the Washington Capitals.

From there, another road game the next night against the Bruins, before the truncated slate ends with home dates vs. Boston (Sept. 24) and Washington (Sept. 26). Then, the curtain falls for good on Sept. 30 at home against the Penguins.

Forgive the metaphor, but that puts the entire coaching staff and roster-ready players under the gun. Aside from what can be immediately gleaned from the skating and drills and eventual scrimmages that are pre-scheduled, there’s the question of instruction. How changes to whatever system needs tweaking will be approached in a limited window.

And yes, where oh where and when oh when will they get to practice the power play? Rick said they were going to have to figure out how to do it beyond the boundaries of the daily practices…

There’s a whole lotta undue pressure coming for all 32 coaching staffs, so don’t bother complaining specifically about what the Flyers staff did or didn’t do, or didn’t do well enough. What has a better chance of distinguishing a solid start to the NHL regular season vs. an NFL model where the starters are up to speed in the first couple weeks, will be the amount of pre-camp prep from on-and-off-ice personnel. 

Note, we don’t actually know what that is because, at least the Flyers coaches would consider this type of info “state secrets” so we’ll have to act surprised whichever way things turn out.

I think there’s actually a technical term in German for what’s coming: Scheisseschau.

Nothing is ever going to be the same, but there was an element of looseness and fun in what was each team’s exhibition schedule, up until about 20 years ago. Camp lasted 2 1/2 weeks or more. Teams played anywhere from 8 to 10 games, often back-to-back multiple times, sometimes in far flung neutral sites or on rinks of American Hockey League affiliates, and mayhem often ensued. 

It was a long-form, low-pressure chance for coaching staffs to take what was written on the whiteboard and practiced in solitude and execute it in real time with a variety of lineups. There used to be guys who had their roster spots cemented who played half the games. Guys on the bubble who played the other half. And the rink rats, the dudes on the fringes still holding on in the AHL or IHL who provided a sideshow with fisticuffs if it proved to be the last time they’d wear an NHL uniform. 

It was often structured like Spring Training; off day on Thursday where coaches formulate game plans, play in Orlando against the Red Wings on a Friday night and have a scrappy lineup led by the head assistant register a couple fights and 100 penalty minutes in a 7-4 game, then return for a local TV engagement Saturday on home ice with a hungry squad and the head coach presiding in front of 10,000 ticket holders and send ‘em home happy with a crisp 5-2 win over the Islanders. 

Then, on Sunday, play a full-squad match against the Devils, or Rangers to best simulate real-game situations. Lather, rinse, repeat. Monday, rest or light workouts with instruction. 

Split the squad again for games Tuesday in Providence against the Bruins and then Wednesday at Rochester vs. the Sabres and expect a touch of anarchy. Maybe mix in a full-roster game vs. the Bears or Phantoms in Philadelphia so the kids get a full and fair chance to see what NHL-level talent requires.

Surprises abounded without such strict controls. In 2005, the Flyers rallied from a 5-1 deficit against the Capitals – including 5 goals in a wild third period – to win, 7-6, in overtime and nobody complained. Where has that been, like, ever since? 

The next year, Pens rookie Evgeni Malkin made his NHL debut, tried a body check in Halifax and ended up slamming into John LeClair. How can we forget Steve Downie making like an ICBM and blowing up Dean McAmmond in 2007? 

Well, the league has rightfully cleaned up a significant amount of that clownery, but what’s emerged over the years has taken on the form of a sanitized appetizer to the 6-month regular season grind. Games shifted from “exhibitions” to “preseason” when used largely as real-time gauges for roster spots and proof that tweaks to systems introduced at the start of camp worked or not.

Under the current system, veterans are restricted to participating in 2 games maximum.

You watch. Maybe the Flyers would have a 5-4 game thrown into the mix, but my guess is “low-event” hockey will result in low-score games for those that don’t count before the games that do. 

Besides, there’s no indication otherwise until I see it with my own eyes either on Thursday or Saturday in Voorhees. Tocchet hasn’t spoken publicly yet, and Danny Briere went on Nasty Knuckles podcast over the weekend and offered nothing in terms of what to expect during camp or the limited preseason competition. I hope the plan is for a good mixture of each rather than just basic blocks of 2 and 2.

You know who could benefit from the old, less pressurized system? Current NHL and AHL guys on whatever fringe exists, like Zayde Wisdom. Garrett Wilson. Oliver Bonk. Devin Kaplan. Cole Knuble. Jett Luchanko. Denver Barkey. Alex Bump. Porter Martone.

Give the NHL hopefuls a long, 60-minute look against their impending competition instead of locking them into a softball two-game series against equal skill and experience level meant to goose pre-camp content levels and prospect promotional opportunities.

When asked on Saturday in Allentown if he was trying to make a point to the front office about his abilities in the rookie game, Bump certainly gave a canned, NHL-ready response: “For sure. It’s kinda getting to that time where you gotta make an impression. Don’t overcomplicate (things). Don’t overthink it. What’s best is to go out and play my game.”

And, in light of the follow-up question about whether Bump could draw from what he knew about playing in the NHL at the end of last year and apply it to the rookie series I have to ask – what is he doing back with the kids, anyway? 

Here’s where the Flyers front office – with a little foresight – can create a ramp to success: if you’re a prospect who plays in more than one rookie series, you’re automatically promoted to competing for a spot in any of the four NHL-level preseason games. 

That certainly fits in Bump’s case, and for Barkey, who admitted after Friday’s rookie opener that he’s been there long enough the first-timers are leaning on him like a veteran to get the hang of it all.

Due to the compressed timeline, I'd really hate to think the first few days at Skate Zone will be nothing more than teachers expressing pleasure or frustration once they find out which of the students did or didn't attend to their summer reading list - with attendant rewards or punishments.

For the rest of the squad, some grace. And the less you think about the success of the preseason depending on their actual game record, the better. Or, if you can’t help it, I can get ya into an Eagles support group. 

Catch Phanatic Mag's founder John McMullen with his Eagles' day-after show

The Philadelphia Eagles opened up their 2026 regular season with another narrow win against the Washington Commanders.

Catch Phanatic founder John McMullen on his Monday morning show here: 

Or, when either technology fails or I get in trouble by reproducing the video, by clicking the link. 

Eagles need to think hard about succession plan for Reese

Courtesy of Philly Voice

by Bob Herpen

Phanatic Magazine

Once the airwaves crackle on 94 WIP at 4:25 pm sharp with the sound of an aged baritone, when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field, Merrill Reese will officially kick off his 50th season as play-by-play voice. 

He’s lapped the field so hard, he’s coming up behind everyone else.

The Dean, Bill Campbell, amassed more than 5 decades on the air in a variety of roles but never that long in one spot calling one team. Andy Musser, same thing over 4 decades. Richie Ashburn was a multi-generational fixture in baseball but wasn’t even close. Larry Andersen’s working on almost 30 years’ service as the goofball-in-chief on Phillies telecasts. Gene Hart only made it to 28 years with the Flyers. Marc Zumoff bid happy trails at the 27-year mark in 2021.

In his July 15 Substack post, former Eagles beat writer Paul Domowitch never really got to the point. After waxing poetic about a pair of Air Jordans and allowing Reese the space to confirm his robust sight, speech, memory and vigor for his job before delving into the tragic circumstances which led to his tenure as play-by-play icon – there was no hint that the end is close. 

It’s OK to give a legend his flowers, but let’s not be blinded by the elephant in the room if his eyes are sealed shut due to allergens in the bouquet. And if not done correctly, the path towards Reese’s eventual retirement will be a stain on the Eagles franchise that will linger a long time.

All concerned parties need to take lessons from two pivot points in Philadelphia broadcasting history.

The first occurred less than a year ago, when legendary WMMR midday magician Pierre Robert died in his sleep, sometime before his scheduled shift on Oct. 29. Robert, who’d been on the air here since 1981 in a variety of roles throughout the broadcast day, who appeared to be in the best of health, and who was saved from the Beasley Brothers’ chopping block just 3 years prior, had some years left on his current contract and so much more life to live. He was 70 years old. 

At a legacy rock station which simultaneously targets the 12-plus and 25-to-54 demographics, there should already have been a plan in place to send Robert into the sunset, an exit plan more appropriate than simply walking away at the end of his deal. 

When his untimely passing caught everyone off guard, instead of undergoing a search for comparable and younger talent, WMMR was forced to pull an old name and voice back from the void – Matt Cord – who’d been shifted to WMGK’s older classic-rock demographic about a decade prior.

Sports fans attuned to events outside the Delaware Valley can look to what the San Francisco Giants are dealing with, as longtime broadcaster Mike Krukow announced his retirement, during the first week of August, effective the end of the season. Already unable to make Eastern road trips due to a progressive muscle disorder, the 74-year-old – who pitched for the Phillies in 1982 amidst his 14-year career – has received kudos from every corner of the Bay Area and within the game itself. 

Although his farewell tour will last the final 50 games or so of a lost Giants campaign, he’s fully present for it. 

The second is ol’ Harry and Whitey. That old-time Phillies double act which opened every spring and closed every fall between 1971 and 1997. Neither of them received the proper farewell they so richly deserved in life after growing in reputation as the soundtrack to generations. Both died, from heart attacks, on the road. One with a season almost finished, the other with one just underway. They were both in their 70s when a higher authority suddenly decided they were needed elsewhere in the cosmos.

We all know Philadelphia’s reputation. If you do right by us, we’ll do right by you. If you come from away and want to make your home here, we’ll embrace you like born-and-bred natives. 

But the downside to the positive spin on provinciality is the comfort which creeps in and morphs into complacency over the long haul. And that complacency often manifests itself as misdirected anger when change occurs. 

In a strange way, death smooths over any fallout from impending painful personnel decisions that have to be made with the public’s opinion riding in the passenger seat. 

There are countless thousands of Eagles fans who cannot envision their weekends without Merrill Reese. But life moves on and the older one gets, the less is guaranteed day to day. Merrill is 84 and, miraculously, still chugging along. That’s a lotta luck attached to good living. 

And while we’d all like to see him live to be 120, no one is eternally NFL Sunday sharp. Broadcasters lose something after about age 60. Their creativity. Their invention. Their speed and timing. I think the Eagles going through a decade of almost continual winning has helped things along, eventually that will come home to roost and there will be another rut of losing. 

Can you seriously imagine a propped-up Reese, at age 90, jolted awake for one last “It’s GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!” on a dreary November Sunday for a 6-11 team?

Old heads remember how Hart clearly lost his timing and vision when the Flyers – stuck in a pit of subpar years without playoff berths and in need of a spiritual boost – brought him back from radio only to TV from 1993 to 1995. There are still many fans negatively vocal about Zumoff’s replacement, Kate Scott, 5 years on. 

Unless something is completely askew, it’s a foregone conclusion Merrill won’t tell anyone he thinks it’s time to go. He’s more than earned the right to call his shot – so long as *he* realizes it eventually needs to be called.

But he hasn’t earned the right to tell anyone in the organization their recommendations aren’t suitable – short of “this is your last year, like it or lump it.”

Reese will be officially honored by the Eagles during their Nov. 8 home game vs. the Giants for his half century of service. That would be a perfect time to make his call, or to have the team announce the structure of a phase out.

Whenever that day comes, don’t mourn. Don’t be angry. Don’t melt the phone lines at WIP or dogpile on social media in a vicious smear campaign. 

Reese has so many accolades trailing behind him that his road to retirement would look more like a smooth red carpet than the Belmont Avenue bridge in April after a snowy winter. Eagles Hall of Fame in 2016. Rozelle Award winner at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. Even a Louis Braille Award for services to the blind and visually impaired from 2013. Called four Super Bowls, two victories. Recognition as the longest tenured PBP voice in NFL history. 

The only lingering question about his legacy should be: who has the guts and vision to make a graceful exit work?

Disclaimer: I worked for Merrill Reese at his Bucks County AM radio station in multiple capacities between 2004 and 2006.

Graham says he's done with football...again

According to a story published this morning in the Inquirer, Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham has apparently called it quits from professional football for a second time.

If it's true, Graham will hit the dusty trail as the franchises' all-time leader in games played at 215.

The former University of Michigan product, born and raised in Detroit, was taken by the Birds with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and spent all but one season of his storied career as a DE -- that being 2015 when he was switched to the outside linebacker spot. 

In all, Graham racked up 363 solo tackles, 23 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries and 1 returned for a touchdown over 16 seasons. 

Inarguably, his greatest single play with the Eagles came in the waning moments of Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, where his strip-sack of Patriots QB Tom Brady shifted momentum and led to the Jake Elliott field goal which provided the final margin in a 41-33 victory.

Graham had initially announced he was done following the 2024 season, but ducked back in last year to appear in 9 games. The Eagles made this subsequent decision easier when they officially released him back on June 2.

This announcement heralds a continuing changing of the guard for the Eagles' offensive and defensive lines, as Lane Johnson strongly hinted a month ago that 2026 would be his final pro campaign. 

Luzardo named National League Pitcher of the Month for August

Major League Baseball announced that Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for August. 

He's the second Phils hurler to get the nod, after Cristopher Sanchez was rewarded back in May during his 50-plus scoreless inning streak.

Luzardo finished the season's most recent calendar portion with a 3-0 record and 1.31 earned-run average over 5 starts, including 46 strikeouts and 9 walks against 21 hits allowed over 32 1/3 innings pitched, while holding opponents to a paltry .172 batting average.

Overall, the 28-year-old native of Peru has compiled a 13-5 mark and ERA of 3.02 with 209 Ks and 51 walks over 169 2/3 innings in 2026. 

Luzardo is just one of 12 Phillies pitchers to record multiple seasons of 200-or-more strikeouts, after: Steve Carlton, Aaron Nola, Jim Bunning, Curt Schilling, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Zach Wheeler, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Cristopher Sanchez, Roy Halladay and Chris Short.

In his next start, scheduled for Monday afternoon vs. the Atlanta Braves, he can match or set a new career high for strikeouts in a single season (216), initially set last season.