Jun 18, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) reaches for the puck on an empty net attempt on goal by Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) during the third period in game five of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
*Folks! It's been a busy weekend somehow and we've got a lot to catch up on. At the top of that list, a whole lot of new coach related happenings and musings. First up: Danny Briere and new head coach Rick Tocchet met with the media for the first time since the hiring on Friday, and here's the big highlight of what was said. [BSH]
*And some more from the new head coach -- a bit of insight into his hopes and strategies for this new team. [Inquirer]
*From a Canucks watcher point of view, here's what we might expect to see from Tocchet as he begins his Flyers tenure. [BSH]
*So like. This kind of feels like an old boys club hire, but is it really? [PHLY]
*Also, is this Flyers roster the best one he's had at his disposal in his head coaching career? [BSH]
*Tocchet might well help the Flyers strike a balance here between tapping into some of the positive Tortorella-like qualities, while being able to make some headways in areas where he was lagging. [PHLY]
*The Tocchet hiring also, of course, meant that Brad Shaw opted not to stick around after losing out on a job that he really wanted. [BSH]
*We're continuing to roll through our season grades over here, and this weekend we officially closed the book on the Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee chapters.
*Finally, the draft board presses on! On Friday, we were introduced to fun, sniping (but still well-rounded) Ben Kindel. [BSH]
*And then on Saturday we added a big right shooting defenseman to the mix in Logan Hensler. [BSH]
*And yesterday Braeden Cootes, a center who plays simply such an ideal Flyers game, joined the board. Who will be next! [BSH]