After Rich Tocchet’s arrival, Flyers forward drops hint on 2026 playoff push amid offseason shakeup

The Philadelphia Flyers‘ NHL offseason has been anything but quiet. With Rich Tocchet stepping into a key leadership role, the franchise appears to be signaling a shift in mindset—and perhaps, ambition.

Among the first to acknowledge that cultural change was the Flyers forward Noah Cates, who has emerged as one of the club’s most observant voices in the locker room. As the Flyers continue to reshape their roster and redefine their goals, Cates’ recent comments sparked attention throughout the fanbase.

“We were close a couple of years ago, and we just kind of faltered last year,” Cates said, via NHL.com. “That’s behind us. We’ve got a lot of new faces, and just the newness of the organization and the season. I think we can bounce back if everyone can have a better year and push themselves, then I think that playoff push is right there for us.”

Is Tocchet’s influence already shaping the Flyers’ locker room?

The arrival of Tocchet, a former Flyer himself and highly respected coach, has brought credibility and structure to an organization still reeling from recent underachievement. His reputation for discipline and direct communication has been well-documented, and early signs suggest he’s already left a mark.

Noah Cates #27 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Wells Fargo Center on December 21, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

“First of all, it’s just a new voice,” he noted. “He played hard. He was a Flyer, so I think that means a lot. That means something. I’ve heard a lot of good things and just to get to work with him and have the new fresh ideas, plus the new fresh faces around, there’s so much to be excited about come September.”

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Can Philadelphia realistically target a 2026 playoff run?

The idea of a 2026 playoff appearance may have seemed optimistic just months ago, but the organizational overhaul—on and off the ice—has reinvigorated internal belief. While Cates’ statement may not have been an outright guarantee, it revealed a confidence not previously seen from Flyers leadership.

“The fact that they locked me up for four more years and just to know where the franchise is at, where we’ve been the past couple of years and where we’re looking at going, it’s super exciting.” He added.