With the 2025-26 season less than halfway completed, the Philadelphia Flyers have already transformed significantly from the team they began with. Previously, Flyers GM Danny Briere highlighted Zeev Bouium’s stature—comparable to players like Cam York, Emil Andrei, and Jamie Drysdale—as a key reason for choosing Jett Luchanko instead. However, 23-year-old Andre, who didn’t even make the Flyers roster this season despite a solid 2024-25 performance, has now become one of coach Rick Tocchet’s standout defenders. Andre, standing 5-foot-9, has scored nine goals in 24 games, surpassing last season’s seven points in 42 games. In contrast, Adam Ginning and Egor Zamula remain in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms despite their chances to play for the Flyers.
Meanwhile, former Flyers coach John Tortorella has paused talks about returning to NHL coaching, signaling uncertainty in his future. The Flyers’ approach seems to have shifted from emphasizing size, as evidenced by the impressive NHL debut of the 5-foot-9 Denver Berkey. The 20-year-old, called up from the AHL after Christian Dvorak’s injury, made a strong case with two assists while playing alongside top forwards Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett. Berkey, once captain of the OHL London Knights, was a standout in Flyers training camp along with Nikita Grebenkin.
Similarly, 2023 third-round pick Ty Murchison showcased his value as a dynamic defenseman who, despite his size, plays with poise and a calm approach on both ends of the ice. The Flyers currently have two more players under 5-foot-10 than at the season’s start, and this shift has yielded positive results so far. Although a subpar effort from Sam Arson affected Berkey’s debut in a 5-4 shootout loss, the team’s willingness to back their skilled players despite perceived limitations suggests promising results ahead.
Fan Take: This shift away from size-based selections to valuing skill and agility highlights a broader evolution in hockey strategy, favoring speed and finesse over sheer physicality. For Flyers fans and hockey followers, it signals a refreshing change that could lead to more exciting, fast-paced gameplay and greater opportunities for talented smaller players.
