I’m not saying the Flyers should panic and call all three up, especially when Luchanko and Knuble can play major minutes in the AHL. But it’s hard not to notice that the Flyers are struggling with a lot of what this line gave them during preseason.

Their preseason production:

Gaucher: 2 GP — 1G, 1A, 2P, 4 SOG
Knuble: 3 GP — 2G, 1A, 3P, 7+ SOG
Luchanko: 3 GP — 0G, 3A, 3P, 3 SOG

It wasn’t just production, either.

Knuble was constantly pressuring defenders and extending possessions. In one Boston game he led the Flyers with 7 individual shot attempts, 0.51 ixG and 2 high-danger chances. Tocchet described him as “tenacious,” good with the puck and willing to take it to the net.

Luchanko was doing what he does best: using his speed through the neutral zone, attacking with possession and making quick plays at pace. Reports specifically highlighted how well he and Knuble were processing the game together.

And Gaucher wasn’t just the big guy riding shotgun. Against Boston he took the puck from the defensive end, beat a defenseman wide and scored on Swayman. At 6’4”, 225, he also gave the other two a legitimate cycle/puck-protection presence.

When all three played together in the final Boston game, they controlled 84.77% of the expected goals, the best Flyers line by that metric. Knuble’s goal was basically a perfect example of how they complemented each other: Luchanko attacked the net, Gaucher kept the possession alive, Knuble went to the crease and buried the rebound.

Tocchet said afterward:

“They’re stacking some good games together.”

And specifically said Knuble was playing really well, Luchanko was improving every game and “they’re pushing.”

Flyers fans were seeing it too. People were talking about their processing, pace, chemistry and how consistently the line seemed to create something when it was on the ice.

Then all three were sent to Lehigh Valley.

Now the Flyers are 0-1-2 and have been outshot 122-62 through three games:

PIT: 38-19
NJD: 44-25
CAR: 40-18

Tocchet is already publicly criticizing the execution.

And that’s why this line is relevant. The Flyers are struggling to transition through pressure, sustain possession, win enough pucks back and consistently get to dangerous areas.

Those were basically the defining traits of this line.

Then in their first AHL game:

Gaucher: 6 shots — 0.82 xG, 2G
Knuble: 4 shots — 0.52 xG
Luchanko: 2 shots — 0.29 xG, 1A

Combined: 12 shots, 1.63 xG, 2G, 1A.

Lehigh Valley generated 3.10 xG as a team, so those three accounted for roughly 53% of the team’s expected offense.

And despite losing 5-2, LV controlled 58.1% of xG, 62.5% of scoring chances and 80% of high-danger chances. Kolosov allowed four goals on 2.24 xGA and finished at -1.76 GSAx before the empty-netter.

It’s three NHL games and one AHL game. I’m not saying call them all up tomorrow.

But they weren’t sent down because they failed their NHL auditions. They were legitimately driving play, Tocchet publicly said they were pushing people, and now they’re immediately driving play in Lehigh Valley while the NHL team is struggling with the exact areas where they were effective.

If both trends continue, I think the roster conversation gets pretty interesting pretty quickly.

Wish they got a new goal song this season...

In OT ghost touches the puck, she asks “do you regret getting his jersey?” About 2 seconds later he scores.

With Rasmus Ristolainen leaving the Carolina game with an upper-body injury, I think Hunter McDonald deserves serious consideration if the Flyers need a call-up.

Not because he’s a better prospect than Oliver Bonk, but because he might be the closest stylistic replacement for what Ristolainen actually does.

McDonald is 6’4”, ~235 pounds and a defensive defenseman at heart, but he skates extremely well for his size. He closes gaps aggressively, uses his body and reach to end possessions, sticks up for teammates, and generally isn’t taking himself out of position just to chase hits.

We’ve already seen it translate to the NHL.

In Game 82 against Montreal last season, McDonald made his NHL debut and finished with:

15:11 TOI — 1A — +3 — 5 hits

His assist came on a play that basically summarizes his game. He closed on Jake Evans along the wall, crushed him cleanly and separated him from the puck. Michkov recovered it and found Oliver Bonk for the goal.

Bonk finished that game with 1G, 1A, while McDonald had 1A, +3 and 5 hits. They complemented each other extremely well because McDonald gave Bonk the freedom to activate.

McDonald continued making an impression this preseason.

2 GP — 0G — 1A — 1P

Against Washington, he contributed to a Knuble goal and had the huge clean hit on Ryan Leonard that caused Andrew Cristall to retaliate and get tossed.

And in Lehigh Valley’s opener:

2 shots — 0.28 ixG — 1 high-danger chance — +1 — 0 PIM

That’s why I think he’s particularly interesting next to David Jiříček.

Jiříček is 6’4”, but he’s much more offensively inclined than his build suggests. He had 13 points in 15 AHL games last season and wants to activate and use his shot. McDonald could give him the same kind of defensive safety valve he gave Bonk.

And I don’t think Bonk should automatically be the call-up because he’s a first-round pick.

Bonk is smart, safe and excellent at recognizing when to activate offensively. But during preseason I thought he still looked hesitant initiating transition. He’d retrieve the puck behind the net and sometimes take an extra second deciding whether to skate or pass. He doesn’t have Sanheim’s skating or assertiveness yet.

That’s fine. He’s 21. He’s not a finished product.

His first AHL game was also quiet: 0 shots, 0.00 ixG, -1 and 2 PIM, with his penalty preceding Hartford’s tying power-play goal.

This isn’t McDonald > Bonk as a prospect.

It’s about fit.

If Ristolainen misses time, the Flyers lose a big, mobile defensive defenseman who closes gaps, plays physically, ends possessions and allows his partner to be more aggressive.

That’s basically Hunter McDonald’s game.

Don’t make the decision based on draft pedigree. Make it based on what the lineup actually needs.

Michkov - looked great, took a penalty but I think we expect that at this point

Martone - I am not worried about this kid at all. Last season was no fluke, this kid has the goods. This is exactly what happens when you are a projected Calder favorite. Teams have watched film on him and have learned where he likes to go on the ice. He will adapt and be fine.

Woll - Fantastic again. We really lucked out getting him, not sure what Toronto didn't like about him

Dvorak - Third horrible game for him in a row. He gives up the first goal in the opening seconds and it only got worse from there. He was like a black hole on the ice for the Flyers. Whenever the puck went near him it was bound to be a turnover or a giveaway. He's one year older, let's hope he just needs a few games to get the rust off

Coots - honestly surprised Coots was able to carry over his excellent late season play, impressive for his age

TK - Same exact TK we've seen year after year. Which is a good thing for the most part. He seems to be hustling and trying every shift. He's good for a bad turnover or two but that's literally always been his game

Tippet - Looked great. Gaining confidence and I'm surprised to see him so willing to get physical after all those off season repairs.

Zegras - he has to be better. He just has to. We need offense from him and at this point I expect it.

Jiricek - Had an outstanding game. Several dangerous shots on net and several good defensive plays. He was our most visible defenseman.

Seeler - He was alright. I thought he went down way too easy on that last play. Like it's overtime there are only 3 ppl to track on the ice and he somehow gets blindsided with that crosscheck.

Bump - send him back down, I've seen enough. Even playing with the most stable player on the team as his center he seems completely lost. Completely invisible in the O zone when that's supposed to be his bread and butter and a complete liability on the back end. He just doesn't look like an NHL player.

Grundstrom - looked great, faster than usual and pretty physical

Foerster - Great game. Didn't score but this is excellent. if he plays like this every game he will start to rack up the goals.

Tocchet - still looks like a dumb fuck in those glasses. Are we sure they aren't cutting off circulation in the sides of his head? They look tight as hell

That's a legit elite talent that many consider a future top pairing D. 6'5, skates great & has a lot to like & already playing big minutes.

Uhh, yes please. Would cost a lot but that would certainly check a box.

Pep Guardiola, old manager of Manchester City, once said "Team culture isn't about when you're playing well. It's about when you're playing badly, how you build from that, and respond."

Flyers have not gotten off to the start anyone would like to see. It’s still a long season ahead. We saw the Buffalo Sabres go from last in their division to first in the Atlantic Division last year.

This is the true test this season. Can they right the ship and get back to playing playoff caliber hockey?

I still have faith. I think we’re seeing little moments of team development. Here’s hoping we see some more strides ahead. Let’s go Flyers.

Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-1) @ Philadelphia Flyers (0-1-2)

Game Status: Final/OT: 3 - 2 Hurricanes

• Game Time: Sat, Oct 3, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT
• Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena
• TV: Hurricanes: CARNHL, HHN, Flyers: NBCSP
• NHL GameCenter

Game Summaries

• Game Summary
• Event Summary
• Play by Play
• Face Off Summary Comparison
• Rosters
• Shot Summary
• Shift Chart
• TOI Report: Hurricanes Flyers

Stars of the Game

• First Star: S. Gostisbehere (CAR) Goals: 1, Assists: 0
• Second Star: S. Aho (CAR) Goals: 2, Assists: 1
• Third Star: O. Tippett (PHI) Goals: 1, Assists: 0

Linescore

Scoring Summary

Penalty Summary

Game Stats

Metropolitan Division Standings

Metropolitan Division Scoreboard

Next Flyers Game: Mon, Oct 5, 7:00 PM EDT @ Lightning (1 day)

^{Last Updated: 10/04/2026 12:00:51 AM EDT}

Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-1) @ Philadelphia Flyers (0-1-2)

• Game Time: Sat, Oct 3, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EDT
• Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena
• TV: Hurricanes: CARNHL, HHN, Flyers: NBCSP
• NHL GameCenter

Game Summaries

• Game Summary
• Event Summary
• Play by Play
• Face Off Summary Comparison
• Rosters
• Shot Summary
• Shift Chart
• TOI Report: Hurricanes Flyers

Game Status: Final/OT: 3 - 2 Hurricanes

Linescore

Scoring Summary

Penalty Summary

Stars of the Game

• First Star: S. Gostisbehere (CAR) Goals: 1, Assists: 0
• Second Star: S. Aho (CAR) Goals: 2, Assists: 1
• Third Star: O. Tippett (PHI) Goals: 1, Assists: 0

Game Stats

Metropolitan Division Standings

Metropolitan Division Scoreboard

Next Flyers Game: Mon, Oct 5, 7:00 PM EDT @ Lightning (1 day)

^{Last Updated: 10/04/2026 12:00:50 AM EDT}

This is my 10th season as a Flyers fan, and I can't remember ever seeing them look so sloppy. I say this after watching the 1st two games against Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and now the 1st period vs Carolina. I recently thought maybe their performance can be tied to bad chemistry. The reason I say this is:

- there are so many missed passes: TK one-time feed too fast for Foerster, and Dvorak touch pass try to Michkov (Aho goal)

- players have ran into each other (I feel more than usual, could be wrong)

- the line change when everyone changed at once while Pittsburgh had possession and got a breakaway goal

- the shots against: 38 from Pittsburgh, 44 from New Jersey, and Carolina on pace for 39

They seem to largely lack chemistry and not be on the same page with their line mates, maybe different combinations could fix this.

Does anyone feel that this is possibly to blame for their early struggles? or believe this isn't an issue?

I can kind of understand starting the season with Benoit over Jiricek….but how the hell has Grundstrom been playing over Knuble???

She's spot on. It is dumbfounding how bad they are at the simplest of things... Passing! They can't even make a 5 foot pass cleanly.

Like what the hell were they doing the final days of practice before the season started?

Most alarming is they pretty much play every other day all month. There's very little practice days available.