How Knuble Has Impressed Tocchet, Teammates With ‘guts And Courage'

How Knuble has impressed Tocchet, teammates with ‘guts and courage' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VOORHEES, N.J. — Cole Knuble absorbed some serious licks in his first two NHL games.

The hits were so heavy and loud, they caught the attention of the Flyers in a few ways.

In concern, but also admiration.

“He may not want to take those hits every game,” Travis Sanheim said with a laugh Friday after practice.

But the Flyers know the fearlessness of the 5-foot-10 Knuble has been a good thing. The 22-year-old forward will take a hit to make a play. He’ll attack the net without hesitation. And that has all led to early success.

In just his second NHL game, Knuble scored his first two goals, helping lead the Flyers to a 3-1 win Wednesday night over the Sabres. Both plays came right around the net.

“I think it’s just the style that he plays, he wants to go to those areas,” Sanheim said. “He competes at a high level and isn’t afraid out there as a young guy. He does a lot of the little things right, his attention to detail is great. It was nice to see him get two the other night.”

Knuble has been a riser in the Flyers’ system. The 2023 fourth-round pick opened eyes in training camp and the preseason. He has already made an impact with the big club after being called up four days ago.

Not only has he scored a couple of goals, but he has also made winning type of plays late in the game. Ones that have required a beating on the body. Knuble has clearly embraced a bottom-six role. He has played 12:04 minutes per game, but Rick Tocchet didn’t rule out an increase in ice time.

“The thing with him, he can probably get more,” Tocchet said. “He will get more if he continues his path. But he has embraced who he is — he’s a hard forechecking guy. … He has taken the puck to the net more than anybody. He has taken three huge hits. That’s the one thing I’ve got to talk to him about. But twice he made a play, he knew he was going to get hit to make the play. That takes a lot of guts and courage.

“For him, just continue that path and then minutes will come, position will come up higher in the lineup if you continue to embrace who you are. Which he is.”

In the third period of his NHL debut Monday night, Knuble made a strong play to the net. But when he arrived there with the puck, he was flattened by a check from Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson.

Trevor Zegras couldn’t help but smile Friday when he was asked about Knuble’s moxie. His suggestion to the youngster was occasionally slowing down and finding the trailer.

“I was telling him, ‘Just pull up and hit the late guy sometimes,'” Zegras said with a laugh. “He doesn’t need to put his body on the line in every situation. But for a young guy to get to those areas and those spots, it’s pretty amazing.”

Knuble’s third game should be a fun atmosphere. The Flyers on Saturday welcome the Ducks to Xfinity Mobile Arena (1 p.m. ET/NBCSP). The two teams have become a budding rivalry, ignited by Cutter Gauthier’s refusal to play for the Flyers. Zegras, a former Duck, added a chapter to the rivalry last season.

This summer, there was another element with the Flyers’ offer sheet to Leo Carlsson. Anaheim ended up matching the offer to keep its franchise center from leaving for the Flyers.

“As players, you kind of just wait and see what happens,” Zegras said. “I mean, we never really had him. It would’ve been cool, but it didn’t work out, so it is what it is.”

The Flyers are expecting a lively crowd Saturday.

“We came in this morning, a lot of us were talking about it in the room,” Denver Barkey said. “Just remember last year’s game, how intense that was. There’s a little bit more to it this year again I think. We’re all looking forward to it, it’s a big game, Saturday, 1 o’clock, can’t beat it. Get a good sleep tonight, we’ll be ready tomorrow.”