In this context, Briere clarified an earlier comment he made during the offseason. It's not OK for the team to take a backward step after last season's progress. Rather, there's a danger that comes with not understanding how pressure increases along with greater expectations and attention.
"The part that keeps me up at night is having some of your players feel complacent, feel like they've made it," Briere said.
The general manager's comments echo something head coach Rick Tocchet told Flyers Daily host Jason Myrtetetus during the pre-camp coaches' symposium: Things only get harder -- not easier -- once there's been a taste of success.
As such, Briere said increased teamwide maturity -- in the form of mental toughness -- is the first step toward improving from 2025-26. That will be measured in areas like playing from ahead more often (scoring the first goal), record against Metro Division teams, coming through on must-score power plays (even if earlier ones didn't go well), and winning more games in regulation rather than in 3-on-3 or especially by shootout.
Three other key factors:
Rookies and Second-Year Pros
Briere said that youngsters who've seen some NHL success -- making the big team roster, scoring some goals, seeing their first playoff action, etc. -- are at the top of the list for needing to grasp what it takes to move from "surprise playoff team" to a club that proves it belongs.
"Let's face it, we're still a young team. We've had guys that had success last year (but need to keep progressing)," Briere said.
Briere used Matvei Michkov's rookie year vs. his 2025-26 season as an example
“You saw what happened with Matvei. He had a lot of success the first year, but it's tougher the second year," the GM said.
Michkov himself seemed to learn that lesson. Many of his young teammates now face the same challenge. The league has adjusted to their abilities, so the players have to counter-adjust.
"We had guys like Porter Martone who came in late and had a lot of success, helped us get in the playoffs, performed very well, also helped us win a round. You have guys like [Alex] Bump and [Denver] Barkey who had success in the second half of the year," Briere noted.
If the Flyers youth core navigates the process successfully in 2026-27, it bodes well for the entire team. In reality, every player has a different path. Saying one is ready for the challenge is not always a guarantee of actual readiness.
Michkov Year 3 Surge
Specific to Michkov, the gifted young Russian winger passed his first test toward truly blossoming in 2026-26. He took his physical conditioning program very seriously and reported in immensely better condition than last September.
From a strictly physical readiness standpoint, Michkov set himself in position to have a strong camp and quick start to the regular season. His stamina and quickness should be better than the first half of last season.
"You saw what he did even during the Olympic breaks,” Briere said. “Even though he didn't have a lot of time, he completely changed what he was thinking of doing, just going on vacation and having fun. He decided to take care of himself, and it showed in the last stretch of the season,
The other parts of the equation remain to be seen -- aspects of ice-on decision making such as offensive zone entry strategy, defensive zone exit reads and puck support remain opportunities for improvement.
Briere expressed optimism that Michkov is ready to make these adjustments, too. The player seems aware of why he was scratched twice during the playoffs. It wasn't a points issue per se. It was about attention to certain details. The player seems eager to add more elements while still being creative offensively.
"Seeing him here (now), he's got a pep in his step, he feels good, he looks good, so I'm excited about Matvei's season," Briere said.
Staying healthy
Briere started out his press conference with a team health report. With the exception of Nikita Grebenkin, who starts out on a day-to-day basis per the general manager, the full roster should be ready to take the ice on Day One of camp.
It's impossible to predict when -- or how severely -- the injury bug may bite. Briere said that, while "next man up mentality" is an overused phrase -- it's also a fact of life for dealing with a season.
"(Adversity) depends on the circumstances. I'll give you an example. Like, I don't think anybody considered the Panthers' season a failure last year,” Briere said.
“Yeah, it was a disaster in a sense that they got hit by a lot of injuries, but the circumstances made it that, with all the injuries they were hit with, they were not a playoff team. We all know they're a good team and they're going to bounce back this year,"
The general manager is not focused on what other teams do. The Flyers can only control their own business. However, teams need to be aware that every club faces adversity at different junctures. That is why depth and continued growth even of players not on the opening night roster remain vital long after training camp is done.
