Rick Tocchet goes after Matvei Michkov again as play continues to suffer
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, in his first year behind their bench after coming over from the Vancouver Canucks, gave an interesting answer about the drop in second-year forward Matvei Michkov's ice time.
There's been another drop-off in the ice time of Philadelphia Flyers sophomore forward Matvei Michkov, who has seen it gradually be lowered.
In yesterday's game, Michkov barely played over 10 minutes in their overtime loss at home to the Los Angeles Kings, a season low.
Head coach Rick Tocchet, who is in his first year behind the Flyers bench, was asked about it, and he said flat out that the second-year Flyers forward did not report to training camp in September in ideal playing shape.
We've talked about it, and I'll be very frank, I'm a very frank guy, I go down swinging. Matvei did not come into camp in shape, and it's hard to play yourself into shape. I have not told him or any of our players, 'Take a guy one on one, come out of the corner with the puck, make a play on the rush.' He's having a tough time in those situations.....we're trying to get him to that level. Practice, make sure you're on time for treatments. - Rick Tocchet
So far this year, Michkov has 28 points (13G, 15A) in 53 games and isn't on pace to come anywhere close to the 63 points he had as a rookie.
Matvei Michkov Sometimes Clashed With Ex-Flyers Coach John Tortorella In His Rookie Year
The Flyers, who fired coach John Tortorella with only a few games left in the season last year, experienced growing pains with their prized rookie in his first year.
He and Tortorella would often clash with one another, and there were more than a few instances of both men jawing at one another on the bench.
Even so, Michkov said nothing but good things about his ex-coach when asked about him when the change was made.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Oilers' Leon Draisaitl breaks his silence on leave of absence last month
Oilers' Leon Draisaitl breaks his silence on leave of absence last month
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 1|233 ANSWERS Rick Tocchet goes after Matvei Michkov again as play continues to suffer Is Matvei Michkov going to eventually request a trade from the Flyers? | ||
| Yes | 187 | 80.3 % |
| No | 46 | 19.7 % |
| List of polls | ||