The idea that Matvei Michkov is being “overcoached” has been a recurring talking point among Flyers fans this season, especially with his sophomore slump and the shift under Rick Tocchet. Michkov exploded as a rookie in 2024-25 with 26 goals and 63 points in 80 games, averaging over 16:41 TOI. This year (2025-26), through about 45 games, he’s at just 10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points, with a -5 plus/minus and averaging around 14:39 TOI—noticeably down, and even lower in recent stretches (like 13-14 minutes in some games).
Michkov’s production has dipped sharply, and he’s looked hesitant or “stuck in the mud” at times, with shorter shifts and visible frustration (including some heated moments on the bench with Tocchet and assistants). A big part of the narrative ties into Tocchet’s system emphasizing structure, defense, low-risk play, and team responsibility—things like better backchecking, not cheating for offense, and playing “the right way.”
Some see this as stifling Michkov’s elite instincts, creativity, and playmaking, turning a dynamic offensive talent into someone overthinking or second-guessing instead of letting his natural game flow. Marty St. Louis’s recent comments about not overcoaching high-skill players (like Ivan Demidov) got pulled into this, with fans (including yourself in your recent posts) pointing out how crowding an elite player’s brain can make them average by killing anticipation and freedom.
Tocchet himself has acknowledged peeling back on overloading Michkov with info earlier in the season, adjusting how they communicate to avoid frustration, and noting times when they’ve “overcoached or overcorrected.” He’s stressed patience in Michkov’s development—focusing on defensive improvements and team play—while the Flyers as a group have been competitive (around .500 or better at points). But critics argue it’s limiting his upside, especially with reduced PP/OT time and linemates that don’t always maximize his skill.
On the flip side, plenty blame Michkov’s slow start on his own offseason: showing up out of shape (after focusing on strength per team advice but an injury disrupting things), poor conditioning, pressing during slumps, bad penalties, and turnovers. Yes, some accountability falls on him more than the coach, and Tocchet’s approach is building long-term habits rather than ruining him. One thing that can help is easing off the coaching reins (more “separation” as Tocchet put it recently) could unlock him again. With the season ongoing, we’ll see if his game picks up or if the hesitation lingers.
Marty St. Louis said it best yesterday from Habs on Reddit, in reference to Ivan Demidov, “You gotta be careful (not) to overcoach those type of players. You have to have some foundations and non-negotiables…Once they check those boxes, you kinda get out of the way a little bit…” Those guys they coach themselves. They correct themselves…I don’t wanna take the stick out of their hands. Next thing you know, you crowd their brain, the elite players now become average, cause they don’t play with anticipation and they’re always asking ‘what does the coach want to do here?'”
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