Matvei Michkov, dynamic offensive playmaker for the Flyers, prefers playing on the Right Wing, where he’s spent most of his career and feels more comfortable creating opportunities.
As a left-handed shooter, playing on the right (his off-wing) allows him better angles for shots and plays, and he openly said yesterday he was “Always happy” there and can “create a lot more moments” on that side. Recently, Michkov has been shifted to the Left Wing by Head Coach Rick Tocchet. This change aims to improve his pace, keep his feet moving, and encourage a more north-south game.
Michkov described it as a “new role” requiring quick adaptation, noting it’s been an adjustment but he’s committed to it since the coach sees him there, “”I was always playing the right, I was always there. I was always happy. Now I’m playing on the left. It’s a new role. I have to adapt as quick as I can,” Michkov said yesterday in an interview following practice.
Regarding his relationship with Rick Tocchet, Michkov described it as a “very common relationship between player and coach,” emphasizing that both share the same goal: to win. He denied any major conflict, taking responsibility for his performance and focusing on doing his job regardless of ice time or role.
While there has been public scrutiny (including Tocchet’s comments on Michkov’s conditioning and development early in the season), Michkov’s recent media comments (his first since early December) portrayed it as professional and aligned toward team success, without calling it exceptional but shutting down notions of bad blood.
This has been a topic in Flyers coverage, especially during Michkov’s sophomore struggles, but he expressed willingness to adapt and worked out daily over the break to prepare for the stretch run.
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Michkov just trained over the Olympic Break, it’s something he took serious, “I was training everyday, I was not resting there. First one was the gym, second was conditioning and stamina. Seven days of the same training,” Michkov said. Hopefully, he is able put forth a good last quarter of the season, post Olympic break.
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