It has become very apparent that Matvei Michkov is struggling, especially with not tallying a point in his last five games. Michkov is a dynamic player, and it’s tough to see him hit the rookie wall.
Michkov was formerly on a hot streak, to include winning three games in overtime. He’s been struggling the last seven games or so. He will rebound, sooner rather than later, but Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella benched him in the second period with 9:58 left in regulation. A back-and-forth heated confrontation, shouting match, with Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella led to Michkov being benched for the rest of the game.
Masked with a massive trade involving Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost was the fact Michkov was benched, “I have said all along here with him, we are so far ahead of the process with him being here this year, and that continues even tonight,” Tortorella said following the game. “We are trying to teach him how things are done, how things are done here, the things of understanding conduct of a pro, all the things you do to play.”
“I’m not going to get involved in the situation, something on the bench tonight,” Tortorella continued. “I’m not going to give you specifics. You may not believe it, but it’s for the right reason because we care about him.”
“I’m not going to give you specifics. You may not believe it, but it’s for the right reason because we care about him.” – Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said
Tortorella has been sort of a different coach with Michkov. He doesn’t get overly frustrated, he’s patient, and he knows when to talk to him. The pair have weekly meetings with a translator present to go over things, but Tortorella also knows what type of player he will be in the future.
In Tortorella’s defense, Michkov looks to be lagging a bit. A benching isn’t far off in the future, actually I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens against the Colorado Avalanche.
By no mistake am I advocating for a benching to Michkov, actually I think he should play and have the abilities to fight through his struggles. This, his struggles, are going to happen from time to time, but Michkov could stay in the lineup if he plays solid defense. That’s what Tortorella would like to see, and that could happen if he has more energy. In Michkov’s defense, he is only used to playing in 47 games like he played in the KHL.
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