GDT: #51 | Devils at Flyers | Monday, January 27, 2025 | 7:00 PM | NBCSP, 97.5 FM

[CerpinTaxt]

He also didn't play very well in general - probably half a dozen really poor passes that were turnovers, no-look behind-the-back types. He was weak on his forecheck and along the boards. He did have a few nice plays as well.

To be fair, the whole team was passing like the puck was a live grenade and turning it over repeatedly. So many passes *away* from the net to a teammate under more coverage and a worse angle to the net. They tend to do that a lot for some reason.

I do think teams have figured out that Michkov will look to pass the puck so they've gotten better at clogging the lanes. If he had just a bit more speed then he could skate more and create the lanes on his own.

If he can work on skating speed before next season it will definitely open up his game.

 

[flyersnorth]

I do think teams have figured out that Michkov will look to pass the puck so they've gotten better at clogging the lanes. If he had just a bit more speed then he could skate more and create the lanes on his own.

If he can work on skating speed before next season it will definitely open up his game.

I think he'll turn out to be a top level player in the league. It will probably take him 3-6 years to be dominant.

I've only watched Celibrini play a handful of times, but he does seem to control play and the game quite a bit more than Michkov. Probably largely due to being a center? He also plays with more quickness and deliberateness to his game.

Not to say Michkov can't or won't reach the same level - he probably will in his own style.

 

[MJL66]

First 21 games:
ES 14:00, ATOI 17:24,
xGF 43.06%, HDCF 36.50%

Next 30 games:
ES 12:53, ATOI 15:17
xGF 62.26%, HDCF 59.22%

last ten games:
ES 12:12, ATOI 14:42
xGF 59.22%, HDCF 66.55%

So he's playing slightly less but more effective.

Why anyone would want to run a kid into the ground when you're rebuilding.
If you give Michkov too many minutes, he'll have dead legs and be more prone to get injured.

As far as Michkov being constrained:
first 21 games, xGF/60: 2.20, HDCF/60: 7.69
next 30 games, xGF/60: 3.34, HDCF/60: 12.53

Linemates:
first 21 games: Couts 100, TK 85, Frost 64, Tippett 54, Foerster 33, Cates 31, Farabee 29
next 30 games: Frost 214, Tippett 152, Couts 98, Farabee 70, Laughton 63

Watch the game. He is not more effective. He was one of the teams best offensive players in the early season. He is not that now. 24 of of his 34 points on the season came in the first 25 games of the season.

 

[Boocowski]

Michkov will be fine. He's a rookie with a lot of lifestyle changes coming at him and a long NHL schedule he's not used to. Limiting his ice time in a close game is no big deal for any rookie. Sitting him out entirely down the stretch would probably be fine on occasion too. Maybe not necessary but no big deal if it happens. There is no need to push and rush this kid.

He will be fine.

 

[renberg]

Michkov will be fine. He's a rookie with a lot of lifestyle changes coming at him and a long NHL schedule he's not used to. Limiting his ice time in a close game is no big deal for any rookie. Sitting him out entirely down the stretch would probably be fine on occasion too. Maybe not necessary but no big deal if it happens. There is no need to push and rush this kid.

He will be fine.

Well, after the 27-28 season when he is aa RFA, look for him to be searching for offers to get out of here and the trash way that he has been treated. Ask Cellebrini or Bedard if they would want their TOI limited and play deterred the way that Tortoise has done with Michkov? There's only one way to learn how to play in any situation and that is to play in it. If they want him to watch things, he can do that in the video sessions.
The length of the season is a joke for sitting MM. He's about to get a mid season break with the Four Nations tournament in a week and a half. Michkov is young and in good physical shape. This sitting him like he has been and all is nothing more than a mind game being played by an overbearing insecure coach who can't tolerate not being the center of attention.
Tortorella is concerned about his legacy and he should be. Because he's going to be known as the coach that was so egotistical that he tried to screw up one of the best players in a decade. Did Glen Hanlon mess with Alex Ovechkin like this or did Eddie Olczyk do this with Crosby or McLellan with McDavid?

 

[MJL66]

Well, after the 27-28 season when he is aa RFA, look for him to be searching for offers to get out of here and the trash way that he has been treated. Ask Cellebrini or Bedard if they would want their TOI limited and play deterred the way that Tortoise has done with Michkov? There's only one way to learn how to play in any situation and that is to play in it. If they want him to watch things, he can do that in the video sessions.
The length of the season is a joke for sitting MM. He's about to get a mid season break with the Four Nations tournament in a week and a half. Michkov is young and in good physical shape. This sitting him like he has been and all is nothing more than a mind game being played by an overbearing insecure coach who can't tolerate not being the center of attention.
Tortorella is concerned about his legacy and he should be. Because he's going to be known as the coach that was so egotistical that he tried to screw up one of the best players in a decade. Did Glen Hanlon mess with Alex Ovechkin like this or did Eddie Olczyk do this with Crosby or McLellan with McDavid?

It's the disease that Tortorella has and his demand for 100% accountability to the way that he wants players to play. The Flyers completely lack elite talent so why would they want a player to play to his strengths and use his elite skill to it's fullest. To add what this team needs more than anything else. Instead, Michkov has to simplify his game, take less risks and make the safe play and play the Tortorella way.

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

I've never seen a franchise continue to sabotage young talented forwards like the Flyers. Seriously. Every coach from Ken Hitchcock on through to John Tortorella has tried to tear down and rebuild offensively talented players into these two-way checkers. We should be fortunate that we've seen players thrive in spite of, not because of, the coaching they received. It's epidemic. And what makes this even worse is that Briere was an offensive guy. I don't understand the mentality of neutering a players offensive skillet just to turn them into a checker.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Well, after the 27-28 season when he is aa RFA, look for him to be searching for offers to get out of here and the trash way that he has been treated. Ask Cellebrini or Bedard if they would want their TOI limited and play deterred the way that Tortoise has done with Michkov? There's only one way to learn how to play in any situation and that is to play in it. If they want him to watch things, he can do that in the video sessions.
The length of the season is a joke for sitting MM. He's about to get a mid season break with the Four Nations tournament in a week and a half. Michkov is young and in good physical shape. This sitting him like he has been and all is nothing more than a mind game being played by an overbearing insecure coach who can't tolerate not being the center of attention.
Tortorella is concerned about his legacy and he should be. Because he's going to be known as the coach that was so egotistical that he tried to screw up one of the best players in a decade. Did Glen Hanlon mess with Alex Ovechkin like this or did Eddie Olczyk do this with Crosby or McLellan with McDavid?

Less icetime means less money. If his agent is remotely competent this will be drilled into him.

 

[deadhead]

Michkov has two more ELC seasons, plenty of time to work up to a big season for a contract year.
If they wanted to suppress his RFA extension, they shouldn't restrict his PT now, but in two years.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

I think he'll turn out to be a top level player in the league. It will probably take him 3-6 years to be dominant.

I've only watched Celibrini play a handful of times, but he does seem to control play and the game quite a bit more than Michkov. Probably largely due to being a center? He also plays with more quickness and deliberateness to his game.

Not to say Michkov can't or won't reach the same level - he probably will in his own style.

Celebrini also makes tons of mistakes, but he doesn't get punished for it. He's being allowed to develop the correct way and given a TON of slack. Michkov gets absolutely none of that... The guy was PPG 27p in 27g with f***ing Torts not so long ago. The leash got tightened, Torts cannot be upstaged by a rookie.

 

[deadhead]

Michkov's HDCF/60 has almost double since the first 21 games.
The fact that he's not scoring is probably more attributable to puck luck than anything else.
And of course, opposing teams adjust, and give him a lot more attention. So he has more "almost" plays.

 

[freakydallas13]

Michkov's HDCF/60 has almost double since the first 21 games.
The fact that he's not scoring is probably more attributable to puck luck than anything else.
And of course, opposing teams adjust, and give him a lot more attention. So he has more "almost" plays.

Or, and hear me out on this, he plays less now than he does at the start of the season.

 

[Cody Webster]

2 Black and 27 Red Baby !!!!!

I always play 2, my first hockey number, and it hit a few times. Don't think 27 hit much though. One I never play, but did end up playing and winning on was 19

 

[MJL66]

Michkov's HDCF/60 has almost double since the first 21 games.
The fact that he's not scoring is probably more attributable to puck luck than anything else.
And of course, opposing teams adjust, and give him a lot more attention. So he has more "almost" plays.

Michkov ranks 11th among the regular forwards on the team in individual SCF/60 at 5 on 5