Unfortunately in defensive zone he still looks like a lost puppy covering an empty space. His offensive IQ is still great though so he'll be alright, he'll still generate lots of scoring chances. About speed though, not sure if it's even possible to improve that much so it'll probably always hold him back a little. But he'll cover it in other ways, he'll be stronger on pucks and hopefully more aware of the game without the puck in his own zone. He's good at anticipating in offensive zone so he'll figure it out. Or not and then he'll become very limited use strictly offensive power play specialist but I'm sure he'll figure it out and be alright.
RW Matvei Michkov (2023, 7th, PHI) Part 5
- Thread starter SoupNazi
- Start date
kp61c
Registered User
yep, benched in the third. Looked like crap, though. Can't blame the coach. Still appeared on pp but the flyers' pp is a hot turd.
It does not matter. The Flyers are not battling for the play offs, he should be given same privileges as Bedard last year. The ownership should can Torts as soon as possible, he’s the worst possible option for a lottery team.
The Flyers had 2 shots in the third when Michkov was benched, certainly seems to have helped
It can't be that the kid first looked great and then forgot how to play hockey. It's something mental, and coaches are responsible for things like this. Especially given the kid is still a teenager.
I'd say he should get back to the KHL, but it's Rotenberg there. Bad idea...
I'd say he should get back to the KHL, but it's Rotenberg there. Bad idea...
CristianoRonaldo
Registered User
Leave him alone, he will be fine. He's not the first rookie to struggle and won't be the last. 
this game against CAR he has a point but played worse than the game previous to this where he was much more noticeable even 5 on 5 but held pointless.
It seems now he is thinking a little bit too much.
It seems now he is thinking a little bit too much.
KHL? He’s tied for the rookie scoring lead, he’s just getting really harsh treatment from Torts
kp61c
Registered User
Yep, crap team with a crap coach that wants to win now. Bad combination for Michkov. But Rotenberg is a bad alternative.
kp61c
Registered User
frontsfan67
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2022
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You guys are nuts for suggesting he should get sent back to the KHL. Look at the names he is surrounded by lmao. Also Bedard has 2 more points than him. He’s still eligible for the WHL should the hawks send him back too?
Acallabeth
Post approved by Ovechkin
Michkov not dominating every shift? Breaking: he's a young player adapting to a new life who is bound to be a bit inconsistent, particularly with Tortorella changing line so often.
Michkov is also very competitive. I'm 100% sure he'll not respond to this 'benching' with sulking.
Or maybe he has a headache, or a minor injury, or maybe his conditioning is subpar, or maybe his opponents are preparing better for him, or maybe... it just was a bad game? I'm a huge fan of Matvei, but blaming everything in the world on Torts isn't fair. He is a strict coach, but he doesn't hesitate to praise Michkov in the media, and you can't really say that decreasing MM's playing time came out of the blue.
Michkov is also very competitive. I'm 100% sure he'll not respond to this 'benching' with sulking.
The Oliers should also loan McDavid to Neftekhimik. He'll come back stronger with a reborn passion for the game and uchpachmaks.
Just Linda
Registered User
- Feb 24, 2018
- 6,815
- 6,786
Michkov has 1 5-on-5 point this season. He's 19 years old. He's 5'10, 170lbs, and isn't an elite skater.
The question should always be "Whats best for his development". Playing him in a league where he can play competitive hockey, excel while still learning good habits, and with a lower risk of injury should never be out of the question for a 19 year old.
Bedard is tied for 46th in the league in 5-on-5 points, he passes the eye test too. If the AHL would've been an option, having him spend time there last season wouldn't have been the worst idea at times. But he's holding his own this year so it's not needed for him.
If Michkov did get sent to a different league, that would mean nothing negative for his future and might be better for his development. Might not be.
If there was a reasonable option, it wouldn't hurt to consider it.
Acallabeth
Post approved by Ovechkin
Michkov has to play in the NHL to solve the problems he faces in the NHL: opponents that take advantage of his size and speed, increased requirements for defensive play, increased physical toll and so on.
HeadLiceHatty
Registered User
It's true he has a few bad games this past week and change but it's not like he hasn't been dangerous before 5v5, he's made tons of plays that weren't converted and he's still 0.77ppg as a 19 year old. The KHL talk is absolutely blasphemous, lol. The Flyers are a putrid team right now, Konency is a -9, half these guys are playing so badly under Torts its actually unreal to watch and as it stands the actual worst team in the NHL lol. He does need to improve his skating and I'm sure he will, he's a hell of a competitor. If he puts up a 3 point effort in the near future, the tune will change instantly, let the kid play and develop.
KirkAlbuquerque
#WeNeverGetAGoodCoach
Svedu
Registered User
- Apr 23, 2019
- 2,408
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I hope the Flyers suck this year because I want high draft picks. If not one year then I would even choose two years before seeing this team trying to be competitive with this horrendous roster this year.
Konecny wouldn't be a top6 in half of the rosters if you ask me and the rest wouldn't even be top9 in at least 1/3 of NHL rosters.
This franchise needs talent asap. I mean look at the Panthers. Lundell and Luostarinen has mostly played in the third line last year. I promise you they would be better than Flyers first line most of the nights.
No, I want a complete rebuild. New goalies, trade for a high risk- reward D. And change 6-9 out of these forwards in 1-2 years. This won't cut it under any coach. I won't even speak about Torts because this forward lineup has already showed they're pretty shit and those who came here didn't impress in other environments.
I mean Tuomaala isn't the biggest prospect either for an example, but he will be a better top9 and second PP player than the most in this current roster because he can at least skate and shoot. One more year in the AHL for him.
I want to see Michkov, Luchanko, Tuomaala. The rest can take a hike.
Draft a Finnish goalie or three, they will be on a rise again. If possible (not likely) trade for UPL or Dostal.
Draft Reber in the seventh round.
Take a chance and trade Andrae against Topi Niemelä. I'd say that would be medium-risk-low reward against a medium risk- medium reward.
Prospects that won't get drafted which could get signed and contribute in the future? Rautiainen, Nykyri etc.
Just like Dallas smartly signed Hyry, Kiviranta and others before.
Give Turkulainen, Hållander, Söderström, Sampo Ranta, Filip Johansson, Ville Petman (PK, fourth line), Petteri Puhakka, Mäntykivi, perhaps Krannila as well, a tryout next summer.
Konecny wouldn't be a top6 in half of the rosters if you ask me and the rest wouldn't even be top9 in at least 1/3 of NHL rosters.
This franchise needs talent asap. I mean look at the Panthers. Lundell and Luostarinen has mostly played in the third line last year. I promise you they would be better than Flyers first line most of the nights.
No, I want a complete rebuild. New goalies, trade for a high risk- reward D. And change 6-9 out of these forwards in 1-2 years. This won't cut it under any coach. I won't even speak about Torts because this forward lineup has already showed they're pretty shit and those who came here didn't impress in other environments.
I mean Tuomaala isn't the biggest prospect either for an example, but he will be a better top9 and second PP player than the most in this current roster because he can at least skate and shoot. One more year in the AHL for him.
I want to see Michkov, Luchanko, Tuomaala. The rest can take a hike.
Draft a Finnish goalie or three, they will be on a rise again. If possible (not likely) trade for UPL or Dostal.
Draft Reber in the seventh round.
Take a chance and trade Andrae against Topi Niemelä. I'd say that would be medium-risk-low reward against a medium risk- medium reward.
Prospects that won't get drafted which could get signed and contribute in the future? Rautiainen, Nykyri etc.
Just like Dallas smartly signed Hyry, Kiviranta and others before.
Give Turkulainen, Hållander, Söderström, Sampo Ranta, Filip Johansson, Ville Petman (PK, fourth line), Petteri Puhakka, Mäntykivi, perhaps Krannila as well, a tryout next summer.
Last edited:
kp61c
Registered User
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
You are overthinking it. 10 points in 13 games. That’s an NHL player. He has things to learn about and Torts isn’t going to give him chances to do whatever he wants with no consequences. News at 10.
SomeDude
Registered User
Analyzing a player after every game and what feels like every shift is insane. Just let the kid play and see where the numbers end up.
BillDineen
Former Flyer / Extinct Dinosaur Advisor
- Aug 9, 2009
- 9,514
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MM would have more 5v5 pts if his earlier game passes were converted.
He is an left handed RW, his D zone was always going to get on Torts' nerves. Torts' also has criticized his OZone play when he would go straight to high danger areas and not follow the structure Torts wanted. The Flyers again focused on the wrong things. (Someone can post the graphic on what smart vs dumb teams focus on).
He is dangerous whenever he has space, 4v4, 3v3, PP, 6v5. It made no sense not to have him out there 6v5 yesterday.
In the future his first step will improve and he will be dominant.
He is an left handed RW, his D zone was always going to get on Torts' nerves. Torts' also has criticized his OZone play when he would go straight to high danger areas and not follow the structure Torts wanted. The Flyers again focused on the wrong things. (Someone can post the graphic on what smart vs dumb teams focus on).
He is dangerous whenever he has space, 4v4, 3v3, PP, 6v5. It made no sense not to have him out there 6v5 yesterday.
In the future his first step will improve and he will be dominant.
BillDineen
Former Flyer / Extinct Dinosaur Advisor
- Aug 9, 2009
- 9,514
- 8,347
MM has zero work ethic issues. If Torts is in his head about the dzone it is going to affect his overall game.
