The Philadelphia Flyers hope Matvei Michkov will be a superstar one day in the NHL. But, he is still just 19 years old and mistakes are going to happen.
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The headline could read “Michkov Benched” or “It Was Only A Matter Of Time Before Michkov Was Benched”. But, that doesn’t tell you the full story.
In the 1st period of last night’s 2-1 win over the St Louis Blues, John Tortorella and Matvei Michkov had their first “moment” together. One that led to Michkov missing a few shifts.
The “moment” came after Michkov’s first shift of the game. A shift that saw him turn the puck over, shy away from a check, and then not back check on a shot in the slot.
https://twitter.com/ChasinthePuck/status/1852136801957282150
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After the shift, Tortorella was waiting for Michkov at the bench door and voiced his displeasure. Moments later, Owen Tippett took the next shift instead of Michkov with Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier.
“There are going to be some major struggles with Mich at 5 on 5, we expect that,” Tortorella said postgame about the moment with Michkov. “He’s a 19 year old kid playing in the best league in the world. I think he’s beginning to see what the National Hockey League is – as far as speed… time and space, and all the things that come with it.”
Tortorella added “where I’m going to have to teach – and in that teaching moment – I’m not going to tell you what it’s all about, but if we keep on seeing the same mistake and he’s just totally is not concentrating on a certain part of the game… I’ve been very honest with him about that, he’s going to miss some ice.”
From the outside, obviously benching your star player after just one shift isn’t going to play well after the game. But, how John explained it, is just how the Flyers should be handling their future star. Especially early in the season.
“It’s not me screaming at him. It’s telling him this is how it works,” Tortorella mentioned when asked about the teaching moment. “Just like any other young player, or really any other player in the room, he’s going to be held accountable.”
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The growing pains with Michkov will be tough at sometimes this season. However, these pains are for the greater good. Especially for this long term development.
But, there are some potential very obvious reasons to why he could struggle in some games. And, John Tortorella mentioned them last night.
“He doesn’t play four games in six nights over there. He doesn’t play against competition like he plays here,” Tortorella said when talking about some potential reasons why. “He’s a great kid and he wants to do so well. But, it’s a lot… it’s a lot for him.”
In all, Michkov missed three shifts and Tortorella still used him on the power-play during his missed rotations.
“That’s the way it’s going to have to be,” Tortorella said. “That’s part of the development of a 19 year old kid.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Jess Rapfogel – Getty Images
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