Why Matvei Michkov’s benching(s) might have been the best thing for him

We all knew it was going to happen at some point. For Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella, it took just 13 games to bring the hammer down on rookie forward Matvei Michkov. 

On the surface, this could be spun in only a negative light. “Torts being Torts.” “Dinosaur coach out of touch with the modern-day athlete.” “Torts’ ego is getting in the way of star talent.” Honestly, I wouldn’t blame fans or pundits for taking this stance. For a team starved for offense and residing in the bottom of the Metropolitan division, sitting a player that has 10 points through 13 games and possesses a skill set unmatched by his teammates is a head scratcher.

Personally speaking, I’ve seen the hiccups in Michkov’s game; it isn’t a revolutionary take to poke holes in his even strength game. Of his 10 points, three have come at 5v5. While not for a lack of effort, his defensive play has been suspect and his play in transition through the neutral zone hasn’t been great. Oftentimes it looks like Michkov is overthinking with the puck on his stick as he transports it from blueline to blueline, looking like he is caught in quicksand while deciding on the next play.

All this being said, scratching Michkov outright is not something I agree with. Was the rookie in line for a demotion? Absolutely, but a reduced role in the lineup – although Michkov’s ice time was severely down from where he was two weeks ago versus the Montreal Canadiens – is something I would’ve preferred to see. Objectively speaking, with the exception of Travis Konecny and arguably Owen Tippett, it’s hard to say playing any winger over Michkov makes the Flyers a better team. 

But the objective of this season isn’t making the Flyers a better team – it’s about doing what’s best for the team’s future. 

Michkov has been the best player wherever he has played his entire life. Even last year playing for Sochi in the KHL, he was arguably the team’s most talented player. When a player is consistently better than all their compatriots, they are programmed to play the same way, all the time, no matter the time or score in the game. Why? Because no matter what, they will always be able to get away with their talent. When you have the puck on your stick all the time and the play is never going the other way, there’s nothing to worry about defensively; you’re always in the same situation. 

Much like what comes with the risk of sending a player back to junior hockey who is too good for the competition, this can allow bad habits to creep in a player’s game: in the case of Michkov, not being able to adapt in game situations. Now that Michkov isn’t the most dominant player on the ice every game, he has been forced to play in different situations – something he has struggled with from shift to shift. 

To be fair, there aren’t many star players who arrive on the scene in the NHL and have the innate defensive awareness to exceed right off the hop in the NHL. Players like Jonathan Toews are exceptions to the rule; you’ve even seen 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard struggle with the little details in his game with the Chicago Blackhawks. What Michkov is going through is normal for a 19-year-old; especially one who is playing for the first time in North America.

Right now, Michkov is learning the hard way under Tortorella. Is it the best course of action? Highly questionable, but perhaps it is better for Michkov to learn this now the hard way than have it drag on over the course of multiple seasons. However you look at it, Michkov is going to be here longer than Tortorella; the latter is just one of several coaches the 2023 seventh overall pick will see in his career. I’m not insinuating that Tortorella’s job is in jeopardy, because it isn’t, but strictly from an age point of view, there is reason to believe that there will be another man behind the Flyers’ bench in several years’ time. 

From all I’ve heard, Michkov took the benching well. This isn’t to say he was happy – if an athlete is happy not to play there is a bigger issue at hand – but he worked hard to get back into the lineup. Michkov will get the chance to redeem himself when he gets back into the Flyers lineup Monday night versus the San Jose Sharks.

There is nothing to worry about long term with Michkov, as these are difficulties most players struggle with when first stepping into the NHL. The tactics could be viewed as archaic and outdated, but there could be a method to Tortorella’s madness. This year isn’t about winning for the Flyers, so perhaps nipping Michkov’s problems in the bud with the drastic, exaggerated measures to expedite the process to rectify them may pay dividends in a quicker fashion. 

Long-term contract extension coming for Cam York?

The Flyers have been rebuilding all aspects of their organization the last few seasons, and the defense is no different. Under the rebuild, arguably none of the young players has taken more leaps and bounds under Tortorella than defenseman Cam York.

York, 23, was selected 14th overall by the Flyers in the 2019 NHL Draft. He has seen his usage steadily increase the last few seasons under Tortorella, ultimately averaging 22:56 time on ice per game before his injury a few weeks back.

Once thought of as an offensive minded, power play quarterback when he was first drafted, York has been redefined as a two-way, all around “steady eddie” defenseman. Much like Michkov, York faced Tortorella’s wrath in 2022, sent to the AHL to start the coach’s first season after being expected to make the team out of camp. But since then, York has excelled and never looked back. 

York is in the second year of a two year deal he signed after his entry level contract; he carries an AAV of $1.6 million. While official negotiations have yet to start, the Flyers are prepared to lock up York long term. 

As opposed to an offensive player who can significantly drive up his value over the course of a season – one of the reasons the Flyers locked up Tippett last January – the same risk isn’t presented with a player like York. At this stage, the belief is that York is more or less what he is: a No. 2/3 defenseman who will eat minutes, play versus the opposition’s top players and may get you 40 points. Aside from eating more minutes, there isn’t much of a threat of York driving up his dollar value too high. 

One defenseman that is a good comparable for York stylistically is Devon Toews of the Colorado Avalanche. Toews, while seven years older, signed a seven year contract with the Avalanche that carries an AAV of $7.25 million. While York’s offense is still yet to get to that of Toews, this may be a good ballpark to expect a potential York extension to come in at. 

In seven games this season York has two goals and one assist this season. Overall in his career, York 17 goals and 63 points in 176 regular season games.

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POST SPONSORED BY bet365

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