VOORHEES, N.J. – The Flyers’ season has nearly reached the quarter mark and it’s safe to say winger Matvei Michkov has already established a place at the top of the first-year players’ list.
As of Tuesday morning, the 19-year-old Michkov was still standing atop the rookie scoring list, leading the NHL kids in goals (six), points (15) power-play goals (three) and assists (nine).
Of late, the Russian seems to have found a home on a line with center Noah Cates and left wing Anthony Richard.
Speaking through an interpreter after Tuesday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center, Michkov indicated he’s feeling more comfortable as he adjusts to life in North America, although the language barrier is still a bit challenging.
Working with Cates, a crafty pivot, and the speedy Richard, Michkov has found what appears to be the perfect complement of linemates. They’re learning each other’s moves and developing a visible synergy in all three zones.
In particular, Cates plays a somewhat grinding style which frees up Michkov for offensive opportunities.
“He (Cates) is a really good player,” Michkov said. “Hard on the puck. When I see him, I want to play like him. Sometimes he can’t score like me but he’s making a lot of good plays and a lot of good work for the team.”
Michkov has been on this side of the Atlantic since he first arrived back in July. There was the brief contract snafu with the Kontinental Hockey League but after that was straightened out, the 2023 NHL Draft No. 7 overall pick was here to stay.
Of course there have been adjustments, such as the language. But having other Russian-speaking players such as defenseman Egor Zamula and goaltenders Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov around have helped the transition.
“The language barrier is heaviest,” Michkov admitted. “It’s really hard to learn English. But I’m working on picking up the language.”
Michkov has been working with a tutor.
“I’m just picking up stuff day-by-day,” he said. “Everyday teammates have helped me learn how to speak English.”
In the locker room, the Flyers were quick to accept their budding star, knowing full well he could be the torch carrier in years to come.
You could see that in recent games when they quickly came to his rescue after questionable hits by opposing tough guys.
“I didn’t see anybody play against me heavier than any other players on the ice,” Michkov said. “It doesn’t matter who gets harassed, a teammate have to step in and make sure he’s there for the teammate.”
Sean Couturier and Erik Johnson are among the players who have stepped in and thrown punches at various offenders.
“We are a team,” Michkov said. “And we’re always going to protect our teammates.”
>Couturier trying his best
Captain Couturier still continues to have trouble finding the back of the net.
Aside from a hat trick against Minnesota, he has failed to score in the other 18 games.
Even so, coach John Tortorella continues to play him on top lines. After a rough start to this season, in which he was dropped all the way to the fourth line, Couturier has bounced back and at least he’s contributing in the assist column with six.
Couturier was back on a top line with leading scorer Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett in Monday night’s 3-2 loss to Colorado.
“I think we’re creating a lot of chances,” Couturier said. “We’re not finishing, not as much as we would like to or should. But we have to stick with it and try to bury a couple of those chances that we’re getting.”
Even for a veteran such as Couturier, the current situation can be exasperating.
“It is frustrating,” he said. “Because the points aren’t coming. I am creating some chances every night, I have chances, I’m just not finishing. So I have to just stick with it. Be patient, not get frustrated. It’s tough.”
Tortorella’s faith keeps Couturier from getting too down on himself.
“The first six or seven games, my minutes weren’t quite what I would wish,” Couturier said. “But since then I’ve been getting opportunities, playing in different situations and trying to make the most of it.”
Couturier isn’t the only center struggling to score. Scott Laughton, Morgan Frost, Ryan Poehling and Cates haven’t been setting the world on fire either.
“We need more, we need more playmaking,” Tortorella offered. “Distributing. We need to be better. We’re not going out and signing free agents. No one is giving up a top free-agent center. It has to happen within. I think our centers are trying, the effort is there. But I don’t think it’s a high percentage of plays being made.”
>Zamula back in action
After leaving in the third period of Monday night’s game due to a upper-body injury, defenseman Egor Zamula was back on the ice at practice on Tuesday.
“I felt better this morning after treatment and I’m ready to go tomorrow,” he said. “I think I play my best game last night. I was encouraged with how I played.”
>Short shots
Defenseman Cam York, who’s been out since last month due to injury, continues to practice but has not yet been cleared to play. . .The Hurricanes’ 13 wins were tied for second-most in the NHL heading into Tuesday night’s play.
