Flyers’ Michkov not happy with his offense, vows to do better

VOORHEES, N.J. – Success came early to Matvei Michkov, so it’s easy to pass off this somewhat disappointing season as simply a “sophomore slump.”

The Flyers talented winger led the team in goals last year with 26 and many thought he would pick up this season right where he left off last April.

An injury-hampered summer led to an uneven offseason training regimen. He produced only one goal in October and he’s been trying to regain the strengths of his game in November. That worked out pretty well as he led the team in goals with seven.

Still, he’s far from satisfied. He has only one power-play goal after 26 games, a far cry from the 2024-25 campaign when he registered eight last season.

He also leads the team in penalty minutes, a number of them unnecessary minors in the offensive zone. Tocchet wants Michkov to play more of a north-south game. Sometimes he has a tendency to dipsy-doodle and try to make his way around defending players when a simple dropoff pass to a teammate will suffice.

Michkov has already vowed to spend next summer training here rather than Russia. Maybe a short trip home but that’s it.

“I think I will start training here,” he confirmed through an interpreter after Thursday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “Right now I’m not feeling good about it. I’m not happy about my points. I’m sure I can do much better and make a lot more (points). Do better for the team and of course score.”

He did make progress in November.

“I’m better than the beginning,” he said. “Every game is a little bit better.

“Playing in front of the net on the power play, that’s a new role. I’m trying to adapt to it. If it will help the team, I’m willing to work on it and get better at it.”

On the Flyers’ first PP unit, Michkov works one side and Trevor Zegras the other. The partnership seems to be working out so far.

“My role right now is to stay in front of the goalies, screen the goalies and that’s what I’m doing,” said Michkov, who turns 21 on Tuesday.

Was there a turning point in this season when things started going the right way?

“When you score, when you make a play, you feel more confident and that’s when it changes,” Michkov said. “Confidence will come with it and that’s the most important thing.

“And when you have a heavy head and you don’t get any points, not creating anything, I don’t really like it. I try to work even more in those moments so you can overcome them. Work until it starts going right.”

Michkov has treated himself to his first American-bought car. He also has his mom here from Russia to be around the house, cook meals and make him feel more at home.

“Yes, if I would be by myself I would go nuts,” he said. “When practice is over, if I would be by myself it would not be easy. It’s nice to have somebody to be with. When my mom and my brother are there, it’s really important.”

Teammate and fellow countryman Egor Zamula believes Michkov is headed on the correct path.

“Pre-scout coaches are working with him,” Zamula explained. “How to play better in the D-zone. Create space in the middle.”

Zamula said it hasn’t been an easy transition from former coach John Tortorella to current coach Rick Tocchet, especially for a youngster like Michkov.

“Everything is different,” Zamula said. “If you want to score goals, you need to make the play. You need to be ready for that.”

Recently, Michkov was moved back to left wing (his natural shooting side). Has that helped?

“It doesn’t change anything,” Michkov said. “Whether it’s left, right or center.”

Someone asked Michkov if maybe he’s been thinking too much out there.

“You concentrate on the work,” he said. “Work until it’s going to happen. Whether it’s a good day or bad day, the most important thing is to concentrate on your work. And then everything will happen. I know I’m talented and I just need to work.”

Michkov is going to spend the Olympic break in February getting ready for the final two months of the season.

“I want to have good physical form,” he said. “If you do, everything else will come along.”

Tocchet knows he has to give Michkov a certain amount slack. This is a special player who can evolve into a star with the proper handling.

“I think as a young kid you always look at options to get better,” said Tocchet when told Michkov might train here next summer. “There’s a lot of good (training) stuff around here. If that’s his choice, we can help him.

“He’s focused on goals and assists, you have to be careful with that. Those things will come by doing the right things. I think he’s tried to do the right things. Where to go in certain areas, he’s getting better at that, definitely.”

>Short shots

Defenseman Cam York (upper-body injury) did not skate and his status for Sunday afternoon’s game vs. Colorado remains uncertain. Travis Sanheim (slightly banged up) was given a healthy day off from Thursday’s practice. . .Captain Sean Couturier will play his 900th game as a Flyer on Sunday. Only three other players have achieved that feat: Bob Clarke, Bill Barber and Claude Giroux.