VOORHEES, N.J. – From a competitive standpoint, the Winter Olympics break could not have come at a better time for Flyers second-year player Matvei Michkov.
It’s been a struggle for much of this second season for the 21-year-old Russian forward.
Playing for the first time under coach Rick Tocchet this season, he’s been moved from one side of the rink to the other and one line to another.
Plus, there have been questions about his fitness level since the day he walked into training camp back in September.
When the Olympic break started on Feb. 6, everyone was pretty much in agreement the time off would do Michkov good.
Tuesday, after six days of practice in the last eight, Michkov allowed himself a smile or two as he faced the media at the Flyers Training Zone.
Inquiring minds wanted to know just about everything Michkov has been up to. Through a translator he answered all questions thrown at him with a confident tone. Some of that swagger might have come from the fact he seemed to play a lot better in the last few games before the break.
“I was training everyday,” Michkov noted of his time during the break. “Two a day, the first one was the gym. The second was conditioning and stamina.”
Then came the query about how Michkov feels mentally and perhaps emotionally. It’s no secret it’s been a bit of a difficult transition from life in Russia to getting accustomed to everyday existence in the United States.
That might help explain why his numbers have dropped off from his sensational first season when he was probably the fourth-best rookie in the NHL. He didn’t make the three finalists for the Calder Trophy (NHL rookie of the year) but he was close.
In 80 games, he registered 26 goals/63 points with three shootout goals, eight power-play goals (17 points) and three game-winning goals, plus 16:41 average ice time.
This season, in 55 games, he has posted only 13 goals/29 points, just two power-play goals (seven points), no game-winning goals and only 14:34 average ice time.
Perhaps these three weeks away from NHL action can provide a reset.
“I feel a lot better,” he said. “Hope to feel a lot better in the games as well. My main point now is to help the team and win.
“My mind is always ready. We’re working on a couple things. I’m ready to go the second half. Before the Olympics break I was playing better.”
Michkov flourished last season under former coach John Tortorella. This season, Tocchet has been experimenting with Michkov, playing him on both right and left wing. Also, the first and second power-play units.
“Everybody has the same goal, the coaches and players,” Michkov said. “So we are working that way.”
Michkov really caught fire after last year’s 4 Nations tournament in late winter. Is he looking for a similar late charge?
“Last year, after the 4 Nations, there was not too long of a break,” he said. “I was just resting. This time I was not planning to rest. I was not happy with the way the game goes. So I was working the entire break.”
No doubt most teams were caught off guard by Michkov’s talent last season. All teams make adjustments, which is why you don’t see so many of those spectacular down-the-middle-of-the-ice breakaways.
Just before the break, general manager Daniel Briere heard the scuttlebutt about Michkov’s so-called concerns about reduced ice time and such. Briere put to rest any rumors about a major organizational fallout, saying that Michkov will have a big part in the Flyers’ future.
“I have to do my job, that’s the only thing I care about,” Michkov said. “The way he (Tocchet) plays me, he decides.”
What about the position “controversy?” Michkov, a lefty shooter, has played much of his hockey career on the right side. Moving over to left can be a tall order at the NHL level.
“I’ve always played on the right, now I play on the left,” he said. “The coach sees me there, so I have to adapt as quick as I can. For me, on the right, I can create more. Now I have to switch everything to left and do the same thing.”
Flyers assistant coach Todd Reirden, who has been running the show in Tocchet’s Olympics absence, had positive things to say about Michkov, including his adjustment to left wing.
“I think he’s done a real good job with adjusting,” Reirden said. “The way he’s been able to convert and make plays on that side, it opens up different options for him. It’s something we wanted to take a look at. We are going to continue to stay with that.”
For the Flyers to make up that eight-point gap and get back in the playoff hunt, they will need some semblance of the 2024-25 Michkov.
>Short shots
Defenseman Travis Sanheim, who won a silver medal with Canada on Sunday, was not at Tuesday’s practice but is expected to play in Wednesday night’s game at Washington. . .Goaltender Dan Vladar is expected to start the game against the Caps and Sam Ersson looks to go against the Rangers when the Flyers complete a back-to-back in New York on Thursday night.
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