Michkov vows to work harder to prepare for next season

VOORHEES, N.J. – It was three seasons in one for the Flyers’ Matvei Michkov.
There was the pre-Winter Olympic version of the second-year Russian player, a stretch in which he hardly looked like the guy who scored a team-leading 26 goals his rookie campaign.
Then there was the post-Olympic Michkov who, like a number of Flyers, seemed to catch a second wind, especially over the last 10 games when the team made its final push for the playoffs.
And finally, there was the Stanley Cup playoffs version of Michkov, one in which he reverted to his early season form, struggled to score and finally was benched for the final game of the season, that last encounter of the four-game sweep by Carolina.
There have been rumors that the Flyers might entertain trade offers for Michkov in the offseason. But general manager Daniel Briere assured everyone back in February that the talented 22-year-old “was going nowhere.”
Maybe so but sometimes where there’s smoke there’s fire.
In the meantime, Michkov vows to push his offseason training up a notch and looks forward to his third season in the NHL.
“After the (Olympic) break, started feeling better,” Michkov said through an interpreter during player exit interviews at the Flyers Training Center on Tuesday. “You saw what happened before and after.”
Reportedly, Michkov worked his tail off during the February break, something he apparently did not do last summer.
“My play against Carolina could have been better,” he admitted.
Did he get a reason from coach Rick Tocchet as to why he was benched for Game 4 vs. Carolina?
“It was a coach’s decision,” Michkov said. “I’m a player who should go on the ice and do my job. If the coach decides I have to miss a game, I have to take it. I go back on the ice, train. Unfortunately you cannot control what you cannot control.”
When asked if he plans to go back to Russia to “train” as he did last summer, Michkov did not give a definitive answer.
“Just planning to work,” he said. “After this press conference, going back to the ice to work right now.”
Well, that’s encouraging. After scoring those team-leading 26 goals his rookie year, he had only 20 this past season. Plus he had the most penalty minutes on the team and often was caught out of position.
Michkov was asked about his relationship with coach Rick Tocchet. Is it a good one?
“It’s a work relationship, a good relationship,” Michkov said.
One saving grace for Michkov was the way his play picked up when he played on a line with Noah Cates. Something to think about for next season. Maybe.
“My plus-minus went to zero, not minus,” he pointed out. “On the big scale, Noah helped. My line was changing much of the season. Pretty much every game, different guys. . .all of them were skilled enough and helped.”
Michkov said he knows what the team wants from him and he will work on that.
“I will put the work in,” he vowed. “Next year I plan to be even better than after the Olympic break.”

>The kids are alright

One big positive for the Flyers this season was the play of rookie callups Porter Martone, Denver Barkey and Alex Bump.
In fact, Tocchet put all three together on one line during the Carolina series.
Martone, who scored two game-winners in the Pittsburgh series and now plans to compete for Canada in the World Championships, said he’s still catching his breath since being called up after his career at Michigan State came to an end.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” said Martone, who was the No. 6 overall pick taken by the Flyers last year. “I’m going on to the World Championships right now (in Switzerland, starting Friday).
“I think it was amazing, making the decision to head to Michigan State (last) September. At the time, you think it might be tough cracking an NHL lineup. But looking back, it’s the best decision I could have made.”
The Flyers knew Martone was ready to make the step up but they had no idea he could adjust to NHL play this quickly.
“I just wanted to come in and be a part of this,” he said. “Wanted to make an impact. Help this team any way I could. It’s been great. Being able to taste the playoffs has been special.”
Bump had some bumps along the way but finished up the season on a high point. He scored the tying goal in Game 4 vs. Carolina which pushed the game to overtime.
“Kind of a roller-coaster I think,” he said. “Didn’t really start the way I wanted it to. But I’m happy with the way it ended. Definitely accomplished some goals.”
He was a fifth-round draft pick and admits he’s been playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Now it’s confirmed he belongs in the NHL.
“It’s been great,” he said. “But I also think I’m not even close to what I want to accomplish. I know in my head I can play in this league but I’ve got more to prove.”