VOORHEES, N.J. – The wild card for the Flyers’ fairly new coaching regime continues to be the rather enigmatic Matvei Michkov.
His situation over the past season has probably gained as much individual attention as almost the rest of the other players combined.
There was the slow start, the rededication to fitness during the Winter Olympics and ultimately the benching in Game 4 of the Carolina series, the final game of the season.
Coach Rick Tocchet wouldn’t come out and directly find fault with the young Russian player during Wednesday’s end-of-season media session at the Flyers Training Center.
Rather, he pointed to the potential the 22-year-old Michkov still has after a disappointing 20-goal season.
“Honestly I wanted to get more speed in the lineup,” Tocchet said of the Game 4 benching. “Listen, it wasn’t like everyone was on point with their game. I’m not singling him (out). There were a couple guys who struggled. At that moment, as a coaching staff, we just felt a little fresh air.
“For ‘Mich’ it’s like his first playoff run. He’s a second-year player. If it happened to another young guy nobody would really say anything. It’s the pressure of that.”
What will be the approach going into year 3?
“We’ve just got to let this kid breathe,” Tocchet said. “Because I think he’s made a lot of strides. I can’t talk for last year. But I can talk for this year, he’s made some strides. I think he skated yesterday. That’s pretty cool. I want him to take a break. But I’m not going to tell him what to do.
“He was shooting pucks yesterday. It’s almost like a vengeance tour. And I love that. I think every player should have some kind of motivation in their head to prove anybody wrong. That’s really important.”
Can he still become an NHL star player someday?
“Absolutely,” Tocchet said. “The kid wants it. We have the tools to help him. Is there something he needs to improve on? Of course. Speed, shot, that’s all stuff he can work on. He does want to improve. He’s a big spoke in the wheel if we can develop him.”
>Martone’s ascent
Porter Martone has only been on the Flyers about six weeks but he’s already made his mark.
At 19, he appears to have a very bright future.
“Just taking away his physicality and the talent that he has, it’s his character,” Tocchet said. “As soon as they drafted him and getting to know him the last six weeks, his character. Bringing a 19-year-old kid like that, sticking him in your room. High character guy. It adds a lot in that room.
“That’s what impressed me about him. He really improved his strength and his skating.”
>Age balance
Tocchet likes the fact his team has a good balance of veterans and young guys. In a way, it makes his job easier because the experienced guys lead by example.
“These kids are self-starters, they can lean on each other,” the coach said. “I remember in ’85 when I was one of those young guys (on the Flyers). It’s nice to have young guys around you. It’s not just a veteran team. It’s not just one or two young guys, we’ve got a bunch. I think that helps the growth of our team.”
Tocchet said he gets text messages from young players who want to come in on their own to review stuff on video.
“For me, it’s communication,” Tocchet said. “A kid can text me and that’s when you know you’re on the right page. You’ll get a text from a kid, ‘hey, can we come in and watch video?’ That’s the sort of stuff I love. If I’m not getting that, then I have to change my approach. It’s important that we communicate with this group, good or bad.”
>Mutual respect
When Tocchet reached Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour in the postgame handshake line the other night, it was a friendly reunion going back to their days as teammates on the Flyers in the early ‘90s.
Brind’Amour apparently congratulated Tocchet on getting the Flyers turned around this season. He told the Philly coach to take a moment and let it all sink in.
“First, Roddy’s relationship with the fans, nobody worked harder,” Tocchet said. “Nobody loved wearing the Flyer crest more than him. I think deep down he was glad he beat the hell out of us four straight. But I think there’s a part of Roddy, his sincerity. He knows what it’s like to play here when it’s successful. The fans are like insanely up, they can help the team, they’re around town wearing orange, they know it.
“So for him to go, ‘hey, ‘Toc’, take a moment,’ did I take a moment? Not really. But honestly, I appreciated it. And I heard it. I heard when the players were still out, the fans acknowledging us. I appreciate that from Roddy. Great coach, great guy.”
>Barkey a center or wing?
The Flyers experimented with rookie Denver Barkey at center after Noah Cates suffered a broken fibula and was lost for the season. The trial seemed to go well.
Any chance Barkey could start next season in the pivot?
“Great question,” Tocchet said. “When I threw him in there, I wasn’t quite sure what you were going to get. I think he handled himself really well. Is it good a guy can play both? Absolutely. That’s a luxury. If there’s a guy you can bounce around every once in a while, he’s the guy. His hockey IQ is outstanding.”
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