There are plenty of reasons why the Flyers’ season has gotten off to such a disappointing start.
Which is why putting a significant amount of the blame on one player, Matvei Michkov, would seem a bit misguided.
When Michkov and defenseman Nick Seeler had their much-ballyhooed confrontation on the Flyers’ bench during Wednesday night’s game at Edmonton, public perception went off the tracks.
Those looking to analyze the situation were quick to point out that even though the young Russian’s team-leading 10 goals (prior to Saturday action) have been encouraging, he just seems to rub some of his teammates the wrong way.
Complicating the situation was the ESPN report that Michkov wants out of Philadelphia before considering an extension of his contract which is set to expire at season’s end.
Later, both men tried to downplay the drama, stating such disagreements are simply a product of wanting to win and getting everyone back on track.
How the team goes about doing that might be the source of contention.
They could start by not airing out their dirty laundry in the middle of a game. Fans watching Michkov throwing a water bottle while sitting on the bench with Seeler standing there on the ice certainly wasn’t a good look.
And when a 19-year-old like Porter Martone has to act as peacemaker by stepping in between the two gentlemen, it’s not exactly something you will find in a NHL coaching handbook.
This wouldn’t be a big issue if a) The Flyers weren’t in last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 5-10-6 record and b) Michkov’s contract situation causing speculation as to whether the Flyers want to keep such a controversial figure in the fold.
To those who think this isn’t that big a deal, well then why was general manager Daniel Briere holding a pre-game press conference on Wednesday to tell media Michkov wants to remain a Flyer?
Likewise, if the Flyers want him to stay put.
Fact is, if the Flyers were considering a trade of the talented forward, they would be better off dealing from a position of strength (later) rather than weakness (now).
Don’t think for a minute Briere isn’t concerned. Even though the Flyers ended a five-year playoff drought last season, the GM knew he had to make some improvements to his roster.
That’s the reason why he tendered a five-year, $90-million free-agent offer sheet to Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson. That didn’t work out and the last thing Briere needs is to have a player of Michkov’s caliber simply talk about wanting to walk away at season’s end.
With Michkov, there’s also the relationship he has with coach Rick Tocchet.
Michkov had been benched for a game or two in his first season with former coach John Tortorella. No clear-cut reasons were given for those sittings but it was a known fact the player sometimes extended his shifts too long, cherrypicked in the neutral zone and wasn’t exactly Bob Gainey in the defensive section of the ice.
Things weren’t all that much better under Tocchet last season and it’s interesting to note that Michkov was benched for Game 4 of the Carolina playoff series in May. The season was on the line that night and Michkov was watching from the pressbox as the Hurricanes completed the sweep.
So, between now and next September, the Flyers have to decide which way they’re going to go with this. President of hockey operations Keith Jones, Briere and Tocchet have to sit down and talk about what is best fot the team.
Michkov has the potential to be a 40-goal scorer but is he going to be someone worth keeping if he’s a devisive force?
To his credit, Michkov has made great strides with his command of the English language. When he answered questions about the Seeler incident, he smiled, laughed and said all the right things. He indicated blowing off some steam might be a good thing.
Almost three years should have been enough time to decide what the long-term future of Michkov is in Philadelphia.
There’s going to be plenty of intrigue leading up to a decision on a new contract.
Where all this ends up could go a long way toward where the Flyers are headed in the near future and beyond.
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