Flyers: Olympic Champion Predicts Matvei Michkov's Future Under Rick Tocchet

New Flyers coach Rick Tocchet is expected to emphasize defense with Matvei Michkov. (Photo: Bob Frid, Imagn Images)

Ilya Vorobyov, a former Russian national team head coach and Olympic champion, sees lots of defense in the future of Matvei Michkov under new Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet.

Michkov, 20, already had quite the challenge--one he relished--in his first NHL season, playing for the notoriously stern and now-fired John Tortorella. Vorobyov knows this, but he also knows how talented Russian wingers have gotten on with Tocchet in the past.

Former Flyers forward Andrei Kuzmenko, who was in Philadelphia for a cup of coffee before the NHL trade deadline, and Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin were two such examples Vorobyov gave in his assessment and prediction.

Neither player lasted a full season under Tocchet during their time with the Vancouver Canucks.

"From Andrei Kuzmenko in Vancouver, he demanded that he practice defense. Michkov in Philadelphia has already added a little in defense and should add more in this regard. I don't think he'll forbid Michkov from the lacrosse," Vorobyov, who previously briefly worked alongside Tocchet with the Canucks, said of Michkov and his new coach, as quoted by TASS.

"We can recall that in terms of working with Vasily Podkolzin and Kuzmenko, Tocchet had, one might say, ups and downs. He is a tough coach, has his way, with him it is necessary to work out very well in defense. [John Tortorella] is also a stern man, even more old-fashioned than Tocchet."

Michkov himself is already hoping for more freedom and more consistent ice time in life after Tortorella, though he's happy to sacrifice individual points, goals, and accolades for the greater success of the Flyers.

This is Tocchet's mission in Philadelphia, as claimed by himself and by Flyers general manager Danny Briere.

Together, they hope that Michkov and the team's other notable up-and-coming talents continue to grow and ultimately flourish under Tocchet's tutelage.

The Russian phenom is already surprisingly strong in winning puck battles in the offensive and defensive zones, which speaks to his hockey IQ, knack for timing, and sometimes, contact balance.

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes is similar in this regard as someone who is rather small but has world-class efficiency and a dexterous defensive stick.

Michkov does, however, have a penchant for exiting the defensive zone in anticipation of his teammates making the right play and sending him through on goal the other way.

How Tocchet manages this remains to be seen, as the concept of offensive development can be different than putting it into practice, ultimately.

The 61-year-old newly-minted Flyers head coach has his skeptics early on, but he'll be happy to know that Michkov is already bought in.