Philadelphia Flyers star rookie Matvei Michkov has been the talk of the hockey community town this season, and he’s been just as popular back from in Russia since coming over to Philadelphia.
On both sides of the pond, a lot has been made of Michkov’s relationship with Flyers head coach John Tortorella, especially after the 19-year-old’s two-game stint in the press box a few weeks ago. However, those who have been around hockey for a while know that their relationship is both healthy and normal.
Former NHL star Evgeny Kuznetsov, who won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018, agrees. He’s also played for some tough coaches in his day, like Rod Brind’Amour, Peter Laviolette, and Barry Trotz. Kuznetsov has some advice, from personal experience, that will almost assuredly resonate with the young Michkov.
“Many Russian players think that if you ask questions, you’re either showing weakness or sucking up. In fact, this is normal,” Kuznetsov said in an interview with Responsible Gambler. “The more questions (Michkov) asks, the more information he gets.”
Tortorella has since revealed that he has weekly meetings with Michkov and the Flyers’ interpreter, Slava Kuznetsov, to go over things one-on-one.
“Judging by the words of Tortorella, who says he constantly talks individually with Matvei,” continued Kuznetsov. “He believes in him. He will not waste his time just like that.
“(Michkov) must absorb all the information like a sponge. Even if something doesn’t work out, he shouldn’t give up, but listen and work. Even if they raise their voice at him or put pressure on him, he needs to learn to swallow it, turn the page, and come back the next day with a smile.”
Michkov adjusting to Flyers, new environment
Since being benched by Tortorella for two games and returning to the lineup, Michkov has not gone more than two games in a row without scoring points.
The Flyers rookie had overtime game-winning goals on Nov. 14 against Ottawa and on Nov. 23 against Chicago and has since vaulted himself into first place in goals among NHL rookies this season.
Michkov is now up to eight goals, nine assists, and 17 assists in 22 games and is on pace for roughly 30 goals, 34 assists, and 64 points in 80 games. Superstar wingers Artemi Panarin and Alex Ovechkin are the last two Russian rookies to score 30 or more goals in a season, so Michkov could make a little bit of history for the Flyers if he keeps plugging along in this way.
Dominik Kubalik is the only NHL rookie to have scored 30 goals in a season since 2017-18.
