It was only a matter of time before this happened. For the first time this season, Matvei Michkov will be a healthy scratch for the Flyers.
This is all a part of the plan with him as John Tortorella has talked multiple times about how they will be working with him throughout the season. Whether that’s cutting back on his ice time or having him watch a game from the press box, this doesn’t appear to be a need for concern.
“He may miss some games. Who knows? I don’t know what’s going to happen. But that’s part of the development of a 19 year old kid,” Tortorella said after the Blues game last Thursday.
That was the first time that Michkov missed some ice time. After a rough first shift in which he turned the puck off in a dangerous spot, Michkov said out his next few rotations before returning. He was then benched in the third period against Carolina and was not one of the players used with the extra attacker.
So this was bound to happen at this point.
Michkov scratched against Lightning
There’s nothing wrong with Michkov, or any young player, taking a breath and watching the game from a different view. It’s an adjustment playing in the NHL, especially when you’re learning the language and an entirely new culture at the same time.
This doesn’t mean that things are going wrong or that Michkov is now in the doghouse. It just gives him a break during a stretch in which he had been struggling to create offense. Michkov has one point in his last five games after starting the season with nine points in his first eight games. His only point right now, an assist, came on the power play. A majority of his points have come on the man advantage.
All points count the same, but you’d like to see Michkov create more offense at even strength. And while it’s not all his fault, the Flyers have been out scored 10-4 with Michkov on the ice. And the high danger chances are 40-29 with him as well.
Anthony Richard, who leads the Phantoms in points, will get a chance in Michkov’s absence. It’s hard to say how long this could last, but it’s likely that Michkov will be back this weekend against Florida. Having a chance to watch a player like Nikita Kucherov from up top doesn’t hurt either.
This likely won’t be the last time that Michkov will take a seat. It’s going to be a learning experience throughout the entire year. But there’s a reason the Flyers were excited to have him learn from a coach like Tortorella.