“It’s just been a struggle, energy”: Flyers HC John Tortorella gives crystal clear reasoning for benching star rookie Matvei Michkov in third period
Flyers coach John Tortorella offered a blunt explanation for benching star rookie Matvei Michkov in the third period of the 3-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.
Michkov, the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, was held out for the entire final frame after struggling with his energy and skating earlier in the game, according to Tortorella.
“It’s just been a struggle, energy. The skating, energy, it’s just not there. You could see him struggling before the break. If I have to take him out, I will, or bench him during a period. It was my call,” Tortorella said.
The 20-year-old Matvei Michkov has 11 goals and 16 assists in 34 games in his debut NHL season, but he hasn’t recorded a point in the last seven outings.
This isn’t the first time Tortorella has used a benching to send a message to the talented Russian forward. Michkov was held out of games on Nov. 7 and 9 before returning to the lineup.
“If he doesn’t react the right way, he’ll keep sitting. I’m not talking about Matvei, if (any) player doesn’t react the right way.” Tortorella said two weeks prior (per The Athletic).
Noah Cates, Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost scored for the Flyers, while Troy Terry did so for the Ducks. Samuel Ersson made 31 saves, while Lukas Dostal made 22 saves in the loss.
John Tortorella addresses Matvei Michkov’s recent struggles
John Tortorella addressed the struggles that rookie Matvei Michkov has faced this NHL season. He suggested that the lengthy NHL schedule may be partly to blame for Michkov’s issues.
“I think it’s just been a little bit of a struggle for him.It’s the National Hockey League. He still has a ton tto learn as far as what it takes to play through a schedule. We’ve had a really hard schedule, and I don’t think he’s used to that,” Tortorella said last week.
The coach went on to say that it’s not unexpected for a rookie like Michkov to hit rough patches as he adjusts to the demands of pro hockey:
“We figured there’d be dips along the way,with such long schedule, the travel and just the nature of the National Hockey League. I think he’s handled it really well, but I think he’s in a little bit of a dip right now.”
Overall, Tortorella remains optimistic about Matvei Michkov’s potential.
