VOORHEES, N.J. — Rick Tocchet always liked Matvei Michkov’s competitiveness. From the start, there was never a question about the kid’s drive.
The head coach highlighted that back on the first day of training camp.
Sure, Michkov didn’t have the best offseason coming into camp. And that, ultimately, was talked about, too.
But early on, Tocchet spotted a determined player. And he’s noticing it now, as well, a sign that Michkov is poised for what the Flyers hope will be a big summer. On Tuesday, while addressing the media, Michkov mentioned that he would be taking the ice once he wrapped up his interview.
He wasn’t kidding.
“I think he skated yesterday; it’s pretty cool,” Tocchet said Wednesday at his end-of-the-season press conference. … “I want him to take a break, I’m not going to tell him what to do, but for him to go out and shoot pucks yesterday, it’s almost like a vengeance tour. And I love that. I think every player should have some kind of motivation in their head to prove anybody wrong. I think that’s really important.”
Michkov was benched twice during the Flyers’ playoff run, which ended with a second-round sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes. The young winger didn’t play in the season-ending, 3-2 overtime loss four days ago.
The Flyers decided they wanted more speed in Game 4, so Tocchet turned to Jett Luchanko, a 19-year-old who made his playoff debut. Tocchet pointed out that Michkov wasn’t the only player having a tough stretch.
“Listen, it’s not like everybody was on point in their game; I’m not going to single out him, there were a couple of guys that had struggled,” Tocchet said. “Just at that moment, as a coaching staff, talked to other people in the organization, we just felt, hey, maybe a little fresh air.
“And Mich, it’s his first playoff run, he’s a second-year player. I think if it happened to another young guy, nobody would really say anything. But it’s the pressure of that. We’ve just got to let this kid breathe because I think he has made a lot of strides. I can’t talk for last year, but I can talk for this year that he has made some strides.”
After putting up 26 goals and 63 points as a rookie last season, Michkov had a polarizing sophomore slump. He still finished with 20 goals and 51 points, but his first season under Tocchet elicited all kinds of attention.
But Tocchet saw growth after the Olympic break, from Michkov’s participation in team meetings to him understanding the coaches more and connecting with his teammates.
“The kid wants it,” Tocchet said. “But we have to understand he’s 21 years old. He wants it and we have the tools to help him. This summer, for him, he has already got all these different plans, which is great.
“I think there’s something he can work on this summer — separation speed, his shot, all that stuff he can work on. But it’s not just him; every young guy, I could carbon copy the exact same thing. You have to be able to improve on all different areas, but he does want to improve.
“He’s one of those self-starters where he wants it. He’s learning to understand certain things and how we do things around here. He’s a spoke in the wheel. And he’s a big spoke for us if we can develop him.”