{"id":222202,"date":"2025-10-13T19:15:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/222202\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T19:15:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:15:06","slug":"rick-tocchet-explains-matvei-michkovs-slow-start-to-flyers-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/222202\/","title":{"rendered":"Rick Tocchet explains Matvei Michkov\u2019s slow start to Flyers season"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s only been two games, but after Saturday\u2019s overtime loss to Carolina \u2014 one which didn\u2019t see Matvei Michkov on the ice for the extra session \u2014 some began to wonder if something was wrong with the Flyers sophomore phenom. <\/p>\n

Well, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet shed some light after Monday\u2019s practice. Namely, Michkov is recovering from an ankle injury that took place over the summer.<\/p>\n

Tocchet says that re: Michkov, he did deal with an ankle injury this summer that affected some of his offseason training. He’s fully healthy now, though.<\/p>\n

“So he’s a little bit behind the eight-ball when it comes to that, but it’s something that we’re going to correct.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Charlie O’Connor (@charlieo_conn) October 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Michkov played 14:57 time-on-ice in the season opener in Florida on Thursday and saw that ice time reduced slightly in Carolina (13:27), the latter not seeing him record a shot on goal. Last season, Michkov recorded no shots on goal only eight times. One of those eight was also his second game of the year against the Flames in a 6-3 loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s been a big issue here,\u201d Tocchet told the media after practice Monday<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019ve had five power plays against, so the game is 50 minutes now. And against Carolina we had four or five power plays against us. So all of a sudden he\u2019s getting 15 minutes. If we don\u2019t have penalties he\u2019s probably getting about 17 minutes. I think everybody is making an issue of it. Second of all, I think he dealt with something this summer, something with an ankle, I didn\u2019t even know about, and it limited some of his training. So he\u2019s a little bit behind the eight-ball when it comes to that. But it\u2019s something we\u2019re going to correct. But I think he got a little bit behind the eight-ball when he came to camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was no word as to when the injury took place. But an injured ankle would certainly hamper any professional athlete when it came to training or gym work in preparing for a rigorous season. So while he\u2019s not hampered by a lingering or nagging injury, the fact his conditioning might not be at the optimal level he\u2019d want would be a temporary issue. That could explain why Michkov looked a little out of sorts so far two games in. <\/p>\n

Of course, playing two of arguably the best teams in the Eastern Conference for the first three games of the year probably isn\u2019t a huge help. And Michkov\u2019s line featuring Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny aren\u2019t quite working on all cylinders yet. So at least there\u2019s an explanation why Michkov isn\u2019t looking fully 100 per cent thus far.<\/p>\n

Michkov was reportedly involved in a car accident in Dubai<\/a> in May but at the time there was no report of any injury. Regardless of when the injury happened or how it happened, the fact the winger is on the ice now and hasn\u2019t missed any time is the main thing. It might just take little longer to see him at his best. <\/p>\n

But for now Michkov will be lined up with Konecny and Couturier this evening when the Flyers play their home opener against the Panthers. The game will also see the season debut of Emil Andrae as Cam York remains out of the lineup and Egor Zamula appears to be a healthy scratch.<\/p>\n

\t