If there is one thing John Tortorella has made it clear during his 23 years as an NHL coach, he is not going to miss an opportunity to send a message to a player who needs it.
Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov learned this the hard way Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The Flyers’ top prospect found himself benched for a couple of shifts in the first period.
While many believe this was a punishment from his coach, Tortorella described it more as a way for the rookie to learn from his mistakes by seeing rather than just going back out on the ice.
“He’s a 19 year old kid playing in the best league in the world. I think he’s beginning to see what the national league is, as far as the speed, as far as the time and space, all the things that come with it. There are going to be some major struggles within 5-on-5. We expect that,” Tortorella explained when asked about Michkov. “Where I’m going to have to teach, and in that teaching moment, I’m not going to tell you what it’s all about, but if we keep on seeing the same mistake, and it just completely is not concentrating on a certain part of the game.”
Despite the benching, the seventh-overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft has come as advertised. He was named the Rookie of the Month for October on Friday after scoring four goals and nine points in 11 games.
While the 19-year-old has had good moments, Tortorella has seen dips in his game. The Flyers coach also believes Michkov is adjusting to the difference in the NHL schedule and what the young Russian had become accustomed to in the KHL.
“You don’t play four games in six nights over there. He doesn’t play against competition like he plays here…I’ve been very honest with him about that. He’s going to miss some ice. He’s gonna watch the game. It’s not me screaming at him. It’s telling him this is how it works,” Tortorella added. “And if I think other guys are going and you’re struggling in certain situations, and it’s repetitive, you’re gonna have to sit and watch for a little bit. That’s all that was.”
