During a recent appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman discussed the situation surrounding Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov. He was questioned about whether the Flyers were heading down a similar road as the Anaheim Ducks with Trevor Zegras.
Friedman expressed a positive view of how the Flyers’ existing players supported Michkov, highlighting their commendations as a crucial factor. He noted that he hadn’t observed any signs of player discontent when Michkov was a healthy scratch, suggesting the team understood the reasons for his limited ice time.
He emphasized that Michkov is a young Russian player navigating North America and facing numerous challenges. Friedman compared the situation to being a “stranger in a strange land” and stressed the importance for the Flyers to proceed with caution, given Michkov’s talent and his desire to play for the organization. He pointed out that Michkov could have been drafted higher, and giving up on such a player would be at the team’s own risk.
Friedman expressed a strong hope that Michkov would commit to spending a significant portion of the summer in the Philadelphia area, believing it could greatly benefit his development. He drew a parallel to the Vincent Lecavalier and John Tortorella situation under Jay Feaster, where a firm approach was taken to ensure the player worked through issues.
The article notes that Michkov acknowledges his initial disadvantage entering training camp and that he needed better preparation, especially with a new coach. While the Flyers recognize his potential, they also see areas for improvement in his game. However, the sentiment is that with highly skilled players, it’s important to allow them to utilize their strengths before focusing entirely on other aspects of their game.
