John Tortorella puts his foot down with statement about Matvei Michkov

The Flyers pre-season schedule kicked off yesterday with a 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals. 2023 7th overall pick Matvei Michkov was prominent in the game, particularly in the offensive zone where he is at his most comfortable. He was noticeable in a good way throughout the game and even picked up an assist on a Morgan Frost goal.

This will not come as a surprise to fans who are familiar with Michkov's game. Many scouts had him ranked as his as 2nd in his draft class and he only fell to the Flyers due to unspecified 'character concerns' other teams had. Their loss is Philadelphia's gain though as Michkov appears to be ready to take the NHL by storm. That being said, Flyers head coach John Tortorella has seemingly dampened expectations for the rookie with a statement about him today.

Some fans have taken this to mean that Michkov will not be made available to the media every day. However, it could also be interpreted as a comment about his usage in the lineup as he was not really specific. Could this mean that Michkov will be given days off, similar to how the Ducks treated Leo Carlsson last season? That might not be a bad idea for his development, but it would certainly hurt his chances at winning the Calder trophy as rookie of the year.

With that being said, Tortorella made headlines for another reason today, as he invited Guy Gaudreau to the team's practice following the loss of his sons Johnny and Matthew. It was an awesome gesture that shows what kind of person Tortorella is, even if he has an abrasive personality at times.

Hopefully, Michkov will earn a steady spot in the lineup for the Flyers this season where he can excel at offense while rounding out his game and adapting to the more physical style of the NHL. Before long, he will likely become one of the best players in the league.

Source: HabsFanatics
John Tortorella sends a clear message that there will be no Michkov show this season