Flyers Star Matvei Michkov Wants to Win with Rick Tocchet, No Matter What

Star Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov has only been in the NHL for one season, but he’s already tired of all the losing.

As far as Michkov is concerned, it’s time to win.

In the 20-year-old’s first season in North America, he finished second only to Travis Konecny in scoring and led the Flyers in goals with 26. Michkov, however, would trade individual accolades for team success anytime.

“The most important thing is for the team to reach the playoffs. If I have fewer points, but the team makes the playoffs, I’ll take that over having more points and missing the playoffs,” Michkov told RG in a recent interview. “I’m tired of losing. I want to win.”

League-worst goaltending, injuries, and trades doomed the Flyers to a 33-39-10 record and a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Head coach John Tortorella was fired on March 27 after some off-ice clashes and a 28-36-9 record through 73 games.

“For my first NHL season, Tortorella was probably the best coach I could’ve had. From day one, he explained everything clearly and was always honest with me,” Michkov said of Tortorella.

With interim head coach Brad Shaw electing to step away from the Flyers entirely, Michkov will technically be playing under his third head coach in two seasons, with Philadelphia hiring franchise icon Rick Tocchet as the 25th head coach in team history.

“A new coach always means a fresh start. I don’t know him personally, so I can’t say much yet,” Michkov told RG of Tocchet.

The Flyers’ franchise player did subtly note, however, something he hopes improves during life under Tocchet.

“I just hope I’ll have freedom on the ice. When I feel limited, I start focusing on the wrong things. I just want to have ice time and not feel restricted. That’s when I play my best.

“The main thing is that the team improves and makes the playoffs.” 

Michkov will be happy to know that Tocchet previously coached stars like Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Quinn Hughes to their most productive seasons in the NHL.

That kind of development is exactly what the Flyers want out of Tocchet, and if Michkov is to take the same leap, team success will come in lockstep.

“I think it was a great season,” Michkov said of his rookie year. “But I really want to make the playoffs every year and fight for the Stanley Cup.”

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