It’s nearly the end of July, but there’s no shortage of things to talk about surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers this week.
That’s partially due to Matvei Michkov, who draws eyes no matter what he’s doing. This time, it was another Michigan goal in the KHL “Match of the Year” charity game in Russia over the weekend.
Michkov still thinks a Michigan goal in the NHL is ahead of him, and everyone marveled at his lacrosse-style tally as part of a hat trick in that game.
That includes head coach Rick Tocchet.
Tocchet joined PHLY’s Anthony Gargano Show on Wednesday for a lengthy conversation that included Matvei Michkov, offseason plans, the Leo Carlsson offer sheet, and the pressure of the season ahead.
“He’s got great hands. The one thing is usually you have to go top shelf,” he said. “The thing that I loved about it was how he changed the height of the puck on that goal. Usually it’s high, so it went low. It’s good to see. It’s good to see him out there playing. Those charity events and those types of games you can really show your skill, and it’s really fun to watch.”
Michkov had a bit of a down sophomore season under Tocchet, dropping from 26 goals and 63 points to 20 goals and 51 points.
The Russian winger also made headlines with his plans to skip vacation in order to return for training in Philadelphia. This comes after training as many as three times a day for a few weeks in Russia.
Michkov is still just 21 years old, and Tocchet noted how the youngster showed maturity throughout a tough season.
“You’re talking about maturity, and as the season went on, he got better understanding,” he said. “I talked to his agent once, I think he’s a great conduit for Mich, about him trying to learn English. I’d like to see him really dial in. It really will help.”
Michkov is still developing more of a style befitting of the North American game, and perhaps some things are lost in translation for the winger.
“We have a translator that comes around once in a while, but maybe get a tutor, really learn the language, because, like I said, some things are set. In any language, there’s a different way of saying it,” Tocchet continued. “Hopefully, he’ll learn English a little bit better then we can communicate a little better. Just not him, everybody.”
Flyers coaches thinking outside the box this offseason
Tocchet knows that he and the rest of the coaching staff have to help, too.
“We did a lot of work after the season … I wanted our coaches to really dive into this year, look at some outside-the-box stuff. How do we get better at certain areas of our game? Give them projects. And we’ll meet August 15. So I want these guys, the last three, four weeks, get away from the game, refresh their brain. Let’s come up with some new stuff.
“Sometimes you like what’s going on, but we have to bring something fresh to the players. When they come into training camp, we can’t do the same thing. So we have some things up our sleeve that we’re going to try that I think the players will be excited about. Hopefully, it works, but I think it’s important that you do that as a coach. You have to reinvent yourself every year.”
One of the areas that the Flyers have needed to improve for years is the power play, and Tocchet knows as much. He brought up how the power play could’ve changed the game and the series against the Hurricanes.
“Game 3 killed us. I know it’s a hot topic, the power play. We had a 5-on-3, it’s a 1-1 hockey game, and they get a shorthanded goal. That just can’t happen in those moments. So how do we learn from that moment? You never know, you score there, if we win the game.”
It certainly couldn’t hurt to think of some outside-the-box ideas for the power play in particular.
And despite getting swept, Tocchet and the rest of the organization noticed the standing ovation and support the fans showed after the loss.
“There’s a lot of what ifs, I get it,” he continued, “but my point is, leaving that arena, thinking these guys are behind you, what are you going to do for them? No different than me. I got to figure out how to be a better coach this summer and how I’m going to bring some new ideas to the team and things like that.”
While the power play was a problem, the Flyers were a bit more defensive-minded last season, bringing an identity that made them hard to play against. That’s huge for developing in a rebuild rather than getting blown out in high-scoring games.
“If you can get guys to stay in those pressure games. We had a lot of pressure games last year,” Tocchet said. “I think it really helps the younger guys grow, development-wise. Obviously, getting those playoff games in was huge for the young guys.”
One of those young guys is Porter Martone, who Tocchet revealed returned to Michigan State this year to train.
“They did a real nice job with him last year. He got stronger over there, so he really liked the program they did there, so I think he’ll spend some time there,” he said. “A lot of guys will come back here in August.”
Tocchet reacts to Ducks matching Leo Carlsson offer sheet
A player that won’t be on the ice in Voorhees later this summer is Leo Carlsson. There was some hope during early July that the Ducks wouldn’t match the offer sheet, but, of course, Anaheim retained their free agent.
“I think we were all excited. The guy’s everything you want in a player,” Tocchet said. “People were saying percentages — we knew it was a good chance that he wouldn’t, but you had to take a swing… The rules say you can do that stuff, and that’s the way it is. We took a shot, and now you move on to whatever the next play is.”
While it was disappointing, Tocchet is excited for the future of the Orange and Black.
“The young guys we have, they’re growing together. Along the way, if we acquire that guy, great,” he said, “but in the meantime, I think we got some really good hockey players that really want to learn and get better.”
He knows that the pressure is on after making the playoffs last season.
“I’m really excited about this year going in. I know there are expectations and pressure, which we got to learn how to deal with. And you’ve got to deal with it now.
“I always tell the players, the season’s over, see you boys, we’ll see you September 15. And if you don’t work on those three months of reps on the ice, being in shape, make sure you’re prepared for that stuff. If you’re not prepared, the pressure hits you, and you’re not ready. It’s no different from myself. So you got to handle the pressure.”
