The Philadelphia Flyers have been on a roller coaster this past weekend, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4–3 in a thrilling shootout victory Saturday night before getting embarrassed at home by the New York Rangers 6-2. Not much has gone right for this team lately, but one positive development has been Matvei Michkov’s shift to the right wing and the effectiveness we’ve seen from the move.
In the wake of the Flyers dealing forward Bobby Brink to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman David Jiricek, head coach Rick Tocchet was more or less forced to move Michkov to the right wing. Brink – who was playing on the right wing on the same line as Michkov – was a guy that Tocchet relied on heavily in his first 60 games coaching the Flyers.
He had Brink playing first-line power-play minutes, over Michkov, who, just last year, was one of the Flyers’ most prolific power play weapons.
It had been apparent for much of the season that Matvei Michkov looked slightly uncomfortable playing left wing. It’s not the natural position he grew up playing, and even last season under John Tortorella, he spent most of his time on the right side. Still, Rick Tocchet opted to start him on the left wing.
Rick Tocchet made is clear moving Michkov wasn’t his first choice
A few months ago, Tocchet was asked about his decision to move Matvei to the left, and his explanation was fairly uncertain.
“Whether it’s right or left, it really doesn’t matter. It’s just to line up,” Tocchet said via The Inquirer. “When you’re in the offensive zone, it doesn’t matter where you [start]. So I think everybody makes a big deal. But through the neutral zone, for me, the faster you can go on your forehand is the better [side]. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go to the other side.”
After the Brink trade, Michkov must have talked to Tocchet about moving back to the right wing, and with the Flyers being down a right winger – and new call-up Alex Bump being a left winger – it has put Tocchet in a bit of a handicap regarding where to put the young 21-year-old winger.
In a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Tocchet was asked whether or not moving Michkov to the right wing was to pair him with Barkey, and he responded in a less explanatory way and more pointing his finger at the player.
“Well, Bobby leaving, and then Mich wants to try it. We’ll see. I’ve got my thoughts on that, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Not exactly the vote of confidence you would expect from your head coach, but one positive is that it seems Michkov knows he’s more comfortable on the right, and over the past two games, he’s proven that to be true.
Michkov’s play has exploded after the move to the right side
Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins was one of the first games in a very long time in the Rick Tocchet era in which Matvei Michkov was lined up on the right wing. He didn’t let the opportunity go to waste as he set up his linemate, Denver Barkey, with a beautiful pass across the middle of the ice to assist on Barkey’s game-tying goal midway through the second period.
Michkov looked like a confident player with the puck, and that carried over into Monday night’s game against the New York Rangers. The Flyers got embarrassed, getting blown out 6-2; however, Matvei Michkov was one of the few bright spots in what was otherwise a dim game.
He scored on one of the Flyers’ three power play opportunities from down low on the right side after scooping up a rebound from a Jamie Drysdale point shot.
MATVEI MICHKOV STAYS WITH IT AND BANGS IT HOME!! INSANE HANDS. 3-1…#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/k2NfurFPEF
— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) March 10, 2026
In the absence of Bobby Brink due to the trade, Michkov has now been upgraded to first-line power play opportunities, and he’s making the most of it. Creating offense and looking like his dangerous 2024-25 self.
The need to keep Michkov on the right side for the rest of the season is only highlighted by the fact that he has seen his power-play production increase when in that more comfortable position.
.@nhlflyers Michkov's goal today was 12th PP goal of @NHL career
— Alexander Appleyard (@avappleyard) March 10, 2026
8/12 PP goals have came from right side. From 39 SOG.
20.5% sh%
3/12 PP goals have came from left side. From 30 SOG.
10% sh%
1/12 PP goals from slot, started on RHB. From 7 SOG.
14% sh%#Flyers #NHL
Eight of Michkov’s 12 power play goals have come from the right side, while only three have come from the left. His shooting percentage is also double while on the right side at 20 percent versus 10 on the left.
After seeing stats like these, it really makes you scratch your head as to why Michkov hasn’t been playing on the right side all season. In his brief two-game showcase there, Michkov is a point-per-game player, with a goal and an assist, so it begs the question – how different could his season have looked if he was on the right the whole time?
