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Greg Wyshynski, ESPNOct 5, 2024, 08:00 AM ET
CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.
IT’S THE BIGGEST MYSTERY surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers, one whose answer could make or break their season:
“Can they coexist?”
Can Matvei Michkov, the 19-year-old Russian-born rookie whose offensive dexterity is only eclipsed by his boundless enthusiasm, find harmony with coach John Tortorella, whose legendary adherence to “playing the right way” has seen him bench or scratch young talent when they failed to meet his standards?
“I have no doubt that there’s going to be some fireworks here and there, just like he has with almost every single player,” Flyers general manager Danny Briere predicted. “At the end of the day, Torts is the coach and he’s going to manage him. He’s going to teach him to be a pro. Torts’ goal is to make Matvei the best player he can be.”
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The ends may justify the means, but the means can be frustrating for his players. Just ask any player who has received some of Tortorella’s trademark tough love while being deprived of playing time.
While Tortorella is a demanding coach, he’s also a realist. The Flyers were 27th in the NHL in goals per game last season (2.82). Michkov can score goals as well as he can create them for others, hitting the highlight reel with frequency. Tortorella and Michkov connected over the summer to establish expectations for his rookie season.
“I can’t wait to see how he is going to create offense [in the NHL]. I think his brain is pretty special,” Briere said. “We haven’t had this type of player in a long while here.”
Out of offensive necessity — and in defiance of his reputation — Tortorella seems ready to let Michkov be Michkov, for the betterment of the Flyers.
“We are starving for the types of instinctive plays that he can make,” said Tortorella, in his third year coaching in Philadelphia. “I’m not interested in turning him into a checker. We want to lay the foundation. It’s going to take time. But are…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41608605/nhl-flyers-matvei-michkov-john-tortorella-playoffs-stanley-cup
Author : Greg Wyshynski
Publish date : 2024-10-05 13:00:41
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