Flyers were right to bench Matvei Michkov – but he still has a part to play
Game 5 has come and gone in Steeltown, and the Sidney Crosby-led bunch are still breathing. Following a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Monday evening, the Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for a second consecutive game.
The Penguins’ victory was not the only storyline coming away from the game, mind you, as an all too familiar topic has once again taken over things regarding the Flyers.
Head coach Rick Tocchet scratched 2023 seventh overall pick Matvei Michkov for Game 5 due to his disappointing play. Michkov, 21, was held pointless through the first four games of the playoffs, playing no more than 11:25 in any of the games and playing just 17:40 across Games 2 and 3 combined.
Subjectively speaking, taking out Michkov was a questionable move before the game. Even though he had not been producing, it was fair to question how much of an impact his replacement, Alex Bump, would have on the game to warrant the switch along with the inevitable media circus that would follow. Before Game 5, a source told Daily Faceoff Bump was expected to have a big impact, citing the player’s straight-line forechecking, shoot-first nature and physical side.
Whether you disagree with benching Michkov or not, it is undeniable the impact that Bump had on last night’s game, opening the scoring and throwing four shots on net along with two hits. Logging 15:29 of time on ice. Bump was also out there in the final stages of the game while the Flyers looked to tie things up with the goalie pulled.
Speaking with sources: this year was still a “rebuilding” one for the Flyers, and Michkov’s development is important, but now that the Flyers have made the playoffs, winning games is the priority. And through the first four games Michkov wasn’t doing enough to contribute to winning games. Speaking with two executives from other NHL teams, both were in agreement with the Flyers’ decision to scratch Michkov last night after his first four playoff games.
Michkov finished the season strongly after a slow start, catching chemistry following the Olympics alongside Noah Cates. Michkov still finished the season with 20 goals and 51 points in 81 games; not exactly a “bad” season for someone thought to be having a sophomore slump. But it was abundantly apparent Michkov was struggling with the pace in the playoffs and had (seemingly) lost his chemistry with Cates. The Flyers juggled the lines in Game 4 and carried the changes into Game 5, moving Tyson Foerster down alongside Cates – the two have had past chemistry – while bumping Denver Barkey up to the top trio alongside Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett. Michkov’s struggle to keep up and produce offense (all while being somewhat of a liability defensively) made it hard to find a place for him in the lineup, according to sources.
All this being said, there is the case to be made Michkov should get a longer look higher up the lineup. Specifically alongside Zegras and Tippett (the latter has the ability to shift to the left wing), it is fair to argue Michkov would be producing more if he was deployed with top forwards rather than a defensive specialist like Cates. Moving Barkey down alongside Cates and Foerster and Bump into Garnet Hathaway’s spot on the fourth line would arguably give Tocchet the most options up front.
This is even more debatable when you factor in the Flyers’ struggles offensively the past two games in their losing efforts, mustering up just two goals in each. Especially if they are to go on to the next round versus the Carolina Hurricanes, it would behoove Tocchet and the Flyers to get Michkov going – especially when you consider the quiet series offensively from Travis Konecny and Foerster, along with Tippett and Martone cooling off in recent games after a hot start to the post season.
The Flyers’ fourth line was relied on heavily during the early games of the series, and while they have still done well and played their part, their limitations have been more apparent while chasing the lead over the past two contests. Having Michkov in the lineup and deployed in a more favorable position would, theoretically, help while chasing a goal.
All this to say, it starts with Michkov improving his game and being a good teammate when not playing and ensuring he’s ready when the next opportunity comes, controlling the controllable. A one-game benching is not the end of the world and was warranted, but given the Flyers’ offensive limitations, it would not be shocking to see him put back in – and that’s when the chips will truly be down for Michkov.
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