John Tortorella and Matvei Michkov (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/88b5ea4b-bc39-4c12-9776-7c3d80a64190.jpeg] John Tortorella and Matvei Michkov (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) If you’ve watched the Philadelphia Flyers this season, you wouldn’t be faulted for believing that John Tortorella has had a miserable time coaching rookie Matvei Michkov. That would be the wrong interpretation. The hard-driving Tortorella has benched Michkov during games for defensive lapses and gotten into a heated shouting match [https://thehockeynews.com/news/with-frost-and-farabee-gone-flyers-john-tortorella-finds-a-new-tenant-for-his-doghouse-in-matvei-michkov] with the 20-year-old on the bench. He even made Michkov, the Flyers’ most creative player, a healthy scratch for two games [https://thehockeynews.com/news/flyers-john-tortorella-healthy-scratching-top-rookie-matvei-michkov-is-perfectly-ok] earlier this season. Matvei Michkov has blossomed into one of the NHL's top rookies, but it hasn't been smooth sailing. All of that is just part of the process [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/were-going-to-do-it-the-right-way-flyers-head-coach-defends-handling-of-matvei-michkovs-development], Tortorella said. “There’s still a lot of teaching to be done,” he told the media on Monday [https://youtu.be/4qrb18r3SOs?si=9wp9RDOswvXSJa9L]. “I think it’s been a fantastic process. To get him over here a year earlier than we thought [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/matvei-michkov-on-adjusting-to-flyers-and-grind-of-nhl-season] and to go through the process and start the process.” The old-school coach said that has been beneficial because of “how much we’ve covered – and the way he has grown and his communication.” Entering Thursday’s game in Washington [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals] against fellow Russian Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, Michkov has 20 goals, second among NHL rookies and one goal behind San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini. The Flyers’ right winger is third among rookies with 47 points and has made himself a Calder Trophy candidate. “One of the biggest things is just integrating him to the team and to the team process, and to be a good teammate over here,” Tortorella said. “All that stuff, it's been really good.” Besides his flashy maneuvers, Michkov has shown feistiness and a willingness to stick up for teammates on the ice. “I love coaching him,” Tortorella said. “The best compliment I can give him is that he’s a hockey player. I think he wants to learn. He’s got the right type of stubbornness to him. It’s been really good.” Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] defenseman Lane Hutson (53 points) and Celebrini (50) are the Calder front-runners, but Michkov could win the award with a strong finish over the season’s final four weeks. Calgary Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames] goaltender Dustin Wolf (2.62 goals-against average, .912 save percentage), a seventh-round steal from the 2019 draft, is also in the mix. No Flyers player has ever been named the rookie of the year since the franchise started in 1967. Michkov was selected the NHL’s rookie of the month in October and February. During one stretch last month, he had eight points over a three-game stretch, the first Flyers rookie to accomplish the feat since Eric Lindros in 1992. Flyers Vs. Penguins: Who Will Be Cup Contenders Sooner? [https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/deweb-519a7.appspot.com/o/posts%2FTHNHOME%2Fcontent-images%2F0e3fd403-d8e2-4f63-83ab-413727c5221a.webp?alt=media] Flyers Vs. Penguins: Who Will Be Cup Contenders Sooner? Remember when the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins rivalry was arguably the best in the NHL, matching hated cross-state rivals who were usually among the league’s elite? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/flyers-vs-penguins-who-will-be-cup-contenders-sooner] The No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Michkov said he is looking forward to facing the 39-year-old Ovechkin again on Thursday. “It’s always a pleasure to go against a player like Alex,” Michkov said. “It’s been a big honor – and to especially be in the league when he’s so close to that amazing level (goal record). Everybody is waiting for it.” As for the Calder Trophy, Michkov conceded he is aware of the rookie race, but downplayed the award. “My main thing is to keep working,” he said, an answer that would undoubtedly make Tortorella smile. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
