John Tortorella benches Flyers' top rookie Matvei Michkov and sends a major warning to him
John Tortorella is never afraid to shy away from a controversial move, and he did just that by benching top rookie Matvei Michkov and sent him a huge warning.
John Tortorella has a reputation in the NHL for being hard on young players, and Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov hasn't been spared.
On Saturday, Matvei Michkov sat the entire third period on the bench, playing only nine minutes and seven seconds for the game.
Post-game, there was some concern for the rookie's status, but John Tortorella quickly put those to rest, saying it was his call to bench Michkov.
"It's just been a struggle, energy," said Tortorella of Michkov's play. "The skating, energy, it's just not there. You could see him struggling before the break. If I have to take him out I will, or bench him during a period. It was my call."
Not only did the coach take responsibility, but he also, in a way, warned that Michkov may meet the same fate if he doesn't pick up his game.
That leaves the healthy scratch as the next probable step, though Tortorella hasn't hinted at such a move coming soon.
Those struggles aside, Michkov is still the most dynamic Flyers player. The 20-year-old has scored 11 goals and dished out 16 assists, earning 27 points in 34 games this season.
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple wake-up call to get players back on the right track, but there are other times when benchings and scratches can ruin a player's morale and lead to an extended slump. We shall see how this situation plays out.
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