Matvey Michkov made North American fans fall in love with him from the very first matches, but after his first successes, difficulties began to arise for the Russian. The striker was removed from the Philadelphia squad after a number of unsuccessful matches, but will such a measure benefit the 19-year-old player?

If the head coach does not value the Russian and is ready to marinate him in the reserves, isn’t it time for Matvey to think about returning home?

Educational measure

Russian hockey player Matvey Michkov made a brilliant start to the overseas stage of his career. The striker immediately began to please the fans with goals and assists. The player’s bright start in the NHL was appreciated and the Philadelphia forward was recognized as the best rookie of the month. Flyers fans expressed confidence that the debutant would receive the Calder Trophy at the end of the season, but then some strange things began to happen to the Russian.

Michkov has stopped scoring, fascinated hockey fans have been waiting for goals from the Russian for five matches. Criticism was added to temporary difficulties. The dissatisfaction on the part of the fans could still be brushed aside, but the coach was dissatisfied with Matvey’s performance. John Tortorella blamed the young talent for lack of concentration and even hinted that he might miss several matches.

Matvey Michkov / Photo: © Scott Taetsch / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

It turned out that the head coach of the “pilots” was not bluffing. First, Michkova’s time on ice was reduced, and then the hockey player was not included in the lineup for the match with the Tampa Bay Lightning. What happened could be perceived as a temporary measure; statistics are stubborn things, and they recorded a decline in the athlete’s play. If you wish, you can even see some element of education here that will help Matvey better adapt to overseas realities. But it cannot be ruled out that withdrawal from the squad will be the beginning of the end of Michkov’s overseas career.

“Let him return to the KHL”

The pedagogical tricks practiced by the Philadelphia coach can have a positive impact on some hockey players. But there is no guarantee that this will work as it should with Michkov. You can force Matvey to watch the match from the sidelines, you can even send him to the AHL, but there is a risk that the situation will simply break the Russian and a great talent will turn into an average hockey player who has not been able to realize his potential.

Tortorella won’t be too sad; he’s seen a lot of such talent in his time. Fans will also be able to quickly find a new idol. But Michkov himself has no right to be as indifferent to his own career. If you manage to regain the coach’s trust, that’s great, but if the young player’s neglect continues, then why bother? One of the options for overcoming the crisis was proposed by two-time Olympic champion Alexander Maltsev.

– What do I think about this situation? Don’t know. Now, in our time, they can do anything: they can put you in prison, and they will imprison you, and they can’t let you play. It all depends on the coach. Tough coach? Well, what can you do! Let him return to the KHL. If he doesn’t play there, then what to do? That’s how things are! Will it be easier for him in the KHL? Yes. Still, not every Russian can make it to the NHL,” Championship quotes Maltsev.

“We will meet again”

Perhaps the honored veteran is too categorical. If you return home at the first difficulties, then why did you go overseas at all? On the other hand, the idea of ​​returning may not be so strange if Michkova continues to marinate outside the lineup. At this point, explanations about educational measures will not be so convincing, and it will become clear that playing in the KHL is better than watching your partners play from the sidelines in the NHL.

After all, you can show off after a not very successful voyage abroad and on our side of the ocean. Vadim Shipachev’s experience could be very useful to Michkov. By the way, Matvey has a very specific option if he suddenly decides to return home.

— I immediately outlined my position that I want to play in the KHL only for SKA – no exchanges or loans. I will make my way to the NHL, but if I return to the KHL, I will only play in St. Petersburg. I’m sure we will meet again,” the SKA press service quoted Matvey.

SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg, in a conversation with Match TV, made it clear that he is not against a return, the only question is what Michkov himself wants. Matvey will certainly be able to return to the NHL if he wants: he is not yet 20, which means almost his entire career is still ahead of him. But perhaps now is the time to take a break in the North American direction, if some in the NHL doubt the Russian’s talent.