Rookie Matvei Michkov benched by Flyers against Lightning
Philadelphia Flyers newcomer forward Matvei Michkov will not be playing in Thursday's match against the Tampa Bay Lightning, according to coach John Tortorella.
Michkov, who was drafted seventh overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, has been a standout rookie with 10 points in 13 games. However, he also has a minus-8 rating.
Despite his impressive performance, Michkov was benched during the Flyers' previous games against the St. Louis Blues and Carolina Hurricanes.
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Tortorella, known for his tough coaching style, explained that benching young players is part of their development process.
He also mentioned that Michkov may benefit from watching the game from a distance and learning from his mistakes.
In a previous game against the Blues, Tortorella had Michkov sit out for a period to reflect on his performance. He emphasized the importance of concentration and learning from mistakes for a 19-year-old playing in the NHL.
In place of Michkov, 27-year-old forward Anthony Richard will make his debut with the Flyers after being called up from the American Hockey League's Lehigh Valley team.
