The coach is def an issue. Do say otherwise is wrong.

Don't care about his plus/minus. Let him play his game and be the dynamic player many think and want him to be. Don't bastardize his game.
- furio16

I don't think you understand how to develop a young player. No one is bastardizing Michkov. He needs to learn the NHL game and that takes time. My only complaint is I would like to see him out there for more minutes per game. Under 10 minutes is not enough.

I agree ... I don't know what the plan is, but I am willing to give Briere this off season to make it clearer. If the Flyers return basically the same team next year I will be off the Briere bandwagon.
- jd250

No you won't. You'll spin it and make up some excuse. It used to be the deadline, now you've moved the goal post to the off season.

True, but luck permeates the entire draft, from the top of the first round to the late rounds. If the draft was an exact science with predictable outcomes, a lot more tanking teams who pick high for several season would be winning cups. The odds are better at the top no doubt, but nothing is close to a guarantee. Its more about when a team is picking versus how many top picks they get.
- jd250

I guess the Flyers are just one of the unluckiest teams in the NHL. Nothing is a guarantee but using simple common sense. Wouldn't a team adopt a strategy that gives the best odds?

I don't think you understand how to develop a young player. No one is bastardizing Michkov. He needs to learn the NHL game and that takes time. My only complaint is I would like to see him out there for more minutes per game. Under 10 minutes is not enough.
- jd250

Yes, I do not understand. Maybe I will get a development book for dummies. Any recommendations.

No I don't think the coach is the issue because I see other players much more aggressive on the puck in the d-zone. It's no accident that Michkov has the 3rd worst +/- on the team. You can see him often losing his coverage in this own zone, and just floating to pucks along the board and point versus aggressively attacking them. I am sure confidence is part of it, where he is thinking about what to do versus instinctively doing it, but that is to be expected from a 20 year old in his first NHL season. I don't know of any kid from the KHL or juniors that came into the NHL and magically knew how to play in his own end.
- jd250

At this point in time, who cares how Michkov plays in the defensive zone. None of that has to be expected. Tortorella has created that in the player.

No I don't think the coach is the issue because I see other players much more aggressive on the puck in the d-zone. It's no accident that Michkov has the 3rd worst +/- on the team. You can see him often losing his coverage in this own zone, and just floating to pucks along the board and point versus aggressively attacking them. I am sure confidence is part of it, where he is thinking about what to do versus instinctively doing it, but that is to be expected from a 20 year old in his first NHL season. I don't know of any kid from the KHL or juniors that came into the NHL and magically knew how to play in his own end.
- jd250

Michkov is a rookie who hasn’t played this amount of hockey in this short of a period. I think he’ll be fine. This is quite a jump in hockey, in life and in culture for the kid. As long as they are communicating with him, and I believe they are, then I think this year has gone extremely well.

What is a Risto believer?
- furio16

Risto is playing some really solid minutes…..I’m not one that ever pumped his tires, but I also realized he wasn’t as bad as most wanted us to beleive. If he can keep this up, and use the 4 nations as a showcase with a strong showing against some of the worlds best, his over all stock price will probably be as high as it’s been since he was was high draft pick and seen as a top pair potential d man….hopefully our GM does the right thing.

True, but luck permeates the entire draft, from the top of the first round to the late rounds. If the draft was an exact science with predictable outcomes, a lot more tanking teams who pick high for several season would be winning cups. The odds are better at the top no doubt, but nothing is close to a guarantee. Its more about when a team is picking versus how many top picks they get.
- jd250

You have a better chance at getting elite talent in the top 5 of the draft (say a Cale Makar) than you do drafting in the teens (say The Room™)

Risto is playing some really solid minutes…..I’m not one that ever pumped his tires, but I also realized he wasn’t as bad as most wanted us to beleive. If he can keep this up, and use the 4 nations as a showcase with a strong showing against some of the worlds best, his over all stock price will probably be as high as it’s been since he was was high draft pick and seen as a top pair potential d man….hopefully our GM does the right thing.
- landros 2

Extend him?

Risto is playing some really solid minutes…..I’m not one that ever pumped his tires, but I also realized he wasn’t as bad as most wanted us to beleive. If he can keep this up, and use the 4 nations as a showcase with a strong showing against some of the worlds best, his over all stock price will probably be as high as it’s been since he was was high draft pick and seen as a top pair potential d man….hopefully our GM does the right thing.
- landros 2

Can't wait to see his usage in that tournament. Wonder if Danny will whine about that as well.

Do not see any legit contender inserting Risto into their top 4. Do any of those teams play anything similar to what the Flyers play defensively? He can help a bottom pair no doubt.

True, but luck permeates the entire draft, from the top of the first round to the late rounds. If the draft was an exact science with predictable outcomes, a lot more tanking teams who pick high for several season would be winning cups. The odds are better at the top no doubt, but nothing is close to a guarantee. Its more about when a team is picking versus how many top picks they get.
- jd250

Everybody knows this. But the draft has been going on long enough to know that the higher you draft, the better chance you have to get an elite player. That is a fact.

I look at EVERY cup winner in the last 20 years plus and count how many multiple top 5 picks they have on their rosters. You can't win without them. Even 2019 St. Louis had a 3rd, 4th, and 5th overall pick on their roster. Yes, they didn't draft them, but they were there.

We may think the Flyers will be able to wheel and deal to trade for players like this, but it's rare. The bottom line is that history has proven that in the cap era you need to draft these players. Pointing to Buffalo over and over doesn't disprove anything. In fact it serves to illustrate what happens when you have a terrible front office.

I point to every other team who HAS won.

That's your pet phrase. He's behind the play or can't keep up. It has nothing to do with conditioning and everything to do with confidence. Which Tortorella is helping to diminish. Defense and wins should not come first ahead of the development of this teams currently only young asset. This team has no chance of winning.
- MJL

Explain how he is diminishing his confidence? holding a player accountable is always good coaching.

No you won't. You'll spin it and make up some excuse. It used to be the deadline, now you've moved the goal post to the off season.
- MJL

Well i personally gave it to draft day.

If nothing has change then I'll be the first 1 yelling

Can't wait to see his usage in that tournament. Wonder if Danny will whine about that as well.

Do not see any legit contender inserting Risto into their top 4. Do any of those teams play anything similar to what the Flyers play defensively? He can help a bottom pair no doubt.
- furio16

The way he’s playing now I think he could fit in ANY top teams top 4. Can he keep that up? I’m still a bit skeptical.

Extend him?
- corduroy

The way he’s playing now I think he could fit in ANY top teams top 4. Can he keep that up? I’m still a bit skeptical.
- landros 2

Would shock me if any contender sees him as valid top 4 option. All moot anyway as he isn't going anywhere.

Everybody knows this. But the draft has been going on long enough to know that the higher you draft, the better chance you have to get an elite player. That is a fact.

I look at EVERY cup winner in the last 20 years plus and count how many multiple top 5 picks they have on their rosters. You can't win without them. Even 2019 St. Louis had a 3rd, 4th, and 5th overall pick on their roster. Yes, they didn't draft them, but they were there.

We may think the Flyers will be able to wheel and deal to trade for players like this, but it's rare. The bottom line is that history has proven that in the cap era you need to draft these players. Pointing to Buffalo over and over doesn't disprove anything. In fact it serves to illustrate what happens when you have a terrible front office.

I point to every other team who HAS won.
- MBFlyerfan

That’s the whole story in building a team into a winner….regardless of said plan, you need people at the top aggressively implementing a solid plan that has a vision to succeed. You need competent people making competent decisions. Frankly at this point, I’m still on the fence. Some good, some bad….along with a “cloudy” somewhat incoherent plan.

I don't think you understand how to develop a young player. No one is bastardizing Michkov. He needs to learn the NHL game and that takes time. My only complaint is I would like to see him out there for more minutes per game. Under 10 minutes is not enough.
- jd250

There’s some truth to your point and then there’s over-coaching. Torts is limiting this guys intensity and creativity. Yes he needs to learn the NHL game, get accustomed to the physicality and the speed and lack of space, but in the first two months he was free-wheeling and playing hockey, dazzling with amazing passes and just was driving the play. Now, he seems timid, afraid to make a mistake. More worried about staying back so he’s ready defensively than pushing the play. He’s not a defensive specialist or a 200 foot player, he’s a playmaker with amazing vision and hockey sense. Hes not even getting to learn how to play with a slim lead in the third because the coach won’t put him in to learn.

This coach does not strike a balance with young players like MM39. A good coach would accentuate the strengths and give him ample opportunity to work on his weaknesses. That is not the Torts way of doing things.

Michkov is a rookie who hasn’t played this amount of hockey in this short of a period. I think he’ll be fine. This is quite a jump in hockey, in life and in culture for the kid. As long as they are communicating with him, and I believe they are, then I think this year has gone extremely well.
- landros 2

But the kid needs to be having fun playing hockey and it appears as if Torts is taking that from him.

Teams do not acquire the talent needed to bring out the best in MM game drafting in the mid teens
- corduroy

That is also completely premature given the Flyers are currently picling 11th. The gap between 22nd and 28th is not large. Just 6 points. They aint getting 1st or 2nd overall pick without a lot of luck but they are more likely to fall than climb IMO based on how they have been playing especially as teams add to make a push. Wings, Isles and Blues are likely looking to add even though they shouldnt.

We also dont know what the Flyers TDL has in store for us. Maybe we do find deals for guys with term

But the kid needs to be having fun playing hockey and it appears as if Torts is taking that from him.
- mikeyo27

Michkov has praised Torts for his work with him. We have seen this from Michkov all year. The seasons taking its toll on him. We saw it before Torts scratched him for 2 games. Came back with more energy we had seen in weeks from him. He just needs to get used to playing this much.

Michkov has praised Torts for his work with him. We have seen this from Michkov all year. The seasons taking its toll on him. We saw it before Torts scratched him for 2 games. Came back with more energy we had seen in weeks from him. He just needs to get used to playing this much.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Michkov is not going to call the coach out. He's not stupid. The season is not taking it's toll on him. He's played 49 games. He's 20 years old. Tortorella is taking it's tool on him and he is stifling Michkov as a player.