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"Tortorella masterclass" "Needs to demand a trade ASAP": NHL fans left stunned as Flyers healthy scratch Matvei Michkov for Lightning game
Former top prospect Matvei Michkov's arrival with the Philadelphia Flyers was highly anticipated. Now, he's a healthy scratch for tonight's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is still with the team, but he's not going to play.
It is a surprise to see this transpire. Michkov spent some time in the KHL after being selected by the Flyers. He was picked seventh overall in the 2023 draft.
NHL fans had their say on it, and many blamed coach John Tortorella for his decision-making with Michkov.
"Michkov books flight to Russia," one said.
"Torts was probably the worst coach to handle Michkov, bro shouldn’t be a healthy scratch, on *check notes* a team that is dead last in the league lmao," another said.
"Hmm I thought that he was supposed to be the second coming. Guess not," one said.
"Can they healthy scratch the coach he's the one not performing," another added.
For the most part, there is widespread agreement among fans that Tortorella has made a mistake and is so far not doing very well this season.
John Tortorella speaks out on Matvei Michkov healthy scratch
John Tortorella decided to keep Matvei Michkov off the ice for the Philadelphia Flyers despite being healthy. The young player, who was a first-round pick just last year, won't play today.
Tortorella, who has caught some flack for this decision, said via Broad Street Hockey:
“It’s part of the process. Just part of the process. I mean, I told you guys. Young guy, they can watch tape too as part of their development. It’s trying to help them.
This comes just a couple of days after Michkov was benched against the Carolina Hurricanes. Tortorella said then:
“That’s the way it’s going to be. [Michkov] may miss games, who knows? I don’t know what’s going to happen. But that’s part of the development of a 19 year old kid.”
The Flyers came back but couldn't defeat the Hurricanes, falling 6-4 after tying the score late in the third period.
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