Flyers Daily with Jason Myrtetus: Flyers return to the ice tonight at Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers and we preview the game. Plus we discuss the “Science of Scoring” in the NHL and how that shows the offensive instincts of Matvei Michkov. Plus we dive into the data from a detailed and comprehensive email from a Flyers Fan on the possibility of the Flyers need at 1C being a problem they can solve from within.
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13 Comments
It’s a compelling case to move Michkov to center, I do agree, however, he should stay on the wing. I think there is a reason why the TK-Coots-Michkov line works so well, when you have 2 dynamic wingers with a center who can spring either one of them the other way. Not saying coots is your future 1C, but you dont NEED. a McDavid in the middle. Washington has Dylan Strome as their 1C and they’re first in the east.
On another note, if we were to move anyone in the organization from wing to center, TK makes the most sense to me only bc he spent a decent amount of time playing center in juniors. I still wouldn’t do it, but it lets you keep Mich on the wing where he can keep developing his offensive game in a comfortable manner
I know it didn’t come up in this episode, but on the head coaching front, a name I’ve heard thrown out there is Tod Nelson, current coach of the Hershey Bears. The bears have won back to back championships and can potentially make it 3 in a row this year. To me, it seems like a guy that can be the coach for that “next step” the flyers want to take. Knows how to win and seems to able to develop talent. I don’t know if it would be a homerun hire, but I think it’s an interesting thought
That’s exactly what makes this flyers rebuild so hard for me is because your seeing teams like Boston, Pittsburgh, and NY heading into a rebuild which you already started and now there’s a good opportunity to make a push and go for playoffs in the metro, but I just don’t think we are quite there and it’s not a good idea to make the push and potentially screw yourselves in developing guys, overpaying guys, and giving up on young talent too early, which we’ve seen them do in the past. But I would absolutely hate to see those teams make quick turn arounds before we do that would be very frustrating lol
With the Phantoms clinching the playoffs, what Flyers do we think will be sent to the AHL to help with their playoff push? Could we possibly see Fedotov in net?
Great stuff Jason, hope you’re feeling well!
Michkov moving to center would really balance out the glut of right wings.
They could employ a bit of a LW lock & give him a little more defensive freedom/leeway.
Great and informative email from Jarred! I am all for moving Michkov to C as his comparable shooters are both centers in McDavid & Eichel. In addition, he has better numbers on faceoffs than both Luchanko & Cates who are both centers, albeit in a small sample. Great idea 💡!! Jason’s response makes sense as well as to why not to do this. I am torn but I think it might be worth a look and will maybe help Michkov become a more responsible player if the move is made. Hopefully this wouldn’t hamper his offensive production. (Edited for Jason’s response).
Someone please show that chart to Owen Tippett
Jason, thanks for this episode. Very informative. I agree that Michkov should be a winger. I would like to see a 1C who is a dynamic skater that can set up the offensive zone quickly and give time for both wingers do their thing in the house.
Seeler is 6 or 7th guy. We need 2 defense men, maybe 3 if you can get seeler to waive his nmc
I think the idea of moving Michkov to center is intriguing for sure. But I agree that it isn't the best move for Michkov, solely based on defensive metrics. Although finding that 1C is always going to be tough, with the surplus of picks we have, I think it would make more sense to utilize those to acquire a 1C (via drafting or trading). It sucks to rebuild but, in pure "Couch GM" fashion, I would get more picks, futures, and potentially NHL-ready players via trades, embrace the suck that is a rebuild, and make moves with purpose both in the draft and offseason. Love the show Jason, wishing you nothing but the best!
Michkov at C is an interesting thought …. but C are much more defensively responsible for what is happening in their own zone, and usually need to be the guy in deep after D to get pucks off walls. I think part of using his skillset means letting him cook from offensive positions, and letting him play with guys that can get pucks off walls to him wherever he is on the ice. I don't think having him focus on C would be good for his offensive game which is what we need from him. Could he do it? Probably. Would it help our team more than having him at forward? Probably not.
The Flyers have 6 or 7 bottom pair D-Men, two top 6 forwards, two back-up goalies, and a third string goalie. You can't make chicken soup out of chicken ****. The greatest coach of all time couldn't contend with this roster.
Appreciate you including my email, Jason! Thanks for all the comments, everyone!