Wild Forward Destroys Old Matvei Michkov Rumors

Much has been made of Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella healthy scratching his star rookie, Matvei Michkov, two games in a row. The old rumors of “character concerns” have started to make the rounds across Russia, and even in some major American outlets, but Minnesota Wild forward Marat Khusnutdinov has come forward to put an end to that.

That is, if the words of Tortorella, Danny Briere, and others in the Flyers organization weren’t already enough.

Khusnutdinov, 22, spent two years centering Michkov with HC Sochi in the KHL, and the two played against each other at the NHL level on Oct. 26 when the Flyers defeated the Wild, 7-5.

If anyone knows the 19-year-old Michkov well, both on and off the ice, it’s Khusnutdinov.

“Do they know him?” Khusnutdinov said in an interview with Responsible Gambler. “There is nothing wrong with the fact that he is prickly on the ice. A good player, a good guy. Both in life and on the ice.”

Michkov is indeed prickly on the ice, something both Briere and Tortorella have attributed to the teenager’s competitive spirit and desire to give the most on the ice in each game. Michkov is only eighth on the Flyers in penalty minutes with a total of eight, but fans may recall a situation where Michkov was flagged for a retaliatory penalty.

In an Oct. 27 game against the Montreal Canadiens, Michkov got involved in a shoving match with known pot-stirrer Brendan Gallagher, who subsequently baited Michkov into taking a slashing penalty after the whistle.

Nothing eventually came of it, but moments like that play a factor in disrupting the flow of the game for the Flyers. Plus, you don’t want to give your opponents a numbers advantage in a close game more than you have to.

That’s something Tortorella and the Flyers are likely working towards erasing from the former No. 7 overall pick’s game, but it is unlikely to be a major priority for them or Michkov.

Khusnutdinov agrees. Be angry. Break stuff. Throw an extra whack or two after a whistle or dig at a loose puck in the goal crease. I’m right here in your face, I want to win, and you’re gonna have to do something about it.

Matvei Michkov just wants to win. He isn’t a bad dude.