Philadelphia Flyers
Matvei Michkov Rips on Boring Dump-and-Chase Hockey
Let’s make one thing very clear: Matvei Michkov is not a fan of dump and chase hockey.
In a recent on-ice interview, the Flyers star shared his opinions on the play style. The same dump-and-chase style of hockey helped the Florida Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Not to mention that style of hockey is something that new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet is high on.
Michkov describes the style of hockey as just “rim it around the boards and run to fight for it.” He says he heard that and decided to do his own thing.
Rather than dump-and-chase, which Michkov says he is not a fan of, he says he would prefer to “carry the puck in under control, make a clean pass and enter the zone with possession.”
Seems rather simple, though it is definitely harder said than done. However, the highly skilled players in the NHL are good at carrying possession into the zone rather than dump-and-chase, and Michkov is no exception.
Players like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel, and Jack Hughes, among many more stars, tend to enter the zone with possession and typically do so successfully. Even that Florida Panthers team mentioned earlier does not rely on dump-and-chase.
Michkov says he does not like the dump-and-chase method because, “if you dump it in, now you have to battle for it. There’s no guarantee you’re going to win the puck back. Second, it’s exhausting hockey. You burn so much energy battling for the puck that you’ve got nothing left for the actual attack.”
The Flyers’ star says he’d prefer to maintain control and set up a solid scoring chance.
Michkov sees the game differently from most. Do you agree with this point of view?
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WATCH: Matvei Michkov Rip On Dump-and-Chase Hockey
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Always doing it either way is BAD! If the opening to carry the puck into the zone is available, by all means take it! Just don’t make high risk plays at the blue line trying to force zone entry with possession. Many teams wait for that and if the puck is turned over they jump with numbers on a counterattack. He’s smart enough to know the difference and will make the right decision.
I think the key here is the skill to do it. I personally think a mixture of the two works best. If you’re dumping and chasing, speed matters. It takes skill to carry the puck into the zone. I think the Flyers are getting there, skill wise. I also think time and place should be considered. When up 2 goals late in the third, I’d rather not risk a turnover.
Michkov shows his hockey mentality which is why he is special. When you carry the Puck into the zone you have more options. With him, Zegras, Konecny and Tippett I don’t see them having a problem carrying the Puck into the zone. Oh and Andre can help with that also.