A recent video clip of Philadelphia Flyers' rising star Matvei Michkov expressing his dislike for the "dump and chase" style of hockey has stirred up a playful clash with the team's new head coach, Rick Tocchet. The 20-year-old Michkov, known for his offensive creativity and puck possession skills, made it clear that he prefers carrying the puck into the offensive zone with control rather than simply dumping it in and battling for it.
"I'm not a fan of dump-and-chase hockey," Michkov stated in the viral video. "I'd rather carry the puck in under control, make a clean pass, and enter the zone with possession. If you dump it in, now you've gotta go battle for it". He elaborated that he sees the dump and chase as a waste of energy, preferring to maintain possession and set up solid scoring chances. Michkov admitted that under previous coaching regimes, he would initially ignore instructions to dump and chase, opting to "do my own thing".
Tocchet, who was recently hired by the Flyers after a successful stint with the Vancouver Canucks, is aware of Michkov's comments and has responded in a lighthearted manner. During an appearance on the "Nasty Knuckles" podcast, Tocchet revealed that he, along with Flyers GM Danny Briere and team president Keith Jones, watched the clip together and found it amusing.
"Well, I watched the video. Me and Jonesy and Danny were laughing, and I'm like, first of all, he was going two miles an hour, and there was nobody in front of him, and he said don't dump the puck," Tocchet said jokingly. "Well yeah, obviously there's nobody in front of you, you should have took it! I'm busting his balls, and I'm gonna bust his balls when I see him".
Despite the playful ribbing, Tocchet made it clear that he appreciates Michkov's talent and understands his desire to hold onto the puck and create offensive opportunities. "Yeah, I know what he's saying," Tocchet admitted. "He wants to hold onto pucks, and he's got that talent. We got to allow him to have that creativity. Listen, we want to get this guy the puck as much as possible because he can make high-level plays".
This isn't the first time Tocchet has publicly praised Michkov's skills, and he has repeatedly stated his desire to get the puck to the young Russian as often as possible. This approach is a breath of fresh air for Flyers fans who are eager to see Michkov showcase his offensive prowess.
While some might see this difference in opinion as a potential conflict, Tocchet has a history of working well with skilled and creative players. One notable example is Phil Kessel, who thrived under Tocchet's coaching with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Tocchet's willingness to accommodate Michkov's playing style suggests a shift in philosophy for the Flyers, who have been known for their more traditional, grind-it-out approach in recent years. "I want players to hold onto pucks and make plays, 100%. We want to play that way," Tocchet added. He wants to build around Michkov's skill set rather than forcing him into a system that doesn't fit.
The dynamic between Michkov and Tocchet will be one to watch as the season approaches. While a complete abandonment of the dump-and-chase strategy is unlikely, Tocchet's understanding of Michkov's strengths and his willingness to give him creative freedom could unlock a new level of offensive potential for the Flyers.
