Jordan Hall just reported a heated moment on the Flyers bench involving Matvei Michkov during the third period in Vancouver.
The game is still being played as we write, and nobody has explained what happened. Michkov is 21, he plays on a team that sits 29th in the NHL, and a bench flare-up involving him is going to draw attention.
Hall's post is short and careful. He said there appeared to be a heated moment on the bench involving Michkov, and he did not say who was on the other end.
Fans filled in the gap quickly. BroadStHockey wrote that Michkov sure was giving it to Nick Seeler, and wondered what the connection between those two could be, maybe something a couple weeks ago.
Another Flyers account, PHLY_Flyers, asked the questions everyone has: what was the context, was it definitely Seeler, and at what point in the game did it happen?
Those questions are still open. Nobody has said what was said or why, and a theory about two weeks ago is a fan's guess. Treat it as an unexplained moment, not a feud.
Why the timing is strange for Michkov
Because it comes on what has been Michkov's best night in a while. He made a clean setup on Travis Konecny's power-play goal and a backcheck that stopped a Grade-A chance.
The trio of Porter Martone, Trevor Zegras and Michkov looked dangerous too. Tyson Foerster had a goal waved off for offside, then scored again on the next shift.
A frustrated player on a night like that tells you he wants more from the game, or from the people around him. The bench is where that kind of energy usually shows.
It also lands in the middle of the ice-time and "play the kids" debate that keeps growing under Rick Tocchet. We noted Michkov and Zegras carrying the offense just before the Calgary game, and Michkov's 10 goals back that up.
If that was an argument with a veteran defenseman, a lot of fans will take Michkov's side. But nobody knows that yet.
The Flyers play at Edmonton on Wednesday, and by then somebody will probably be asked about it.
Quick hits
EDMONTON OILERSConnor McDavid's 18-game assist streak is in question after the Oilers' 3-1 win over the Rangers. BR_OpenIce says the NHL website is not crediting him with an assist tonight, so the scoring call could still change.
NEW YORK RANGERSJ.T. Miller says the Rangers deserved better in Edmonton. Mollie Walker relayed his comments, and after a 3-1 loss the frustration makes sense.
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