Greg Wyshynski just flagged a new detail in the Flyers bench video: Porter Martone stepping between Matvei Michkov and Nick Seeler.
Monday night in Vancouver, those two had a heated exchange during the third period of a 3-1 win. We covered the beat writers' split on the Michkov and Seeler clash this morning, so this is about what happened around them.
Wyshynski noted that the 20-year-old Martone was apparently the only one to see that his teammate needed to calm down.
Sommermann went through the frames and found a crowd. According to Sommermann, Noel Acciari grabbed Michkov's arm at the start, Noah Cates tapped his leg, and Martone put an arm around him and stepped in front to separate the two.
Sommermann read it as two players holding each other accountable, proof that the fight and passion are still in the locker room. Nothing in the posts tells us what was said, and we won't guess.
A post shared by Wyshynski adds a clearer angle on Acciari's part in it.
Martone is the one who draws the eye. The sixth overall pick in 2025 has 3 goals and 5 assists in 20 games this season, and he plays on a line with Trevor Zegras and Michkov. Stepping in front of his own linemate, with a veteran like Seeler on the other side, is not a small thing for a 20-year-old.
Is this just a bench argument, or a sign of something bigger?
Charlie O'Connor doesn't think the argument itself is a huge deal. They happen. But he points out this isn't the first bit of smoke around Michkov and his teammates lately, and that context is why you worry.
That's the right read. Michkov was also named first star in Vancouver after an assist, so the talent isn't the question. A winning team shrugs off a bench argument. A team sitting 5-10-5 and 27th in the NHL doesn't get that luxury, because every flare-up gets read as a symptom.
Three teammates moving in quickly is a good sign about the room. Whether it stays a one-off is another matter.
The Flyers visit the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, and Edmonton comes in at 13-3-3. Expect every camera to find the Flyers bench the first time something goes wrong.
Quick hits
LINEUPMarco Damico reports Josh Anderson is back in the Canadiens' lineup against the Wild tonight. Montreal gets a physical forward back at a good time.
GOALIEBrian Hedger reports Cam Talbot looks set to start for the Blue Jackets against the Panthers tonight. Columbus is sticking with the veteran.
INJURY WATCHThe Syracuse Crunch announced the Lightning recalled forward Sam O'Reilly. With Brayden Point's status unclear, the timing is hard to ignore.
SENATORSAndrew Wilimek reports Jake Sanderson, Artem Zub and Dylan Cozens were not on the ice at the optional morning skate. Three names are worth watching before puck drop.
GOALIEMitchell Clinton reports Nico Daws looks set to start for the Jets against the Devils tonight in Winnipeg. Daws gets the call.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Latest Stories
Trade Rumor: Konecny's clause may not stop the FlyersFLYERS SOURCES ARE NAMING NAMESSources told Anthony Di Marco the Flyers' veterans are the biggest problem, and Travis Konecny is among those named.
Sources call out Flyers veterans by nameA FLYERS VETERAN SEES PROGRESSTravis Sanheim just explained what the Flyers' win in Vancouver showed, and the big question now is whether they can finally play 60 minutes.
Travis Sanheim speaks after Flyers' win in VancouverBUNTING HAD A NIGHT IN VANCOUVERGrady Sas just called Michael Bunting's Monday night in Vancouver the hot mic of the season so far for the Flyers.
Michael Bunting's hot mic moment lights up Flyers winTHE FLYERS BENCH CLASH GETS A SECOND LOOKMatvei Michkov and Nick Seeler's bench confrontation in Vancouver is still the talk of the Flyers world this morning.
Flyers beat writers split on Michkov and Seeler clashSOMETHING STIRRED ON THE FLYERS BENCHJordan Hall just reported a heated moment on the Flyers bench involving Matvei Michkov during the third period in Vancouver.
Heated moment on Flyers bench involves Matvei MichkovTHE FLYERS LINEUP SPARKS A DEBATECole Knuble is a healthy scratch tonight in Vancouver, and Rick Tocchet was just asked about the Flyers' kids getting their time.
Rick Tocchet speaks on playing time for Flyers' kidsCHANGES COMING FOR THE FLYERS TONIGHTThe Flyers just announced that Joseph Woll starts in Vancouver tonight, and Rick Tocchet is reshuffling his blue line and forward group.
Lineup Change: Tocchet shakes up Flyers before Canucks