Rick Tocchet and Michkov speak before Flyers-Flames

The Flyers put Rick Tocchet, Matvei Michkov and Cole Knuble in front of the media after Saturday's practice in Calgary, one day before facing the Flames.

The team announced the session but we don't have what was said, so there's nothing to quote. What matters is who was sent out to talk, and what the room needs on Sunday.

Philadelphia is 4-10-4 and has lost two straight, the latest a 2-3 loss at the Rangers on Thursday night. The Flyers are 1-6-1 on the road, and the goal differential sits at -22.

Michkov is the obvious voice. He leads the team with 10 goals and 13 points in 18 games, and five of those goals have come on the power play.

We wrote Friday that the Flyers lean on Matvei Michkov for goals again, and the numbers back it up. He has 10 of the team's 39 goals, which is a lot of weight on a 21-year-old who is also a -11.

Why Cole Knuble joins the conversation

Knuble is the less expected name. The 22-year-old has 3 goals in 8 games this season, all of his points so far, and he is a -4.

A 2023 fourth-round pick showing up next to the coach and the top scorer says something about where he sits right now. Maybe it's simply a reward for producing. Maybe the staff sees a role growing. We can't say which.

The question around Michkov is usage. Fans have been asking whether Matvei Michkov's ice time is where it should be for the team's best goal scorer, and Tocchet is the one who answers that.

Calgary isn't a soft landing. The Flames are 7-9-1 and have also lost two straight, but they are 5-4-0 at home, and the Flyers haven't found a way to win away from Philadelphia.

Tocchet needs a road win, a cleaner night from the defense and some scoring that doesn't come only from one player. The Flyers get their next chance Sunday in Calgary.

Quick hits

NEW YORK RANGERSAlberts Smits is out late before the Seattle game, and the Rangers are already playing as we write. Another lineup wrinkle for a team that just beat Philadelphia.

LOS ANGELES KINGSAlex Turcotte has been activated from injured reserve and is set to play tonight against the Penguins. Good timing for the Kings.

STARTING GOALIEThe Devils confirmed Jake Allen will start tonight at the Islanders, not Connor Hellebuyck or David Rittich. That's a decision worth watching.

NASHVILLE PREDATORSThe Predators beat the Blues 3-1 in the NHL Network showcase, and the game turned in the second period when Nashville stopped chasing and started smothering.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNINGDavid Pagnotta says that if the Lightning offered Nikita Kucherov 7x20 right now, he would probably say no. That contract talk isn't going away.