Chris Johnston just warned that the Matvei Michkov situation in Philadelphia is one step from a massive problem for the Flyers.
That is a sharp escalation from where things stood Wednesday, when Danny Briere called the Kevin Weekes report "not correct" and described Michkov as "a big, big piece" and "part of the solution for the future." Johnston, speaking this morning on OverDrive, doesn't sound convinced the matter is settled.
Johnston put it plainly, according to Rinky Report: "We're probably one step before the step where it really is a massive problem." He added that things "aren't trending in a positive direction there."
Johnston also stressed what this is not. He has been told it is not a formal trade request, and the Flyers have no intention of trading Michkov right now.
Johnston added that there is "a lot brewing not too deeply beneath the surface," and that Philadelphia will have to calm the situation down.
Johnston had already called it a high priority situation Wednesday night, suggesting Michkov may be butting heads with teammates, in addition to what was seen with Nick Seeler. We covered the Michkov and Seeler bench clash earlier this week, and it clearly hasn't gone away.
Emily Kaplan reported that the team was "genuinely shocked" by the noise and knows of friction behind the scenes. Put that next to Briere's public support and you get a front office defending a player while privately knowing there is a fire to put out.
Michkov then played 20:44 in the 3-2 overtime loss in Edmonton and picked up one assist. The Flyers are 5-10-6 and sit 28th in the NHL.
Can the Flyers calm this down before it spreads?
They can, but only if the conversation moves from the podium to the locker room. Briere's backing is the right public message, yet it doesn't fix a bench confrontation or whatever tension Johnston says is sitting under the surface.
The hockey backdrop makes it harder. Michkov has 10 goals and 15 points in 21 games, but he is a -11, and a team that is 28th in the league has no cushion of wins to hide friction. Losing amplifies everything, and a 21-year-old at the center of the story is not going to be left alone.
Rick Tocchet and the staff are also in the middle of this. Michkov's ice time Wednesday shows he is still being used as a key forward, so the Flyers aren't treating him like a problem on the bench. We looked at whether Michkov would face the cameras on Wednesday, and Johnston's comments suggest his voice is the one missing from all of this.
Johnston's wording matters. A reporter with his sources doesn't say "one step before" a massive problem unless he sees the next step coming. The Flyers are at Columbus on Saturday, and every shift Michkov and Seeler take will be watched. We will keep tabs on it.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Should the Flyers explore trading Matvei Michkov if the friction doesn't cool down soon?
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