Video: Matvei Michkov argues with his coach on the bench

Michaël Petit
Video: Matvei Michkov argues with his coach on the bench
Credit: Screenshot | Twitter TLY

Matvei Michkov will continue to be the talk of the NHL, often for all the wrong reasons.

We know the Russian has attitude problems and doesn't necessarily have the best work ethic. Rememberthat he arrived at Flyers camp this season in poor physical shape.

What's more, his captain Sean Couturier threw him under the bus in early November.

Clearly, he's not the unanimous choice in the locker room, and the talented winger was at it again in Saturday afternoon's game against the New York Rangers.

Mishkov was on the bench chatting with his head coach, Rick Tocchet, and the two seemed to have a heated discussion in which the Russian was seen acting like a spoiled child. He was seen to make a gesture of exasperation, throwing his arms in the air as if he didn't care…

The Habs have undoubtedly avoided a bad apple in the 2023 draft.

Although many people regret David Reinbacher's selection at No. 5 in 2023, it's clear that the Habs didn't want a player like Michkov in their locker room.

He's exactly the kind of player who causes problems in a locker room and can stir up trouble at any moment.

Let's say Reinbacher was no longer available in the habs line-up, Will Smith would most likely have been available and would almost certainly have been the Habs' choice at that point. However, even if we exclude Smith, I personally believe that Ryan Leonard would still have been a much better choice than Michkov.

Honestly, at this point, any top-10 player would have been a better option for the Habs.

Because, as we all know, the culture within the Montreal club weighs heavily in the balance of the club's success. All the players are happy to play for the Habs, and that makes their jobs a lot more enjoyable. We all know that coming back to work with a good atmosphere is always more pleasant.

Michkov still managed to score 63 points in 80 games last year in his rookie season with John Tortorella as head coach.

This season, however, it's much harder for the young Russian, who has just 19 points in 34 games with an average playing time per game of less than 15 minutes. At this rate, he's heading for a meager 45 points.

Although Reinbacher's development has been delayed by injury, I still think the Austrian was a better choice than the Russian.


Overtime

– A quick message from Phillip Danault to Habs fans:

– A clash not to be missed.

– Auston Matthews tries to remain positive, even though his club now finds itself in 15th place in the East.

– The Devils will have some reinforcements with the return of Jack Hughes and Timo Meier.

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