Flyers

Saying that Matvei Michkov “Wants to Try” Right Wing is Like Saying that Shaquille O’Neal Wants to Try Center

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Mar 9th, 2026 · 9:18 AM EDT

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The Flyers got a 4-3 shootout win over the Penguins on Saturday. They’ve won 4 of 5 but remain seven points out of a playoff spot, so it goes to show how much of a heater they’d need to go on to break the drought.

This was funny from Sunday’s practice:

Tocchet on why he moved Michkov back to RW:

"Well, Bobby leaving, and then Mich wants to try it. We'll see. I've got my thoughts on that, but we'll see how it goes."

— Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) March 8, 2026

There weren’t any overt body language clues from the video. Tocchet had the same look on his face the entire time he was answering the question, and he didn’t stumble through it or anything like that. Straight cadence and delivery.

It’s just funny to hear that choice of words, “Mich wants to try it.” Yeah no shit he “wants to try it.” That’s where he’s played his entire life and that’s where he’s been at his best, playing on the right as a left-handed player. Saying that Michkov wants to try playing where he’s always played is like saying that Shaquille O’Neal wants to try playing center, or Zack Wheeler wants to try pitching. It would be like moving Lionel Messi to defensive midfield and then coming back and saying Messi “wants to try” being closer to goal.

Michkov played well on the right side during his rookie season. He told reporters after the Olympic break that he’s happy on the right and essentially learning a new role on the left. Saturday, he had the primary assist on the third Flyers goal, and while it came from a turnover and a bit of a broken transitional play, he was operating from the right and looked assertive. It looked like… rookie year Michkov!

Silver lining – at least we get to see him in his natural position for the rest of the year, assuming Tocc doesn’t mess around with it again.