Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov is healthy against the Lightning

Philadelphia Flyers star rookie Matvei Michkov was a healthy scratch for the first time and missed Thursday's game at the Tampa Bay Lightning, coach John Tortorella said.

The 19-year-old Michkov is second on the Flyers with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 13 games and is minus-8. As the seventh overall pick in 2023, he is one of the favorites to win the Calder Trophy NHL Rookie of the Year after leaving his Russian team earlier this year.

During his 23 years as an NHL coach, Tortorella was notorious for benching top offensive players as a signaling tactic. He said sitting out Michkov was part of the process of improving the rookie winger's game.

“With young guys, they can also watch the games as far as development goes,” Tortorella said. “It’s trying to help him.”

Michkov was named NHL Rookie of the Month for October with 9 points in 11 games, but that was a priority as he had just one assist in his last five games and had less than 14 minutes of ice time in two of his last three games.

Before the season, Flyers general manager Danny Briere predicted “fireworks here and there” between the rookie and his demanding coach.

“Just like almost every single player,” Briere said of Tortorella. “Ultimately Torts is the coach and he will manage it. He will teach him to be a professional. Torts’ goal is to make Matvei the best player he can be.”

Briere also said that despite his offensive potential, it could be a “tough season” for Michkov.

“I am realistic. This is the best league in the world. This is a big step. It won’t be easy,” Briere said. “So my expectations are actually pretty low. I’m excited to see him play, but he’s going to have to go through a lot before he’s the player he wants to be.”

The Flyers are in last place in the Metro Division with 9 points in 13 games (4-8-1) and have lost two games in a row.