Lighter, Faster Michkov Impresses in Different Way on Day 1

As the Philadelphia Flyers opened up training camp on Thursday, there was plenty of anticipation surrounding the summer of Matvei Michkov. The now third-year NHLer had a tumultuous second season, one that saw him come into camp out of shape and spend the season trying to catch up.

Even with the struggles, both with his conditioning and consistency on the ice, Michkov scored 20 goals and had 51 points.

There was plenty of buzz surrounding Michkov’s offseason before camp began. The offseason workout videos alongside other top NHL players like Artemi Panarin. The photos upon his return to the US, looking leaner. And days before camp began, a Russian interview where Michkov highlighted he lost 30 pounds from what his weight was entering camp last season.

It sure looked it based on his appearance.

But a lighter and therefore faster Michkov wasn’t the big story from Day 1 of Flyers’ training camp. It was Michkov getting in front of the media, using little guidance from Slava Kuznetsov, his translator since arriving in North America, and holding an English interview.

“I think this is so good for me, you know?” Michkov said. “I feel, right now, lighter. Where I am lighter right now on ice, and more speed. This is hard work, too. But I eat right now just good food, no fast food, you know? No sugar, little bit maybe [on] day off. I like chocolate, but just day off. This is hard work not only ice, on life too. But I think this is new news for me. New, but good. I want to play better for the team, for the Flyers. But my first is the team. I need to support everybody who plays [for the] Flyers.

More motivation for Michkov should be how last season ended. Michkov was a healthy scratch in Game 4 against Carolina, when the Flyers were swept out of the playoffs. But the push, and getting into playoff games in just his second season, serves as fuel.

“I like [to] play in playoffs. This is so good...emotional,” Michkov said. “But, step by step. We win first round this year, we need hard work and second and next, next, next. I think everybody wants, everybody dreams, Stanley Cup. But everybody needs harder work on practice and life.”

It’s clear that Michkov learned a valuable lesson last season with how he entered camp. His conditioning early created an ongoing battle with head coach Rick Tocchet about his placement in the lineup, his ice time, and whether the coach was on board with the young Russian who seems to hold such a large place in the Flyers’ future.

It seems that Tocchet has also looked at Michkov with a clean slate.

“He looks quick out there,” Tocchet said. “Him and [Denver Barkey] were buzzing around there. They were doing the concepts that we talked about upgrading the middle. He did look very quick out there. He wanted to really work on his shot this summer. Spent a lot of time working on his shot and pushing the pace on the laps. I love that, not just him, like Barkey and all those guys. It's good to see.”

Tocchet also sees the confidence in Michkov, conducting his first English interview, as a huge step for his growth.

“I think that's a big step for him,” Tocchet said. “We encourage him to come out. I don't think he needs a translator all the time. We don’t want to take the safety net under him, and I think he did a hell of a job. Going up to coaches on his own and things like that, we’ve got to create that culture for him. He doesn’t need people around to tell him. I think he knows, and it's the only way to learn. He wants it. He wants to learn that way too. It's good for us, too.”

It may only be one day, but it already looks like Michkov took his struggles and conditioning to heart this summer. Add in his improved English, and further adjustment to life, and a bounce-back season could easily be ahead.

“My first year was so hard for me,” Michkov said. “I stay in Philly, zero level English. Second year, a little bit better, now a little bit better. But this is my first interview in English. This is hard for me. And I’m feeling now much better, you know? This is my second home. My first home and second home, I feel the same. Thank you everybody for the support and the atmosphere.”

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.