Inside the John Tortorella-Matvei Michkov spat: 'Emotion is a double-edged sword'

PHILADELPHIA Their emotions have landed them both in hot water before.

Theres John Tortorella in 2014, then coach of the Vancouver Canucks, charging toward the Calgary Flames dressing room in an attempt to get after fellow coach Bob Hartley for instigating a line brawl and 10 years later refusing to leave the bench in a Flyers-Lightning game when he was unhappy with the officiating, earning a two-game suspension at a critical point in the season.

There have been notable spats with the media too, of course.

Advertisement Matvei Michkov hasnt been around long enough to boast that kind of rap sheet.

But there were some concerns about his attitude going into the 2023 draft that he had to address with Flyers brass before they selected him seventh.

Michkov admitted that, at times, he grew frustrated with some of the lack of talent around him in the KHL and didnt always handle it in the best way.

He couldnt understand how those around him couldnt do some of the things he was able to do.

In other words, there seem to be some similar personality traits between the 66-year-old coach and 20-year-old forward.

When that was suggested to Tortorella on Thursday morning ahead of the Flyers 4-3 loss to the Capitals, he agreed.

Absolutely ...

absolutely, he said.

Asked Tortorella this morning a bit about his mini blow-up with Michkov on the bench the other night.

He agreed with the suggestion that him and Michkov are very similar in that they're competitive as hell and that sometimes will lead to conflict.

https://t.co/tQ546Ubpy5 Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) February 6, 2025 The slight grin on Tortorellas face spoke more than his words.

The coach is sometimes forced to try and bring that type of fire and competitiveness out of certain players on his roster two of them he arguably failed with are now in Calgary but thats not something he has to worry about with Michkov, whose compete level and desire to get better immediately endeared him to the coach.

Emotion is a double-edged sword, Tortorella said.

Its a really good thing, but you also make mistakes with it, too.

And, I think we both live in that world.

Theres a danger therefore in them being, perhaps, kindred spirits.

And it was on display on Jan.

30 late in the second period of the Flyers-Islanders game at Wells Fargo Center, when Tortorella was caught barking at Michkov for missing an assignment that led to a goal against.

Michkov immediately, and demonstratively, turned around and bit back.

He was benched for the rest of the game, including the entirety of the third period of a 3-0 Flyers loss.

It appears Torts has benched Matvei Michkov for the rest of the game.

Hasnt played since the 10 minute mark in the 2nd period pic.twitter.com/XmOEDjJ6mT Nasty Knuckles (@NastyKnuckles) January 31, 2025 It was inevitable something like that was going to happen, and considering Michkovs struggles lately, the timing was ripe for friction.

The rookie scored twice against the Capitals on Thursday in his best game in weeks, but prior to that, managed just three goals and four assists in 26 games with a minus-20 rating.

Advertisement Ryan Callahan, who played for Tortorella for five seasons with the New York Rangers and was captain for two of them, was part of the ESPN broadcast crew the night of that public squabble a week ago.

He wasnt at all surprised by it.

The first thought that went through my head was just, thats Torts, Callahan said in a phone conversation Thursday afternoon.

He has those moments.

Its never to belittle a player or punish a player.

Hes doing it because he wants to get the best out of that player, right? Whether its Michkov, or whoever it is.

And as for Michkovs reaction? Torts loves that, Callahan said.

He has no issue with you responding to him, which is great.

He doesnt mind that dialogue at all.

He encourages it.

...

If anything, it just shows Michkov cares.

He wants the best, hes a competitive guy, he doesnt like being benched, he doesnt like making mistakes.

It shows a little bit of fire in his belly, which I think anyone would want.

Particularly Tortorella, who acknowledged as much Thursday, too, adding that, for him, Ten minutes after that happened, I was done with it.

But he did have one regret.

If I had to do it again, I probably should have played him in the third period, Tortorella said.

That may be something Michkov expressed to him in the aftermath of the disagreement.

Callahan figures that Tortorella and Michkov had a chat afterward, which seems likely, as the coach and young winger have been having weekly meetings with a Russian interpreter since early in the season.

Michkov, of course, is hardly the only player to be subject to a Tortorella tongue-lashing.

Last season, rookie Bobby Brink was in the crosshairs probably more than any other player, at least when it came to interactions caught on camera.

When hes yelling at you, hes usually right, Brink said.

Ive been on the receiving end of a couple, but thats the way it goes.

John Tortorella screaming at Bobby Brink (maybe?) after that goal against.

#Flyers pic.twitter.com/xulmLbmEqp Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) March 2, 2024 Every time it happens, dialogue with Tortorella or an assistant coach follows, but usually you know what happened and what you did wrong, Brink said.

You know what you need to do better next time.

Brink may be a prime example of a player responding to that tough Tortorella love.

Although his offensive output this season is similar to last, hes been a much more well-rounded, responsible player in 2024-25, still his first full NHL campaign.

Tortorella has praised Brinks tenacity and improved checking, in particular.

Brink attributed his improvements as part of the Flyers most consistent line with Tyson Foerster and Noah Cates to getting used to the league and the pace.

Advertisement But hes also more aware of whats going on around him, something that Tortorella seems to be attempting to hammer into Michkov.

Being more responsible defensively, taking a little more pride in that part of the game, Brink said of his play this season.

And, understanding that theres more to the game than scoring goals.

I think Ive been better that way and gained a little trust from (Tortorella).

That process will continue with Michkov, and it will be particularly compelling to see how he comes out of the upcoming break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, which begins after Saturdays Flyers home game with the Penguins.

Tortorella figures Michkov needs the time off because of the fatigue, mentally.

Its been a grind for him, Tortorella said.

You can see just the tempo of his game has changed from what it was at the beginning of the year, and its to be expected.

...

Sometimes you watch him play right now, just to get up and down the ice, its just like the weight of the world is on him.

That weight that Michkov puts on himself comes from a good place though, at least if you believe Tortorella.

And while Michkov goes through the process of trying to figure it out, the coach will be there to push his buttons from time to time.

Thats by design, according to Callahan.

One of his famous lines he always said was, conflict makes the relationship grow stronger, Callahan said.

You have a better understanding of each other.

(Conflicts) will be inevitable, Tortorella said, but, theyre so productive.

(Photo: Eric Hartline / Imagn Images).

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