Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere has attempted to downplay a public feud in the team’s locker room. With just three wins in their last 10 games, the club has dropped to sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Philadelphia’s poor form, however, is not the most concerning aspect of the team at the moment.
Tensions between Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet and budding star Matvei Michkov have seemingly been brewing for some time. The 21-year-old Russian enjoyed a stellar rookie 2024-25 season by posting 63 points in 80 games. The tally even equalled San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini on the campaign. Despite the breakout performances, Michkov has regressed during 2025-26.
On February 1, Tocchet made the situation worse by publicly questioning the youngster’s fitness. “We’ve all talked about it, and I’ll be very frank… Matvei did not come into camp in shape,” Tocchet stated on the PHLY Flyers Podcast. “It’s hard to play yourself in shape. I have not told him or any of our players to ‘Take a guy one-on-one, come out of the corner with a puck, or to make a play on a rush’… He’s having a tough time in those situations.”
“I mean, I get it. Maybe [other players] don’t have [his] skill set. But we’re trying to get him to that level, right? How to develop him: practice, making sure that you’re on time for treatments, and things like that. There’s so much into that, the way you eat.”
Matvei Michkov’s Time on the Ice has Dwindled With the Philadelphia Flyers
GettyMatvei Michkov is one of Philadelphia’s most important players.
Tocchet’s remarks came a day after Michkov recorded a TOI of just 10:21 against the Los Angeles Kings on January 31. It just so happened to be his lowest time on the ice for a game all season. On the 2025-26 campaign, the forward has averaged a TOI of 14:34. This figure is more than two minutes less than what he averaged throughout his breakout 2024-25 season.
Despite the glaring issue, Briere poured cold water on any notion that Michkov could soon be traded because of the situation. “One thing I can tell you is Michkov is not going anywhere, let’s make that clear,” Briere said on February 3, as reported by TSN. “He’s going to be here for a long time. He’s going to be a good player here for the Flyers, and what he’s going through right now is part of the learning process.”
The GM did back up Tocchet’s remarks regarding Michkov’s level of fitness, though. In the public statement, Briere pointed to Michkov’s previous comments about not being in the best shape entering the current campaign. The Russian previously admitted that he focused on rest during the offseason to help heal a nagging ankle injury.
Flyers Hope Spat Does not Make Michkov Reconsider His Future at the Club
Ahead of Briere’s remarks, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman predicted that the exec would attempt to ease the situation. Speaking on his 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman suggested that Briere should proclaim that both sides are starting from a clean slate. The GM essentially went this route by claiming that both Michkov and Tocchet want what is best for the team.
Philadelphia brass will undoubtedly be hoping that the feud is now over. Michkov is just too important a player to the franchise. The youngster is currently in the middle of his rookie contract and is signed through the end of the 2026-27 season. He will likely be looking for a significant pay raise before becoming a restricted free agent.
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