Michkov Comments on Trade Rumors, While Flyers Deny Obvious Issues

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The Philadelphia Flyers were inundated with questions about the trade chatter surrounding Matvei Michkov on Wednesday morning. The discourse that reportedly casts a dark cloud over the team as they get set to take on the 12-3-3 Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night was the big storyline and Michkov, Nick Seeler, and head coach Rick Tocchet all talked about it.

“You can’t comment on somebody blogging something that is not true,” Tocchet said after the morning skate. He noted that there’s not much the team can do to control what the media is saying, seemingly downplaying a report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes that Michkov would prefer a change of scenery.

Michkov was asked if there was any truth to the report: “I’m no read all news, I no talk in interview, I need concentration on tonight’s game,” he responded. Asked if he’s happy as a Flyer, “Yeah, of course.”

Seeler was asked if he could provide a bit more detail about the exchange between he and Michkov on the bench that seems to have started all of the speculation. He noted it was a nothing exchange that happens all the time. They both talked after that period and squashed it. It’s only since become a story because the media chose to run with it.

Michkov echoed Seeler’s comments. “Yeah, of course. This is emotional game. Everybody want win. Seels emotional guy. Me too. All guys hungry for wins on the bench, too. … For me, this is good. When all guys (are) emotional… this is good. Before this game we sit together (at) dinner and eat. This is all good.”

Now What for the Flyers and Michkov?

Despite the Flyers all brushing this off as no big deal, it is one. They might not be incorrect to suggest that emotional battles between teammates happen a lot, but there’s too much smoke around this not to be a little fire. Michkov has been mentioned in trade speculation before. He’s also bee reportedly unhappy with his role.

GM Daniel Briere will have to figure out how to get this train back on the tracks because, despite the Flyers’ desire for this to go away, the media is only going to push the narrative further.

Elliotte Friedman said that Weekes wouldn’t report it if he didn’t have a reason. Weekes’ old agent represents Michkov and there’s an obvious problem here. Something must have leaked that the Flyers either didn’t know about or didn’t want out there. “It’s a big one,” said Friedman.

The Flyers can’t afford to lose another elite talent. Briere is committed to Michkov, and they want to see things through with the forward. “It’s clear there is an issue between Michkov and his teammates,” said Friedman. “There are issues there between him and some of the other players. The Flyers might have to clear some bodies out. It will be interesting to see how Briere handles this… It’s no question this is his biggest challenge to manage.”

Next: Flyers Deny Knowledge of Michkov Trade Desire, Veterans Being Blamed