Flyers fans are desperate for a superstar, and that's fueling the intense focus on Matvei Michkov! Former Flyers captain Chris Pronger recently shared his candid thoughts on the team's seemingly endless rebuild and the development of their promising young prospect, Michkov.
Pronger, a Hockey Hall of Famer who concluded his illustrious 18-year career with the Flyers, appeared on the popular 'Spittin' Chiclets' podcast. He didn't hold back when discussing the team's current situation.
The Rebuild That Never Seems to End
The current leadership, helmed by Keith Jones and Danny Brière since March 2023, is still relatively new. However, the fanbase is still deeply scarred by the missteps of previous management.
"They've been in what's called a rebuild for what seems like 12 years," Pronger stated. "I think they're frustrated and they want the rebuild to be over, but they didn't go about the rebuild properly in the early days."
It's been a long drought for Flyers faithful. The team hasn't seen playoff action since the 2020 COVID bubble, and their last playoff series win dates back to the 2012-13 season. Even that victory was in the unique, empty-arena setting of the bubble.
But here's where it gets controversial... Pronger argues that the most crucial elements for a successful rebuild are a star center and a No. 1 defenseman. These are precisely the pieces that have eluded the Flyers. While luck plays a role, he believes that pinning all hopes on winger Matvei Michkov to be the sole catalyst for a Stanley Cup contention is unrealistic.
"I don't know any team — any team — that rebuilds with a winger," Pronger asserted. "You don't rebuild with a winger, you rebuild up the middle — center, defense, goalie. I know you [draft] the best player available, and clearly he was the best player, but as it relates to that, sometimes you have to luck out, too, in a rebuild and get the right pick when the right player is available."
Pronger previously expressed on X that these cornerstone players are incredibly difficult to acquire. He emphasized the need for patience and strategic asset accumulation. He even suggested that a complete teardown, similar to what San Jose and Chicago have done, might be the path to landing a generational talent like Macklin Celebrini or Connor Bedard.
Nurturing Michkov's Potential
Pronger also touched on Michkov's initial readiness for training camp, admitting he himself struggled with conditioning early in his own career. He highlighted the limited practice time in the NHL, making it tough to get into game shape mid-season.
And this is the part most people miss... the language barrier between Michkov and the coaching staff presents a significant hurdle. "The fact that he doesn’t speak the language very well, if at all, that’s part of the problem, because it might not be translating properly what he’s going through, what he’s dealing with," Pronger explained. "… You’ve got to be hard on young guys, but it’s not 1995, either. That’s not how this world works in today’s hockey world, in today’s NHL. You have to find a connection with the player. There’s ways to be hard."
Currently, the Flyers don't have a dedicated full-time Russian translator for Michkov, relying on skating coach Slava Kuznetsov for assistance.
Pronger believes the Flyers need to actively teach Michkov professionalism, starting with arriving at camp in optimal condition and developing greater puck responsibility. He observed that former coach John Tortorella utilized Michkov in different ways, including on the power play, seemingly putting him in more advantageous situations to showcase his skills rather than solely focusing on areas needing improvement.
The Flyers are currently on their Olympic break and are set to resume play on February 25th against the Washington Capitals.
What do you think? Is Chris Pronger right about the rebuild strategy? Should the Flyers have focused more on acquiring centers and defensemen? And how important is the language barrier for Michkov's development? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
