Fantasy Hockey Insights: Michkov’s Value Increases After Tortorella’s Exit

While John Tortorella is undoubtedly a capable coach, his effectiveness has a limited lifespan.

He excels at pushing players to their peak, but his methods involve tough lessons. Tortorella is known for not hesitating to bench or scratch players, regardless of their status or the season`s stage, sending a clear message that no one is indispensable.

This approach seemed like an unusual fit for the Philadelphia Flyers, a team in the process of rebuilding and aiming to become competitive again. Tortorella didn`t shy away from benching some of the Flyers` promising young players, even when Philadelphia`s playoff aspirations were fading. These developmental moments might have been better spent on the ice, allowing players to learn from their mistakes and gain valuable experience, rather than being sidelined. Tortorella`s strategies might have been more effective in the past, but in today`s game, benching potential future stars of the franchise is no longer a common practice.

The experienced coach also presented significant challenges for fantasy hockey enthusiasts. It was difficult to rely on a Tortorella-coached player when their ice time was so unpredictable, potentially spending the game in the press box or receiving minimal minutes. In fantasy hockey, the most crucial asset is a player`s availability.

This year has shown numerous examples of Flyers players who should be valuable in fantasy hockey but were hard to depend on. Matvei Michkov, for instance, was benched for several games earlier in the season, and Owen Tippett was moved to a lower line. In Tortorella’s last game as the Flyers` head coach, he limited Cam York to just 3 minutes and 50 seconds of ice time, reportedly for disciplinary reasons, keeping him on the bench for the majority of the game. All these scenarios are far from ideal for fantasy hockey team owners.

Michkov is a vital player for both the Flyers and in fantasy leagues. He has the potential to become a franchise cornerstone, and if he’s on your fantasy team, you’d much rather see him scoring points in a game, even if it’s a loss, than being a healthy scratch. Connor Bedard is facing similar challenges due to the lack of talent around him, but at least he is consistently playing every night. Michkov also has the advantage of playing alongside players like Travis Konecny, who can help him achieve good stats even during difficult periods for the Flyers as a team.

You can already observe Michkov playing with increased confidence, highlighted by his four goals in just two games since Tortorella’s departure. Consider moving Michkov up on your draft boards for the upcoming season.

It remains to be seen who the Flyers will ultimately choose to replace Tortorella permanently, but it`s highly probable they will adopt a more fantasy-friendly approach. This would ideally mean less worry about Flyers players being benched or not getting enough ice time. A roster that was once considered risky to draft from now offers more potential.

Quick Fantasy Hockey Thoughts:

1. Eeli Tolvanen has been a true gem as a waiver wire pickup this season. The Seattle Kraken forward is on track to score around 25 goals and deliver 250 hits, making him an incredibly valuable asset in leagues that count multiple statistics. While a higher shot count would be desirable, there aren`t many players who offer this combination of offensive contribution and physical play.
2. Thatcher Demko returned to the ice this week and looked impressive in his two starts. The Vancouver Canucks goalie has experienced inconsistency this season, and the team faces a challenging schedule towards the end of the year, including games against top teams. Kevin Lankinen has also performed well, and with the Canucks dealing with injuries, it’s wise to keep expectations measured for Demko for the remainder of the season. However, if he maintains this level of play, he will be a significant asset going forward.
3. Pius Suter deserves credit for seizing an opportunity this week as the Canucks are facing injuries at the center position. Suter has temporarily stepped into the team’s top center role and benefited from a favorable game schedule. He quickly made an impact, accumulating seven points in just three games this week. If the Canucks` center position doesn`t improve due to injuries, Suter could be a valuable player to hold onto. He offers contributions across several fantasy categories.
4. Andrei Kuzmenko is off to a good start with the Los Angeles Kings. Kuzmenko has been given a chance on the top forward line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, as well as on the primary power-play unit. He has rewarded the Kings with four points in five games. Although Kuzmenko`s performance can be inconsistent, you might be able to capitalize on a hot streak for a few games during a crucial fantasy playoff matchup. He also registered a notable seven shots on goal on Saturday night.
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins elevated his game when both Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid were out of the lineup, amassing nine points in a four-game stretch. It`s worth noting that Nugent-Hopkins played over 23 minutes last weekend against the Seattle Kraken, marking his highest ice time in a game since late January. While few players benefit from the absence of McDavid and Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins is certainly one of them.