John Tortorella did not hesitate to take away playing time from Matvei Michkov when he was unhappy with his performances this season. And he did it again on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Russian didn’t see ice for the entire third period of a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The head coach felt a lack of tone in his player.
“It’s just been difficult energy-wise. In his skate, the energy is not there. You could see him struggling before the break. If I have to take him out of the game, I will, or stick him on the bench for a period. It was my decision,” Tortorella told the media after the meeting.
Michkov was employed for only 9:01, his lowest total of the campaign. He was also left out twice at the beginning of November.
• Also read: The Stars may have violated a collective agreement rule
• Also read: The Kings enjoy a rare victory against the Oilers
• Also read: Already a fifth transaction from the Predators this season!
Things haven’t been going great lately for the first-year player. The forward has not obtained a point in his last seven games, maintaining a differential of -11 during this sequence.
The seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft nevertheless leads National League rookies with 11 goals and 27 points in 34 games.
