Head coach John Tortorella and the Philadelphia Flyers made major airwaves after making public the decision to bench, as in fully healthy scratch, rookie sensation Matvei Michkov ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In his two-plus years as Flyers head coach, John Tortorella has preached that nobody is above the law and backed up those words with his actions. Thursday afternoon provided the latest example, as Tortorella announced that rookie sensation Matvei Michkov will be a healthy scratch for the team’s game tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7:30 p.

Philadelphia Flyers coach scratching rookie of the month Matvei Michkov is not necessarily a bad thing. It's now up to the Calder Trophy contender to respond effectively.

To be clear, from Day 1 of training camp Tortorella has left little doubt he thinks the world of Michkov. The winger’s work ethic, competitiveness and internal fire have endeared him to the Flyers’ often tough-to-please coach. Yes, there’s a nearly half-century age gap between the two, but there seems to be a real affection there.

Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matrei Michkov was a healthy scratch Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a move coach John Tortorella described as “just part of the process” in the young player's development.

Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella announced this morning that star rookie Matvei Michkov will be scratched for this evening's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. When pushed for his reasoning on the decision,

Philadelphia Flyers star rookie Matvei Michkov will be a healthy scratch for the first time, missing Thursday's game at the Tampa Bay Lightning, coach John Tortorella said. The 19-year-old Michkov is second on the Flyers with 10 points (4 goals,

Philadelphia Flyers rookie forward Matvei Michkov will be a healthy scratch for Thursday's game against the host Tampa Bay Lightning, coach John Tortorella said.