VOORHEES, N.J. — The Olympic break could not have come at a better time for Flyers second-year player Matvei Michkov.

It’s been a struggle for much of the season for the 21-year-old Russian forward. Playing for under new coach Rick Tocchet, he’s been moved from one side of the rink to the other and juggled through lines. Plus, there have been questions about his fitness since the day he walked into training camp in September.

When the Olympic break started Feb. 6, everyone around the team agreed the time off would do Michkov good.

Tuesday, after six days of practice, Michkov allowed himself a smile or two as he faced media at the Flyers Training Zone.

Inquiring minds wanted to know just about everything Michkov has been up to. Through a translator, he answered questions with a confident tone. Some of that swagger might have come from the fact that he seemed to play a lot better in the last few games before the break.

“I was training everyday,” Michkov noted of time during the break. “Two a day, the first one was the gym. The second was conditioning and stamina.”

Then came the query about how Michkov feels mentally and emotionally. It’s no secret that it’s been a difficult transition from life in Russia to everyday existence in the United States.

That might help explain why his numbers have dropped off from his sensational first season when he was probably the fourth-best rookie in the NHL. He wasn’t among the three finalists for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year, but he was close.

In 80 games, he registered 26 goals and 63 points with three shootout goals, eight power-play goals (17 points) and three game-winning goals, plus 16:41 average ice time.

In 55 games this season, he’s posted only 13 goals and 29 points, just two power-play goals and seven points), and only 14:34 average ice time.

Perhaps these three weeks away can provide a reset.

“I feel a lot better,” he said. “Hope to feel a lot better in the games as well. My main point now is to help the team and win. My mind is always ready. We’re working on a couple things. I’m ready to go the second half. Before the Olympics break I was playing better.”

Michkov flourished last season under former coach John Tortorella. This season, Tocchet has experimented with Michkov on both right and left wing as well as the first and second power-play units.

Michkov caught fire after last year’s 4 Nations tournament. Is he looking for a similar late charge?

“Last year, after the 4 Nations, there was not too long of a break,” he said. “I was just resting. This time I was not planning to rest. I was not happy with the way the game goes. So I was working the entire break.”

Teams may have been caught off guard by Michkov’s production last season. All teams make adjustments, which is why you see fewer spectacular middle-of-the-ice breakaways this year.

Just before the break, general manager Daniel Briere heard scuttlebutt about Michkov’s concerns about reduced ice time. Briere put to rest any rumors about an organizational fallout, saying that Michkov has a big part in the Flyers’ future.

“I have to do my job, that’s the only thing I care about,” Michkov said. “The way he (Tocchet) plays me, he decides.”

What about the position “controversy?” Michkov, a lefty shooter, has played much of his career on the right side. Moving to the left can be a tall order at the NHL level.

“I’ve always played on the right, now I play on the left,” he said. “The coach sees me there, so I have to adapt as quick as I can. For me, on the right, I can create more. Now I have to switch everything to left and do the same thing.”

Flyers assistant coach Todd Reirden, who has been running the show with Tocchet at the Olympics, positive things to say about Michkov’s adjustment.

“I think he’s done a real good job with adjusting,” Reirden said. “The way he’s been able to convert and make plays on that side, it opens up different options for him. It’s something we wanted to take a look at. We are going to continue to stay with that.”

For the Flyers to make up an eight-point gap to the final playoff spot, they’ll need some semblance of the 2024-25 Michkov.

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NOTES >> Defenseman Travis Sanheim, who won a silver medal with Canada Sunday, was not at Tuesday’s practice but is expected to play Wednesday night at Washington. … Goaltender Dan Vladar, back from Olympic duty with Czechia, is expected to start against the Capitals. Sam Ersson looks set to go against the Rangers when the Flyers complete a back-to-back in New York Thursday night.