“One thing I can tell you – Matvei Michkov is not going anywhere. Let’s make that clear,” said Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere while addressing the media, addressing the noise around Matvei Michkov and head coach Rick Tocchet.

A recent uproar was sparked by Tocchet’s comments about Michkov and earning ice time. The noise reached national media, including Elliotte Friedman, who spoke about it on the latest 32 Thoughts and called for the “Briere Signal.”

With the noise only growing throughout the day, Briere addressed the media before Tuesday’s game against the Washington Capitals. The Flyers GM spoke on Michkov’s ups and downs, the learning curve of the development progress, and the relationship between player and coach.

Here is what Briere had to say.

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Flyers GM answers the “Briere Signal”, addresses Michkov’s ups and downs

“Matvei is going to be here for a long time. He’s going to be a good player here for the Flyers. What he is going through right now is all a part of the learning process,” said Briere.

There is a lot that goes into being an NHL player, more than most will ever know. Most hockey players don’t know what it’s like until they get to the league. That is one of the many points made by the Flyers GM on Tuesday.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” said Briere. “Matvei arrived here with guys like Denver Barkey and Nikita Grebenkin, learning to become better pros. You don’t know before you arrive in the NHL what it’s like on a daily basis, the grind and everything that’s attached to it. They’re learning, and that’s what Rick Tocchet is trying to teach them.”

The Flyers’ GM noted that the ups and downs Matvei Michkov is experiencing are normal. Almost every NHLer has gone through these sorts of things early in their career.

Briere called on his own experience, as well as the experience of others around the situation, saying, “I’ve been through it, Keith Jones has been through it, Rick Tocchet has been through it. It’s all a part of the process. You can go into our locker room and ask guys like Jamie Drysdale, Bobby Brink, Tyson Foerster, Cam York – they’ve all been through it. When you arrive, it’s tough.”

The learning curve of the early years is all part of a player’s development.

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Discussing Rick Tocchet and developing the young Flyers’ star

“When Matvei arrived earlier than expected, we knew there were going to be some bumps along the way. And that is kind of what has happened,” said Briere.

Matvei Michkov became a Flyer way earlier than many expected, and took the team and the league by storm with his 26-goal, 63-point rookie season. Expectations were sky high for the sophomore star. However, he is experiencing those ups and downs this season.

Coaching a young player through these struggles is where a coach’s development plan becomes critical.

If there was ever a question about Tocchet’s development plan, Briere voiced that the front office is not concerned. “The other thing I can tell you: I talk to Rick Tocchet daily. He wants Michkov to succeed; he wants to develop him into the best player he can be. On the way, there are tough lessons that come with that.”

Briere compared developing their star player to raising a child, saying there will be tough moments, whether he’s playing 12, 14, 16, or 52 minutes a night. “He’s learning along the way. It’s a part of the process, and it’s going to make him a better player along the way, and Rick Tocchet wants that. He wants to be here for the long haul to lead this team.”

The Tocchet and Michkov relationship

Arguably, the most important thing Briere spoke about was the relationship between Rick Tocchet and Matvei Michkov.

“[Tocchet] and Matvei have a good relationship. Sometimes they’re fiery. When you’re not winning, things are done and said, but they always come back to the table and want the best for this team, and Rick wants the best for Matvei.”

Specifically regarding Tocchet’s comments at the Flyers Charities Carnival, Briere shut down any notion that it was a pointed comment.

“I know there were some comments regarding missing treatments from Rick Tocchet at the carnival. Those comments were made in relation to trying to explain how players are learning along the way. He wasn’t targeting Matvei.”

One of the last things that Briere said was what every Flyers fan wanted to hear.

“Rick knows how important [Michkov] is to the future of the organization. He wants to make it work.”

The “Briere signal” went up, and the Flyers’ general manager answered the call. Now, it’s up to the player and coach from here on out.

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