“Do you know what I am calling for today? I am calling for the Briere signal,” said NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the latest edition of his podcast, 32 Thoughts.

Friedman is referring to the uproar caused by Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet’s recent comments about superstar Matvei Michkov.

To clarify his statement, Friedman said, “We’re going to flash the Briere signal, because he is the guy that is best able to put an end to this… This calls for extra measures.”

So, what exactly was said that is cause for “extra measures”?

Read More: Couturier, Tocchet Discuss the Captain’s New Role

Rick Tocchet at the Flyers Carnival

If you missed it, Tocchet went on PHLY at the Flyers Carnival and said this in response to a question as to why Michkov has not earned more ice time:

“Matvei did not come into camp in shape. It’s hard to play your way into shape. I have not told him, or any of our players, to take a guy 1-on-1, come out of the corner with the puck, make a play through the rush. Right now, he’s having a tough time in these situations. So, you could say other players, other players try. Maybe they don’t have [the same] skillset, but we’re trying to get [Michkov] to that level, how to develop him. [That is] practice, making sure you are on time for treatments and stuff like that. There is so much that goes into [your development], the way you eat.”

“You don’t just become a star, I am not talking about Matvei, just in general. Look at Trevor Zegras. He had a couple of bad years [in Anaheim], he comes here, bought into a couple things, now he’s doing a hell of a job for us.”

Tocchet, after talking about Zegras some more, got back on track to the question. He said, “I don’t know if I have answered the question, but that’s kind of the rules on winning. The crest supersedes everything, not an individual. That’s what I beleive.”

Back to Friedman

So, let’s go back to Elliotte Friedman. On 32 Thoughts, Friedman said, “If I were running the Philadelphia Flyers, what I would do is call a press conference, because Briere is the calmest; he is not going to let his emotions get control of him. So, I would say [Briere] is calling a press conference and is clearing the air. We’re putting this all out there. This is what happened… If I were Briere, I’d go out and say there are the issues, it’s over.

“Matvei Michkov is too important to the Flyers,” Friedman said. “If he is showing up out of shape, or he is late for treatments, those are things the Flyers have to deal with, and [Michkov] has to be better at.”

Friedman did not just take the side that this is Michkov’s fault. He also addressed Rick Tocchet’s comments.

“I can imagine the Flyers as an organization are unhappy with some of the commentary from the weekend. Generally, you like to keep that stuff in-house. I think that’s why Briere is the best-positioned guy to come out and say, “Sometimes the relationship has to hit rock bottom before things get better.””

Friedman closed by saying, “This is where the Flyers can say this is rock bottom, it’s over, we’re moving past it, new slate. It’s on the player and the Flyers to end it and finish it strong… You have to make it work. It’s too important.”

Writer’s Opinion: What to make of all of this Flyers noise?

Elliotte Friedman is absolutely right. The best course of action is for the Flyers to address the situation head-on and clear the air. Give both the player and coaching staff a clean slate. This is important whether things are as bad behind the scenes as they seem or not.

Let’s clear up one thing before we go any further. Matvei Michkov is too important to the future to trade him. At the same time, Rick Tocchet will not be fired after one season – the first of a five-year deal, might I add.

This is going to become a situation where neither the coach nor the player is going anywhere. So, if things are really this ugly, the “you have to coexist” conversation must happen.

Of course, if the two cannot coexist, that creates a whole new can of worms for the Flyers, which will have to lead to some difficult decisions. In my opinion, if that time ever comes, you have to stand with the player who is viewed as the future of the organization.

However, we are still far away from that discussion. Both parties need a clean slate and the opportunity to close this rather strange chapter in the book of the Flyers’ season before anything like that occurs.

Read More: Flyers Practice Notebook: Kolosov Recalled; Zegras Talks Playing Center; Injury Update