{"id":501522,"date":"2026-03-13T16:15:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T16:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/501522\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T16:15:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T16:15:31","slug":"philadelphia-flyers-michkov-tippett-are-having-similarly-productive-seasons-the-hockey-writers-philadelphia-flyers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/501522\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Flyers’ Michkov & Tippett Are Having Similarly Productive Seasons – The Hockey Writers – Philadelphia Flyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> winger Owen Tippett<\/a> recently had another impressive performance. In a system that prioritizes preventing rush chances, his speed and ability to create in transition have been a godsend. On March 11, he recorded a goal and an assist in a 4\u20131 victory against the Washington Capitals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the season, Tippett is up to 22 goals and 18 assists in 65 contests. Beyond the basic numbers, it\u2019s clear to the eye that the 27-year-old has improved his decision-making and overall impact on the game. The general media has recognized him for these accomplishments (from \u2018A relieved Owen Tippett dominates in Flyers\u2019 win over Caps: \u2018I love playing here\u2019,\u2019 The Athletic \u2013 March 12, 2026).<\/p>\n

However, the media will also tell you that the hopeful face of the franchise, Matvei Michkov<\/a>, is playing unacceptable hockey. Multiple reporters have criticized his \u201cbody fat percentage<\/a>,\u201d playing into head coach Rick Tocchet\u2019s incessant \u201cout-of-shape\u201d comments.<\/p>\n

Related: Flyers\u2019 Daniel Bri\u00e8re Is Falling into the Chuck Fletcher Trap<\/a><\/p>\n

In reality, though, the two players\u2019 campaigns aren\u2019t as dissimilar as some are making them out to be. Let\u2019s look at the numbers\u2014they tell a different story than what the media has portrayed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Michkov vs. Tippett: Offensive Production<\/p>\n

This season, Michkov has 16 goals and 17 assists in 64 games. That falls a bit short of Tippett, but when you account for the two-minute average of ice time difference per game, they\u2019re closer than the raw stats suggest.<\/p>\n

\"MatveiPhiladelphia Flyers right wing Owen Tippett (74) celebrates his goal with right wing Matvei Michkov (39) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Per 60 minutes, Tippett is recording 2.22 points compared to Michkov\u2019s 2.09. Those totals rank in the 67th and 63rd percentiles league-wide among forwards with 25 games played. In terms of production, they\u2019re practically the same.<\/p>\n

Michkov vs. Tippett: Overall Impact<\/p>\n

When shifting to overall offensive impact, you could argue that Michkov is the narrow winner. Per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, he ranks second among Flyers forwards in shots generated, fifth in goals, and sixth in expected goals. In those same metrics, Tippett is third, seventh, and fourth.<\/p>\n

Related: Hockey Advanced Analytics: What Are They & Why Are They Important?<\/a><\/p>\n

What about defense, you ask? Tippett has him there, with a better even-strength defensive grade<\/a> (0.04 vs. minus-0.29). But Michkov has a slightly better goal share (47.6% vs. 45.2%) and is allowing just 0.03 more expected goals per 60 minutes.<\/p>\n

When putting everything together, you have to account for Michkov\u2019s lack of discipline in the first half of the season, which is a detriment to his overall impact. But at the end of the day, both players have had objectively good seasons.<\/p>\n

Final Word: \u201cMichkov Is Out of Shape\u201d Talk Is Out of Hand<\/p>\n

The anti-Michkov propaganda<\/a> has recently ramped up another notch. Almost daily, you have reporters repeating the \u201cout-of-shape\u201d sentiments that were already dragged out by October. After fans began criticizing Tocchet, Paul Bissonnette, a known friend of the coach and a big media personality, released a series of posts poking fun at Flyers fans and Michkov.<\/p>\n

Vibe check Flyers fans? Another big W. Back to back with travel heading into Minnesota. Your boy with a big nothing burger in the points department and 3 giveaways yet the other guys come through. Was 16 minutes not enough??? Say it ain\u2019t so. Maybe uncle Bizzy boy was right. \ud83d\udc85\ud83c\udffc<\/p>\n

\u2014 Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) March 13, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

It\u2019s just some internet banter, but it is a little telling that nobody has Michkov\u2019s back in all of this. Last season, when Bissonnette criticized Connor Bedard for playing \u201cpond hockey,\u201d the Chicago Blackhawks were quick to defend their star<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This whole drama is beyond out of hand\u2014you can\u2019t have NHL.com reporters saying a young player\u2019s body fat percentage online, even if the player was poorly conditioned. Yet, the Flyers don\u2019t really seem to care. Hopefully, they come to their senses one day. Because their 21-year-old, who is \u201cout of shape,\u201d is right there with Tippett\u2014an in-his-prime player who everyone seems to want<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stats courtesy of Hockey Stats<\/a><\/p>\n

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