Matvei Michkov Has Had Enough, Sounds Off On Ice Time Controversy.

The Philadelphia Flyers have long downplayed any potential issues between head coach Rick Tocchet and star forward Matvei Michkov, this in spite of the fact that the two men have often been spotted butting heads on the bench.

On Saturday however that all came to a head when, in a surprising move, Michkov himself would use the media to express his displeasure with how he has been handled in Philadelphia. Michkov, who is not a native English speaker, went out of his way to state in plain English that he feels he has not been deployed enough under Tocchet.

"I want to play more," said Michkov plainly. "I like it all maximum, all shifts, all ice time, I want 60 minutes. I want lots of goals, lots of points."

It is a sentiment that has often been expressed by frustrated Flyers fans themselves, and the way in which Michkov delivered them I believe will only garner him even more support. Michkov didn't come off as a selfish player desperately demanding more ice time, but rather a passionate and emotional player who desperately wants to help his team win.

"Right now no good situation, we lost 10 games and this is so bad," said Michkov. "I want more playing time, I want more support. This is so important for me, hockey is my life."

Although the Flyers have shown signs of life in glimpses this season they remain at the bottom of the National Hockey League's Metropolitan Division with an ugly record of 4-10-4 on the season. Whether Michkov gets his way or not, it's clear something has to give.