Matvei Michkov has his first public battle with John Tortorella

Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella announced this morning that star rookie Matvei Michkov will be scratched for this evening's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

When pushed for his reasoning on the decision, Tortorella would only shared that, "it's part of the process."

"I told you guys," Tortorella snapped to reporters. "With young guys, they can watch games too as far as development goes. So it's part of the process."

Tortorella's full comments:

Matvei's offensive game has been absolutely electric in his rookie campaign, scoring four goals and 10 points in 13 games to start the campaign. There's no denying that the teenager is a dynamic talent, but his defensive game is lacking... and that simply won't fly under a coach like Tortorella.

Really, we shouldn't be surprised with this development. Tortorella has always been a stickler for 'playing the right way' and this is how he has handled rookies and young players in the past. And all I've seen and heard from Michkov too, the kid seems like he's pretty mature and can handle things like this. I'm willing to bet that Tortorella is 100% right and that Michkov will use tonight's evening in the press box to learn and improve his development.