Gavrikov about Torts/Michkov

A Russian-speaking channel 'Cherkas-Atlant' published a new video about Gavrikov's life in LA. There's a short comment in it regarding Torts and Michkov, which I translated

Source: https://youtu.be/OGY4hhaxZbY

Interviewer: Would you be surprised if you received a message from Michkov?

Gavrikov: Why would I be surprised?

I: Well, because you don’t talk. You were with Tortorella, and he’s going through his school of discipline.

G: Nah, I wouldn’t be surprised. Plus, there’s Oleg Znarok and Egor Zamula there too.

I: Has he written to you yet?

G: Not yet. We’re not playing each other anytime soon. But if I have time, we could go out for dinner with the guys in Philadelphia and invite Oleg Valeryevich (Znarok). Why not?

I: If Michkov asked you for a couple of tips on how to deal with Tortorella’s intense pressure, what would you tell him?

G: Well, he’s already been benched for a couple of games.

I: What stage of the discipline process is that?

G: A stage? Well, there aren't a lot of stages. But I think Torts has probably already yelled at him a couple of times. He benched him, he missed a few games. I think the third stage would be if Matvey answers back, and they get into it. I’ve seen it happen when guys respond.

We had something like that with Dubois — really interesting battles in the locker room. When one guy responds, Torts fires back, and it turns into a verbal fight. Everyone in the locker room sits in silence, watching to see what happens next. It’s like watching a movie from the front row, wondering what’s coming. Torts yells, spit flies, the other guy yells back. You think, "Someone’s definitely going to get their head smashed in now."

I: Is it even okay to answer back?

G: Torts likes it when you answer back. Matvey just needs to learn a couple of phrases to respond. But it has to be to the point, not just random. If you’ve lost the puck 3–4 times and it’s your fault, don’t go calling your coach an idiot. But if you’re sure you’re right and are standing up for your position, that’s not bad.

I: So for Torts, it’s important that you show some character?

G: It’s important to him that you care. Any coach would value that. That you’re engaged, even if you disagree, you’re angry, and you’re expressing your opinion at the right moment. That’s good. It means you care, you haven’t dropped your head or sulked. You’re showing the coach that you have emotions, you care. Whether it’s with swearing or without, doesn’t matter.

I: Did his approach help you?

G: Yeah, 100%. Torts is a really good coach, and I think he and Znarok understand each other well.

I: So he can get young guys motivated?

G: I think so, yeah. It’s a specific kind of school. It may not work for everyone, but that’s how it is. This kind of approach can help some people, but others might “sour” under it.