Flyers Analyst Hartnell Backs Crosby for One Shocking Reason

As Olympic hockey draws near, former Flyer Scott Hartnell opens up about his unlikely support for Sidney Crosby, reflections on a career-defining season, and what today's Flyers can learn from the past.

Scott Hartnell Reflects on Olympic Glory, Flyers’ Struggles, and Michkov’s Wake-Up Call

PHILADELPHIA - For Scott Hartnell, few years in his 17-season NHL career stand out quite like 2010. It wasn’t his most statistically dominant campaign, but the memories? Unforgettable.

That was the year the Flyers made their only Stanley Cup Final appearance of the 21st century. It was also the year Sidney Crosby etched his name into Canadian sports lore with a golden goal in overtime to lift Canada past the U.S. in the Vancouver Olympics. For Hartnell, who spent seven gritty seasons in Philadelphia and tangled countless times with Crosby’s Penguins, it was a moment that stirred both admiration and old-school rivalry.

“You can live a legacy like no other, like Sidney Crosby did in Vancouver,” Hartnell said recently, reflecting on that iconic goal. “Playing against Sid in my time with the Flyers, even when he scored that day, I was happy he scored that goal.”

Then, with a knowing grin, he added: “And I hated him even more when I played him in games after that.”

That’s the duality of Olympic hockey - national pride colliding with NHL rivalries. And with the 2026 Winter Games in Italy about to begin, Hartnell knows just how much this tournament means, especially for Canadian players.

It’s not just about medals. It’s about identity.

“It’s a life experience,” Hartnell said. “You care about your country, where you’re from.

It’s your first love - it’s Canada. For ‘Risto’ (Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen), it’s Finland.

It’s do-or-die hockey. You want to get through qualifying, get into the semis, and get into the finals.”

Hartnell’s seen both sides - playing alongside and against Olympians, and now analyzing the game from the studio. These days, he’s a familiar voice on NBC Philadelphia’s pre- and postgame shows, joining Hall of Famer Al Morganti and Ashlyn Sullivan to break down all things Flyers.

And lately, there’s been plenty to break down.

Philadelphia has hit a rough patch, slipping eight points out of a playoff spot with 26 games to go. The Olympic break offers a reset, but Hartnell’s seen this script before.

“It’s kind of been like that the last few years,” he said. “A great start, then an eight- or nine-game losing streak.

A couple years ago, they were right in the playoffs, then they had a seven-game skid. Then they picked it up the last few games of the season to make it interesting.”

There’s a core group still in the locker room from that 2023-24 squad, and Hartnell believes that experience matters.

“Those guys have gotten some valuable experience,” he said. “And then you learn from the past.”

One of the figures trying to guide that learning curve is Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, who’s also serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada at these Olympics. Hartnell, who faced Tocchet late in his playing days, remembers the edge Tocchet brought on the ice - and sees it now behind the bench.

“I know he’s hands-on in practices and coaching guys in between periods,” Hartnell said. “You don’t want to do it too much. It’s such a young team - you want to get on the same page, get into the system, and see improvements in how they play and prepare.”

Tocchet’s challenge isn’t just about systems and structure - it’s also about accountability. And no situation has tested that more this season than the curious case of second-year forward Matvei Michkov.

Hartnell didn’t mince words.

“I think he came into camp out of shape, to be honest,” he said. “I think everyone could see it.

He said it in November - ‘maybe I screwed up a little bit.’ It looks bad on him.

I think the guys in the room are probably a little disappointed. I know I am, after the kind of rookie year he had.”

Michkov showed flashes of brilliance in his first NHL season, but instead of building on that, he’s taken a step back - something Tocchet himself has acknowledged publicly.

“This is a learning experience for him,” Hartnell said. “You wanted to see him build on that rookie year. He’s been playing better lately, but it’s taken him a while.”

The message for Michkov is clear: next summer can’t look like last summer.

“If he does the same thing he did last summer, he might not even be in the lineup,” Hartnell said. “I expect him to get his butt in the gym, work on his speed and fitness.

Come into camp as one of the fittest guys. A few preseason games and he should be ready to rock.”

Despite the inconsistency, Hartnell isn’t ready to write off the Flyers’ playoff hopes just yet. The power play has shown signs of life, and if it stays hot, a late-season push isn’t out of the question.

And if fate somehow sets up a Flyers-Penguins playoff clash - with Crosby fresh off another Olympic golden moment - there’s no doubt where Hartnell’s loyalties lie.

Canada may be in his heart, but the Flyers? They’re in his blood.