Why rookie Matvei Michkov brings excitement, new hope to Flyers

VANCOUVER — In conjunction with the excitement, hope, and expectations surrounding Matvei Michkov ahead of his first season in the National Hockey League, the Philadelphia Flyers have also made sure to offer up a healthy dose of realism.

“He is not our saviour,” head coach John Tortorella stated in the latest installment of the Philadelphia Flyers’ docuseries The Standard. “He is 19. He’s going to be developed, he’s going to be taught, but I know he brings something that we dearly need — and that’s that skill level.”

Similarly, before training camp in September, general manager Daniel Briere told reporters his expectations for Michkov are “actually pretty low.”

“I’m realistic; it’s going to be a tough season for him,” said Briere. “This is the best league in the world. It’s a big step. It’s not going to be easy… I’m excited to watch him play, but he’s going to have to go through a lot before he’s the player he expects to be.”

That’s not to say the Flyers haven’t simultaneously talked up Michkov — they have, on multiple occasions, and with good reason. There’s no doubt they are genuinely excited about Michkov and what he can provide during his rookie season and beyond. Given Philadelphia has missed the playoffs each of the past four years, it’s easy to understand why there’s optimism that Michkov could help usher in a new era — one that sees them return to perennial contention. 

The attempt to manage expectations is likely aimed at taking some pressure off the young player and ensuring fans give the Russian winger at least a little grace as he enters a new league, just in case a significant adjustment period is needed.

How much pressure is Michkov under? Besides hopes in the fan base that he could have an explosive impact right away, there are also projections that he will be a favourite in this year’s Calder Trophy race. Ten of 20 Sportsnet NHL Insiders polled predicted the Flyers freshman would take home the honour.

His journey begins Friday, when he’ll make his debut on the road against the Vancouver Canucks. Coming off their own season opener — a 5-4 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday — the Canucks will be seeking a solid bounce-back performance. A hungry team with Stanley Cup aspirations, at home and looking for their first win, Vancouver presents a tall task for Michkov and the Flyers in his first-ever game. 

What can we expect from Michkov right out of the gate? At the Flyers’ practice on Thursday, Tortorella shared that he will afford Michkov and fellow rookie Jett Luchanko (the 13th overall pick from the 2024 draft) extra leeway as they get their feet wet with their first real NHL experience.

“Oh, they’re gonna make a ton of mistakes,” said Tortorella. “The key things with those guys there, especially Michkov, are that he’s more polished right now as an offensive guy. As I’ve said, I don’t want to turn him into a checker; I want him to score some goals for us. He’s going to make some mistakes; he’s going to cheat at certain times. We expect that.”

Recognizing defence could be a challenge for Michkov, Tortorella has been working on various details with him.

“I can tell he doesn’t understand how to defend three-on-three. It’s just man-on-man. We just need to explain to him and let him understand that. You know, I want him taking off, I want him to try to score a goal, but there’s some times we have to defend it.”

Michkov is expected to start on Philadelphia’s top line with Travis Konecny and 2020 Selke Trophy winner Sean Couturier. Couturier spoke on Thursday about what Michkov’s arrival means to the team and its fanbase.

“I think definitely (it’s exciting), especially with the fans,” the Flyers’ captain said. “I think everyone’s excited to see him here earlier than expected, and obviously, he’s shown already that he’s a pretty high-skilled player with a lot of potential. So definitely excited to have him around.”

It’s early, but Couturier said there’s a budding chemistry on the line.

“I think we’re getting more and more familiar. I think we’re two guys that like to make plays and definitely got to be ready when you’re out there with him. Find an open area, and he’ll find you. So, still trying to build that chemistry, but I feel like it’s getting better and better, and hopefully, we can get off to a good start here.”

Looking back at last season, the Flyers were officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 16, just two days before the conclusion of the regular season. After sitting in a post-season position for several months, a rough patch down the stretch threw them off course. The club went on an eight-game losing streak from the end of March to the beginning of April and ultimately lost nine of their final 11 games, finishing the season with a 38-33-11 record and four points out of the final wild-card spot.

Some struggles plagued them throughout the year, including a weak power play and poor shot quality. Their power play ranked dead last at 12.2 per cent (it also ranked last in 2022-23 at 15.6 per cent). Meanwhile, according to stats from NHL Edge, they were below the 50^th percentile for high-danger shots and shooting percentage on high-danger chances and had the fourth-lowest overall shooting percentage at five-on-five in the league. As a result, the Flyers finished the season with 231 goals — the sixth-fewest in the NHL.

“It’s been the weakest part of our team since I’ve been here – our power play, our four-on-four and three-on-three,” said Tortorella. “We just have not done it well enough offensively, so it’s something we’re going to work on. We’re going to continue to work on that.”

Luckily for the Flyers, this is the area of the game where Michkov shines. As Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala projects, “There is little doubt in my mind that Michkov has the potential to move the needle offensively for the Flyers in his rookie year.

“Michkov leans shooter more than natural playmaker,” Bukala continued. “He craves having the puck on his stick and directing the play on the net. As an example, in his final 10-game segment in the Kontinental Hockey League last season, he attempted 70 shots on goal, with 43 ending up on the net, 12 blocked and only 15 missing his target altogether. I expect the bulk of his ice time to come at even strength, four-on-four, overtime and on the first power play unit working off the weak side flank.”

While we shouldn’t read too much into pre-season results, Michkov’s seven points in four games were also a positive sign regarding his transition from the KHL to the NHL.

Some backstory for anyone out of the loop: Michkov first arrived in Philadelphia this past summer — two years earlier than anticipated. At the time the Flyers drafted him in June 2023, it was believed the Russian forward wouldn’t play in the NHL anytime soon, as he remained under contract with the KHL’s SKA Saint Petersburg through the 2025-26 season. This uncertainty contributed to him falling a bit in the draft. Bukala’s final rankings had Michkov ranked No. 4 overall, but Philadelphia got him at pick number seven.

At the time, Briere expressed the team’s willingness to wait, telling ESPN, “It’s a talent we cannot pass up.” The only player the Flyers had ranked ahead of Michkov leading up to the draft was the first-overall pick, Connor Bedard.

Meanwhile, Michkov made it known he was hoping to end up with the Flyers and indicated he wanted to come to Philadelphia as soon as possible. And, in a turn of events this June, Michkov’s KHL contract was terminated, allowing him to sign a three-year, entry-level deal with the Flyers on July 1. 

His arrival is charged with anticipation. However, we should expect some bumps along the way.

“Like any developing prospect, there are going to be nights he is challenged with the physicality and speed of the NHL game,” Bukala said. “He has, in the past, lacked some defensive detail against the best teams in the KHL.”

Michkov also faces the challenge of a language barrier while absorbing all this new information. His teammate, Egor Zamula, has been helping by translating English to Russian on the ice. This was evident on Thursday when Zamula facilitated a conversation between Michkov and Tortorella during practice, seemingly to clarify a particular drill the team was working on.

Addressing that specific instance, Tortorella said, “As coaches, we know what we want out of him, out of any player, whether it be Michkov or any player. Sometimes, we don’t spend enough time making sure they understand… We’ve got to make sure, especially with Michkov, that we explain it and let him question us, just make sure it’s covered. And Zamula’s done a really good job of that, worrying about his practice habits, but also kind of helping him as far as the language barrier. But Michkov picks it up, you can tell he picks it up, and if he doesn’t understand, he tells us, so it’s been really good.”

A lot of eyes will be on Michkov Friday night in Vancouver, one day after another Calder Trophy hopeful, Macklin Celebrini, debuted with a goal and an assist in San Jose’s 5-4 loss to St. Louis. Will the Flyers rookie have similar showing?

You can catch Michkov’s first game by tuning in to Sportsnet or Sportsnet+ starting at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET. 

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