VANCOUVER — Along with the joy, hope, and expectations surrounding Matvei Michkov forward of his first season within the Nationwide Hockey League, the Philadelphia Flyers have additionally made positive to supply up a wholesome dose of realism.
“He isn’t our saviour,” head coach John Tortorella acknowledged within the newest installment of the Philadelphia Flyers’ docuseries The Customary. “He’s 19. He’s going to be developed, he’s going to be taught, however I do know he brings one thing that we dearly want — and that’s that ability degree.”
Equally, earlier than coaching camp in September, common supervisor Daniel Briere instructed reporters his expectations for Michkov are “really fairly low.”
“I’m sensible; it’s going to be a tricky season for him,” mentioned Briere. “That is the most effective league on the earth. It’s a giant step. It’s not going to be simple… I’m excited to observe him play, however he’s going to need to undergo so much earlier than he’s the participant he expects to be.”
That’s to not say the Flyers haven’t concurrently talked up Michkov — they’ve, on a number of events, and with good cause. There’s little doubt they’re genuinely enthusiastic about Michkov and what he can present throughout his rookie season and past. Given Philadelphia has missed the playoffs every of the previous 4 years, it’s simple to know why there’s optimism that Michkov might assist usher in a brand new period — one which sees them return to perennial competition.
The try and handle expectations is probably going aimed toward taking some strain off the younger participant and making certain followers give the Russian winger at the very least a bit grace as he enters a brand new league, simply in case a major adjustment interval is required.
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How a lot strain is Michkov underneath? Moreover hopes within the fan base that he might have an explosive influence instantly, there are additionally projections that he will likely be a favorite on this yr’s Calder Trophy race. Ten of 20 Sportsnet NHL Insiders polled predicted the Flyers freshman would take dwelling the honour.
His journey begins Friday, when he’ll make his debut on the highway in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks. Coming off their very own season opener — a 5-4 additional time loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday — the Canucks will likely be looking for a strong bounce-back efficiency. A hungry crew with Stanley Cup aspirations, at dwelling and searching for their first win, Vancouver presents a tall job for Michkov and the Flyers in his first-ever recreation.
What can we count on from Michkov proper out of the gate? On the Flyers’ follow on Thursday, Tortorella shared that he’ll afford Michkov and fellow rookie Jett Luchanko (the thirteenth general decide from the 2024 draft) additional leeway as they get their ft moist with their first actual NHL expertise.
“Oh, they’re gonna make a ton of errors,” mentioned Tortorella. “The important thing issues with these guys there, particularly Michkov, are that he’s extra polished proper now as an offensive man. As I’ve mentioned, I don’t wish to flip him right into a checker; I need him to attain some targets for us. He’s going to make some errors; he’s going to cheat at sure occasions. We count on that.”
Recognizing defence might be a problem for Michkov, Tortorella has been engaged on varied particulars with him.
“I can inform he doesn’t perceive tips on how to defend three-on-three. It’s simply man-on-man. We simply want to elucidate to him and let him perceive that. You realize, I need him taking off, I need him to attempt to rating a objective, however there’s some occasions now we have to defend it.”
Michkov is predicted to begin on Philadelphia’s prime line with Travis Konecny and 2020 Selke Trophy winner Sean Couturier. Couturier spoke on Thursday about what Michkov’s arrival means to the crew and its fanbase.
“I believe undoubtedly (it’s thrilling), particularly with the followers,” the Flyers’ captain mentioned. “I believe everybody’s excited to see him right here sooner than anticipated, and clearly, he’s proven already that he’s a fairly high-skilled participant with lots of potential. So undoubtedly excited to have him round.”
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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 50th 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.”
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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.
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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.
