Going into the offseason, once the NHL Draft concluded and Flyers fans realized Matvei Michkov was on his way to begin his NHL career, there was immediate chatter about who he’d play with. A lot of people believed Morgan Frost would be the center for him to be tied to. Others figured the most logical center to play alongside the promising rookie would be captain (and veteran) Sean Couturier. Some might have even suggested a tandem of Michkov with Scott Laughton, who could provide some steadiness for him. Others more in fantasy land than the real world believed Jett Luchanko and Michkov would be an item for all of 2024-25. We know how that turned out. But nobody could have fathomed that Ryan Poehling would be anywhere near that conversation.
Yet, with seventeen games done (and with game eighteen against Buffalo Saturday night), Anthony Richard, Ryan Poehling and Matvei Michkov are a line. Some have used their surnames (and the speed aspect) to deem them the RPM line. It’s unclear how long Richard could remain in the lineup, but with four points through four games (and the team getting points its last four games), it’s hard to take him out right now, especially as Poehling is finding some chemistry with him as a linemate.
The Michkov/Poehling idea might not seem as foolish just from the eye test and process of elimination. Of the four centers the Flyers currently have, Poehling looks to be the fastest of the lot. He’s certainly faster than Morgan Frost and Couturier, and wouldn’t have much of a problem being quicker than Laughton. Outside of Jett Luchanko, it’s conceivable the fastest center for this season and next for Philadelphia is Poehling. Poehling might also be the center currently who has the best chance of enduring 82 games both avoiding injuries and being out of John Tortorella’s doghouse. He only missed five games last year. And with Couturier’s back issues and injuries still somewhat hovering over him, and Frost looking like he might be on the homestretch of his Flyers career, Poehling could be the center for Michkov. At least for this season.
If you add Poehling’s speed into the mix with a high-end talent (and quick thinking playmaker) like Michkov, the 28 points Poehling had last year could end up being 40 to 45 points this year. And those 28 points were spent most frequently with Garnet Hathaway on one side of him (466:16 TOI together at 5-on-5) and Noah Cates on the other (246:58 TOI 5-on-5), with Nic Deslauriers also in the mix. Michkov will never be mistaken for any of those wingers. But if he and Poehling continue to play together, having that much possible production from a forward being paid $1.9 million AAV would be great value.
When Michkov and Poehling were paired before the San Jose game Monday evening (and after the two-game scratching Michkov had against Tampa and Florida), Poehling was asked what he hoped he could do to help Michkov. “He showcases a lot of skill in the game,” Poehling said. “I think my main priority tonight is just going to be working hard, getting him the puck and then getting open. You see when he has time and space, he can make great plays.”
The speed factor could also pay dividends as far as playing without the puck. Should Michkov get caught up ice or make a bad pinch, it’s conceivable the wheels Poehling has could nix a great odd-man chance for the opposition. And being used often on the penalty kill (31:31 time on ice short-handed this season) would lead most to conclude (outside of the idiotic amount of penalties the team has taken) he’s responsible in his own zone. Having that dependable and speedy forward beside him could enable Michkov to be a bit more daring.
With Michkov hoping to put together a handful of strong two-way games that keeps him from the press box in the coming weeks, it would be a great and fortunate opportunity for Poehling to reap the benefits of playing with the Mad Russian. And yes a lot of this might just be glass half full optimism. But if Richard, Poehling and Michkov end up being the “об/мин” line (that’s Russian for RPM) and manage to run with it for any considerable length of time, it could be one of the team’s biggest surprises of 2024-25.
