Matvei Michkov has been climbing stairs, lifting weights, and getting ready for what will be his third (and possibly most important) season. As impressive as he was in his rookie season, Michkov’s second year was a bit of a step sideways. Or a step back. He clearly didn’t win over Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet from the onset, and found himself in the press box as the Hurricanes swept Philadelphia in the second round. Despite all those issues that clouded what was a 51-point season, Michkov was able to make the most of a rather trying, arduous opportunity stuck on the third line. That’s not to take anything away from his center most of the season in Noah Cates. But when you have a talented forward like Michkov, it’s important that he’s maximized to the fullest, particularly if he hits the ground running.
However, Michkov might have to outwork and outshine two wingers that Tocchet seems to have all the time in the world for: Owen Tippett and Porter Martone. Tippett’s game took a step forward with 28 goals, and an equal number of power play goals as short-handed ones (three). He could change the course of a game with one or two shifts, particularly with his physical presence and speed to burn going around defensemen. He clearly earned the chance to be in the top six, and often was the top line winger on the right.
Meanwhile, while the sample size was relatively small, Porter Martone could do no wrong in the 19 combined regular season and playoff games he played. With 10 points in last nine games of the season (including his first being a game-winner in overtime against Boston), Martone lit a spark under the Flyers that helped push them over the top into the playoffs. And in the first round against the Pens, he was lethal, scoring two game-winners on the road as Philadelphia offed Pittsburgh in six games. He played better than anyone expected. But it’s a new season, and he’ll have to prove he belongs there.
Which brings us to how Michkov can find his way not just into the top six, but possibly find himself on the top line alongside Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras. It’s not going to be easy for him. And he’s going to have to hope whatever bygones he and Tocchet might have had are in the past for gone for good. However, it’s possible Michkov is getting more ice time with prime time players than he did most of 2025-26. And three possibilities (or at least some combination of two) could make that a reality.
Michkov comes out blazing
Last season, Michkov came out of the blocks slow. His first goal of the season was also his first point in the fourth game against the Jets. He never scored again until a three-game goal streak in November. The streak made him resemble his old self (or as old as a then 20-year-old can be). But while earning assists, the production and eye test wasn’t all that remarkable. He had four multi-point games in the eight games he played in April, this after registering just seven in the previous 70-plus games. So, if he can regain or find that form where he’s just playing his game, burying his chances when he gets them, driving play, and being more consistent on the other side of the puck, it will heighten his chances to move up. At least he shouldn’t be locked on the third line if he’s putting up points. And can somehow get the power play going.
If Michkov has a chip on his shoulder to start the season, the Flyers should be much better off for it. He needs to shut out any distractions or naysayers and enter the season with the same swagger or confidence he had in 2024-25 under John Tortorella. He shouldn’t look like he’s thinking the game each shift, and worried about making a mistake in his defensive coverage at the expense of generating offense. If that materializes, the minutes should come, and the promotion into the top six should be almost a given. Of course, Tippett and Martone might have something to say about that, but Michkov looked great most of April, once Flyers general manager Danny Briere put the season-long controversy or pseudo-rift to rest. He’ll most likely find himself with Cates to start the season, unless he has an incredible camp and impresses in the one or two exhibition games he appears in. But he needs to find that gear he had in April and most of his rookie year essentially from the opening faceoff. And avoid a lot of the east-west approach — at least in the neutral zone — that seemed to be at the root of some of his problems.
Should Michkov hit the ground running and is flying from the opening night against Pittsburgh onwards, Tocchet would be crazy to keep him with Cates on the third line. Yes, he has to earn it first. Last year’s narrative, particularly the analytics (where. five-on-five, he had a higher expected goals percentage than both Trevor Zegras and Tippett, albeit marginally), wasn’t quite as accurate as some might suggest. The eye test wasn’t great most nights, especially in the playoffs. Yet, he was performing above the disaster level some had intimated all year.
Porter Martone comes down to earth
Some odds state Porter Martone won’t just be a nominee for the Calder Trophy this coming season, but he’s one of the leading candidates to walk away with the award for rookie of the year. Martone’s arrival in Philadelphia couldn’t have been written better. He was just playing the game, looking for his chances and burying them, and driving opponents (and some officials) batty with his style of game. He couldn’t have done much more in his relatively short 19-game sample size. He went into the summer feeling pretty good about his game. At least he should have. Everyone else did.
However, perhaps Martone feels those expectations weighing on him a little bit. He might not fall flat on his face to start, but those goals and points he generated last year most likely won’t be as easy to come by this year. Teams will be scouting him a lot closer this season, and trying to take away parts of his game that made him so successful last year. He will also not have that adrenaline he had in that spurt last year, when he went from NCAA hockey to the National Hockey League in not weeks, but days. He’ll most likely have some speedbumps in the road in 2026-27. And if he does, it’s crucial that both Tocchet and Briere don’t leave him unprotected, shaking his confidence and certainly diminishing the Flyers chances at success.
Putting him on the third line to start the season might be the best option to play alongside Cates. Yet it seems unlikely that’s going to happen, at least not in the opening few weeks. If Martone looks strong starting off, he’s going to have to have some awful games in order for Tocchet to shelter him a bit more on the third line. It’s bound to happen that he hits some dry spells. When it happens, it’s equally important the coaching staff allow him to work through it down the lineup, not exposing himself against the opposition’s best night after night.
Tippett moves down (or moves elsewhere)
The most obvious solution to see Michkov on the top line would be to send Tippett off in a trade for a high-end center. It would be ridiculous to get back a winger in such a trade, and could help Philadelphia down the middle. On the other hand, keeping Tippett keeps both Martone and Michkov from being placed in the firing line if their games simultaneously go south quickly. The winger has often found himself on the top line, if not in the top six. But a move down with Cates could provide a bit more oomph offensively while giving a bit more balance top to bottom. There are only a handful of players with Tippett’s speed in the league. Far fewer of them find themselves on the third line.
The luxury of having Tippett here to start the season provides some competition for both Martone and Michkov to prove themselves. They won’t just (or shouldn’t) be awarded a top six or top line spot because there’s no other options. And having more of a veteran presence in Tippett who can essentially play anywhere with anyone is an asset. As of now, the top line right winger is Tippett hands down. At least it should be entering camp. If Michkov can prove to be rivaling both Martone and particularly Tippett in terms of production and his two-way game, it could make things very interesting regarding where these three wingers end up in the lineup.
Is Michkov capable of being a top line winger?
On the whole, nobody should be surprised if Michkov shows another side to his game while returning to 70-ish point levels this coming year. If the power play gets going, 80 points isn’t impossible. He’s going to have to prove himself, and make it almost impossible for Tocchet to ignore him, and limit his minutes. He looks to be doing the work now so that he’s not getting the rust off during October’s and November’s schedule.
As well, with him playing for a new contract, there’s that extra incentive to prove he can deliver and produce. And be worthy of a big bonanza sooner than a bridge contract that kicks that possible pot of gold or pot of rubles down the road. It’s not necessarily a make-or-break year for Michkov, but one that might suggest whether he’s much more of a top three forward versus one in the middle six.
