Finally, months after watching the Washington Capitals pot an empty net goal to clinch the last Eastern Conference playoff spot, the Philadelphia Flyers will play games this month. They are meaningless in the standings, but thanks to Matvei Michkov, the games will be must watch TV (or streaming). Here then is a breakdown of what games the Flyers have this coming month and what you can expect from most of these contests:
Rangers vs. Flyers (Rookie Series Game 1) Friday Sept. 13, 7:05 p.m., PPL Center
The Flyers rookies will square off against the Rangers rookies in a two-game Rookie Series beginning Sept. 13 at the PPL Center in Allentown. It’s too early to say for sure Michkov will be in one or both games but it’s highly likely that his first game as a member of the Flyers won’t be at Wells Fargo Center but a roughly 75-minute drive north of Philadelphia. Does he play one or both? My guess is he will play Friday evening for sure.
The Rookie Series should also see a batch of promising Flyers prospects and recent draft picks trying to showcase their skills. Last year’s Rookie Camp roster featured Bobby Brink, Denver Barkey, Tyson Foerster, Oliver Bonk, Emil Andrae and Helge Grans among others. This year’s camp is most likely set to include Jett Luchenko, the Flyers top draft pick this past June along with other prospects the Flyers recently drafted.
Flyers vs. Rangers (Rookie Series Game 2) Saturday, Sept. 14, 5:05 p.m., PPL Center
The second of the back-to-back takes place Saturday less than 24 hours after the first game’s puck drop. With the possible exception of a few players (Michkov leading the list) who could play both games one should expect a different lineup for the second game. The Rangers would also most likely put together a different lineup but it’s possible the Rangers’ 2024 top draft pick EJ Emery could be in the lineup.
Perhaps the biggest question going into the Rookie Series aside from Michkov would be whether Ivan Fedotov makes an appearance in one of these contests. Fedotov will be the oldest rookie when the NHLPA/Upper Deck Rookie Showcase takes place in Virginia in early September. So while still deemed a rookie it’s conceivable he sees a period or two of action over this weekend. Look for a little more animosity in this late afternoon affair after whatever might transpire in the opening tilt.
Flyers vs. Capitals, Sunday, Sept. 22 3:05 p.m., Capital One Arena
After the traditional, vomit-inducing John Tortorella bag skate which starts off training camp, the Flyers will have some practice time before playing their first preseason game against the Capitals in Washington on Sept. 22 (at 3:00 p.m. ET). This could be the first “Matvei vs. Ovi” contest should both players be dressed for the contest. Whether Michkov shows some flash and dash against his Russian opponent or is in awe of him before getting down to work remains to be seen. It’s a good bet that there will be a handful of Flyers you’ll recognize from last season. But there’ll be a larger crop of players who are trying to give a good impression to delay being cut or make it difficult for the Flyers to send them packing back to junior, overseas or to Lehigh Valley. Regardless, it will be nice to see the team playing their first proper preseason game.
Flyers vs. Canadiens, Monday, Sept. 23, 7:00 p.m., Bell Centre
Maybe it’s the fact the Flyers beat the Canadiens in the playoff bubble in 2020. Maybe it’s because the Flyers had Matvei Michkov fall into their lap in 2023 whereas the Canadiens had the option and decided not to. Regardless, some of the Habs fanbase have been in an unhealthy tizzy the last few months since Michkov announced his arrival earlier to the NHL and will be wearing the Orange and Black, not bleu, blanc et rouge. So expect this game to have some hype around it even if it is the second preseason game.
The Canadiens, who railroaded the Flyers 9-3 last season and effectively killed the Flyers’ then faint playoff hopes, will have Cole Caufield and others in the lineup. Ivan Demidov, the new Montreal darling who is far, far better in some unhinged circles than the unskilled overhyped Michkov who couldn’t hold a candle to Demidov. Should Michkov play it’ll mark his NHL contest in Canada which is sure to be a little bit of a media circus.
Islanders vs. Flyers, Thursday, Sept. 26, 7:00 p.m., Wells Fargo Center
With a few games under their belts and most likely a sizeable chunk of the training camp roster (at least those not sure locks for the regular season) having made John Tortorella smile or ran, the Flyers will carry on with a home game against the Islanders. It’ll mark the first time the Flyers play at Wells Fargo Center and most likely the first time Michkov will take to the Wells Fargo Center ice before Flyers fans. This is a must-watch game, putting an end to a 15-month wait (although still 24 months earlier than thought) for Michkov playing a home game.
The Islanders have looked like the slow, plodding Islanders for seemingly a decade and with very little roster changes (aside from Anthony Duclair’s addition), look for another season of football on ice from the Isles. The one aspect that might be interesting is if any Flyers prospects try to make a name for themselves with a big hit, a fight or something noteworthy to keep their already slim roster chances alive.
Bruins vs. Flyers, Saturday, Sept. 28, 7:00 p.m., Well Fargo Center
By this time of the preseason there’s usually some cuts or reductions in the roster lineup, not quite eliminating those on the fence in terms of making the team but those who the Flyers know aren’t ready for the big club. The fourth preseason game is another game at Wells Fargo Center and another chance for some to make a statement with both Tortorella and general manager Danny Briere.
The Bruins last season had one of the better tandems in goal but what a difference a season makes. The Bruins broke up the tandem, sending Linus Ullmark to Ottawa, leaving Jeremy Swayman as the guy moving forward. But a rather contentious contract dispute between Swayman (who is looking for north of $10 million AAV) and the Bruins could play out well into training camp. Look for a few more regulars in both lineups as the preseason gets roughly to the halfway mark.
Flyers vs. Islanders, Monday, Sept. 30, 7:00 p.m., UBS Arena
The last of the seven September games conclude with this away game against the Islanders, acting as home-and-home bookends with the Bruins game in the middle. By now if the waters are quite smooth between Tortorella and Michkov then it’s either a good sign or a timebomb waiting to hit Frost-ian proportions. The Flyers should hopefully be seeing positive signs from both Sam Ersson and Ivan Fedotov and by this point the Flyers should have a better grasp on what is happening (or not happening) with Alexei Kolosov on this side of the Atlantic.
Hopefully by this time the Flyers might have some semblance of a power play mindset or effectiveness that could make 2023-24 a sad distant memory. I mean it can’t get worse can it? Wait, don’t answer that. Anyway look for the game to be a bit more competitive as the rust has by now worn off some of the players and the defensemen, particularly Rasmus Ristolainen and Jamie Drysdale, look like they might be okay for the long haul.
Bigger picture for September
Looking at last season the Flyers’ reduced their training camp roster on Sept. 29 from 51 players down to 44, so it’s probably a safe bet that a few games into the 2024-25 preseason the Flyers will do the same thing, slowly but steadily reassigning players to their junior teams, back to Europe or to Lehigh Valley in the American Hockey League. More cuts will be made in October and closer to the season opener until the Flyers are down to their proper roster size.
Most of these preseason games shouldn’t have a lot of physicality to them, although for some opponents and guys on the line between being cut and staying wanting to prove something is a possibility. And very little should be culled from these games unless a rookie or newcomer not named Michkov consistently dazzles to the point it’s impossible for them to cut.
Of course none of these games count in the regular standings and they mean nothing whether the team goes winless in all their contests or unbeaten in all their contests. If you are bragging about preseason results you should seek counseling or get fresh air. It’s about seeing who makes the cut, who is a surprise and who is a disappointment, who needs a lot of work and above all else getting through the Rookie Series and these preseason tilts healthy.
After a rather nutty soap opera-esque summer with material breaches, disputes over where some players want to play and buyouts, it will be good to see the Flyers on the ice doing hockey things.
