The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety fined Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov for his high-sticking infraction against Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield Sunday night.
Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov has been fined $2,473.96, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for high-sticking Los Angeles’ Quinton Byfield.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 30, 2024
The fine is the stiffest allowed under the collective bargaining agreement and will set Michkov back $2,473.96.
Philly's Matvei Michkov has been fined $2.473/96, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for high-sticking LA's Quinton Byfield.#GrittyBot #LetsGoFlyers #GoKingsGo#FTPH pic.twitter.com/RBGrszXrDa
— Freeze the Puck Hockey (@FTPH_) December 30, 2024
The play took place with just under nine minutes left in the third period. Both Byfield and Michkov received minor penalties on the play, with Michkov’s one-handed stick swing clipping Byfield on the helmet. Byfield was assessed an elbowing penalty on the same play. Neither player was injured. The fine however might come back to bite Michkov however down the road as it does go on his record should be be involved with a questionable hit or highstick. Essentially he’s used his mulligan but given the erratic suspensions and fines levied by the Department of Player Safety nothing is out of the realm of possibility.
And without getting too much into sour grapes, Michkov has been on the receiving end of some questionable non-calls. Here’s hoping the league will look at future incidents against The Mad Russian as closely as they did this incident Sunday night. Michkov wasn’t the first Flyer fined this year as Garnet Hathaway was dinged $5,000 for elbowing Minnesota Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek in the Flyers’ 7-5 win in late October.
Aside from the penalty, Michkov broke a point drought of sorts by scoring a goal and getting an assist as the Flyers lost 5-4 to Los Angeles. Michkov should be pumped up tomorrow night when the Flyers face Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks in San Jose. Michkov hit Celebrini late in the game and was given a minor penalty but the Flyers killed it off.
