Originally published July 10, 2024
The news in June of Matvei Michkov heading to Philadelphia two years ahead of schedule brought a sense of joy not found since just over a year ago when general manager Danny Briere had the stones to draft him. News of his official signing on July 1 was the biggest news (outside of Hathaway’s extension) the Flyers of that day. It doesn’t make the Flyers a Stanley Cup contender come October by any stretch, but it does make the consternation of “will he” or “can he” end up playing for the Flyers at some point in the rearview mirror. It is happening.
Here then are 39 reasons (an appropriate number, of course) why Matvei Michkov coming over is a very good thing for the Flayers, er, Flyers.
1. The Flyers have a 19-year-old, franchise-altering forward on their roster, someone DobberProspects deemed “a generational goal scoring talent.” The last time the Flyers had someone so young and talented was June 30, 1992 when Eric Lindros was deemed property of the Flyers and not the New York Rangers after Lindros refused to sign with the Quebec Nordiques.
2. The Flyers notoriously have been terrible in shootouts, often losing a handful of points each season for the simple fact that can’t score. With such a talented young player in Michkov at their disposal, it’s conceivable the Flyers could end up faring at a .500 winning percentage (or better) if 65 minutes of play has not determined a winner and loser.
3. Having Michkov here now will more than likely allow some of the other players in the pipeline a bit more time (and space) to develop. This will be Michkov’s spotlight at least for this season and possibly beyond. All of a sudden Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey don’t quite have the glare or external pressure to be forced into a situation where they aren’t quite ready. Not that Briere would do that, but having a possible phenom here now is massive.
4. Matvei Michkov and Flyers coach John Tortorella will have plenty of time to get to know and love (and possibly loathe) each other with Michkov’s entry-level deal for three years and Tortorella now most likely going to have a full two seasons with Michkov under his guidance. I’m not sure what the Russian phrase for “bag skate” is but I’m sure Michkov will be well informed of it when training camp begins in September.
5. The “Mad Russian” also takes some pressure off the younger guys who are on the team now. Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink and particularly Morgan Frost should relish the fact they will most likely not be the forwards who everybody and their dog overanalyze on a game-by-game or period-by-period basis.
6. The Flyers power play was of nearly historically horrid levels last season. It was the worst in their franchise history at 12.2 per cent and dead last in the league. Michkov’s arrival won’t fully resolve that glaring issue but it’ll help. A power play that could hum at an Oilers level percentage (or a percentage close to his jersey number) would be insane to even fathom next season. But one that clicks at 16 to 17 per cent success rate next season thanks to Michkov would bring the team a whole lot closer to securing a playoff birth.
7. If the Flyers didn’t make headway with their deft handling of various situations the last few seasons with Russian players and the KHL then Michkov’s addition should erase all doubts. From the way the poker-face Briere and company handled the Fedotov odyssey that eventually saw him with the Flyers at year’s end to the addition of Alexei Kolosov to North American shores, it’s evident they can roll with the punches. And no leaks! This could end up being a huge advantage in terms of future Russian draft prospects knowing the Flyers’ brass can and will keep quiet for as long as possible and play nice in the sandbox with KHL and Russian hockey officials.
8. As nifty and as memorable as Owen Tippett’s highlight reel was this past season (the hellacious end-to-end speed against Montreal and the grin-inducing spinorama goal over Dallas), Michkov should have a few highlights of his own that could make Tippett’s pale by comparsion. Just as long as his first goal isn’t a Michigan, right? Maybe call it a Michigankov if he does.
9. The Flyers scored 231 goals last season which was the sixth lowest total in the league. It’s conceivable Michkov could increase that goal output to leave the Flyers somewhere in the middle of the pack which would be a vast improvement over last season. Of course if the lineup is altered through a trade or two this summer that could also create more production.
10. Matvei Michkov might not hit the ground running. He could face problems with the challenges of an 82-game schedule and the rigors of travel, practice and being in the spotlight. It’s preferable to have him face these challenges now versus being 22 and having to deal with all the extras that come with the National Hockey League. Regardless of his age, he would have to at some point find his way through a full NHL season. So why not now? And in terms of the bigger picture, Michkov dealt with the loss of his father in the months leading up to the 2023 NHL Draft. If he can cope with such a devastating event like that, then three games in four nights on a Western swing in the dead of winter may seem like a walk in the park.
11. Gritty is bound to come up with Russian phrases for Michkov while Michkov will hone his English on the Flyers mascot. Let the hilarity begin.
12. The addition of Michkov will certainly give the Flyers a much larger media spotlight in NHL circles than they’ve had in the past decade and will more than likely result in a bigger national spotlight for US (and Canadian) broadcasts this coming season. Not to mention just how many Michkov jerseys and tie-ins will fly off the virtual (and actual) racks the next few months in terms of Flyers merchandise. Cha-ching to the extreme!
13. Michkov’s scoring prowess has been well documented, including outscoring the likes of Nikita Kucherov in comparable seasons when Michkov was 16 years old while playing against 20 year olds for most of that season. This should ease fears that his size and weight can’t handle bigger, older competition.
14. Although he didn’t make any apperance at Sphere in Vegas for the NHL Draft (thank you Michael Buffer), Michkov already has made an impression for some people with a July 1 typo on his Instagram account that other people picked up on.
15. Michkov should be an early season or pre-season contender in terms of the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year. Given how he’s out of Bedard’s shadow slightly with Bedard into his sophmore season, the comparisons between the two should give Michkov even more fuel to prove any doubters wrong.
16. The Michkov Counter Twitter account stood at 740 days (days until his KHL contract expired) on June 22. This news certainly changed the plans for that account going forward.
17. Having Michkov here enables the Flyers to see what parts they might have that can work with him this coming season, what they have that could work with him in a few seasons and what they need to ensure they maximize Michkov’s output for what is hopefully a lengthy, productive stay. It’s crucial to make sound logical decisions and not take any shortcuts to achieve what they set out to do in hiring Briere in the first place.
18. Cliff Fletcher will not have a chance to screw this player’s career. At least we hope not.
19. With the Flyers having rights to handful of Russians and Ivan Fedotov seemingly going to be the backup to Sam Ersson, it’s not like Matvei Michkov will be the lone Russian on the Flyers roster. Having Fedotov helping Michkov adjust to North America both on and off the ice should be a bonus. It’s not like Fedotov has years of experience in the U.S. but the fact there’ll be another countryman he can chat with is another positive.
20. Michkov coming over at age 19 might have some naysayers in Flyers nation pissed off that his entry-level contract (ELC) will be done by the time he’s 22. Given the geo-political situation nothing is guaranteed, so having a chance to get Michkov over earlier means he’s here longer. It might mean he’s going to command a high cap hit earlier in his career. Yet somehow I think Comcast can manage that contract when it comes. Those problems though are much easier to deal with knowing he’s here. Having a cornerstone to build around is much better than attempting to build a house and then putting a cornerstone in two or three years later.
21. If the Flyers’ sales team were having any issues in terms of season ticket renewals, suite rentals or a general malaise in the rather slow summer months, having a bonafide talent set to play ideally 41 or more home games this season should fix that.
22. Having another young forward in the lineup is almost guaranteed to make the team’s average age drop a little lower, making them one of the youngest teams in the NHL. Of course Erik Johnson’s one-year contract will offset that youthful average.
23. The Russian’s dream was to play for the Flyers, stating that fact plainly after being drafted by the Flyers in 2023. Unlike some prospects who are happy to be selected by whatever club wants them, knowing Michkov’s desire to play in Philadelphia is now a reality is definitely a feel good story after a trying, traumatic last 15 months for him.
24. The Flyers should now have an ace up their sleeve when it comes to luring possible Unrestricted Free Agents when the time is ripe for them to seek out help for the forward and his teammates. Briere said previously July 1 looked like a rather dormant day for the Flyers in terms of signings and he was correct. However he will be forgiven for any idleness knowing what he has added with this news.
25. No words needed for this one.
26. Judging by video clips of his goals and playmaking, it appears the Flyers aren’t getting a shrinking violet in terms of emotion and wearing his heart on his sleeve. There seems to be a passion Michkov possesses that will serve him quite well at Wells Fargo Center. His moxie or confidence is something the team hasn’t had in a long, long time during some lean, talent-lacking seasons. It should endear him to fans from the start.
27. “I think my biggest wish and biggest expectation is I want to come to Philadelphia and I want to help them win a Stanley Cup. I know they’ve been waiting a long time for one and that’s my goal. That’s why I’m coming.” — Matvei Michkov (via translator) during his NHL draft presser last year.
28. This might be the first time in ages that the Flyers pre-season schedule will be sold out given one of the six slated will be Michkov’s first game with the team and how this addition should energize (and possibly enlarge) the fan base. Who knew a Sunday afternoon opening exhibition game in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 22 could be overrun by Flyers fans? Michkov’s first home game could be Sept. 26 against the Islanders.
29. While John F. Kennedy uttered the phrase “a rising tide lifts all boats” in 1963 when the U.S. and Russia were in the midst of the Cold War it can also be used to describe what Michkov’s presence should do for the Flyers talent-wise. He should make everyone around him better because he could arguably be the best Flyers player for the foreseeable future. Not only will his linemates be positively impacted by this but the forward depth suddenly got a heck of a lot deeper.
30. If Michkov opts for No. 39 as his jersey number with Philadelphia he’ll be the ninth Flyers player to wear it. The previous eight in no particular order are: Mark Alt, Dave Fenyves, Ross Fitzpatrick, Jeff Lank, Oliver, Lauridsen, Robbie Moore, Marty Murray, Mike Murray and Nate Prosser. Wait, that’s alphabetical order isn’t it?
31. When the Flyers drafted Jett Luchanko with their first round pick, Luchanko knew for sure he’ll have Michkov waiting for him when he finally gets to the NHL. It’s also doubtful Luchanko will avoid Briere and the front office like the plague two years from now and opt to showcase his talents on the West Coast.
32. In two years the team has gone from a laughing stock of sorts for being unable to trade James van Riemsdyk at the deadline to now having a promising, foreseeable grade A talent and a clear direction for the future.
33. Having Michkov arrive in the summer before the season begins is almost ideal. It’ll give him time to get the basics done whether it’s finding a place to live, getting to know his teammates and coach a bit better and finding his way around town. Had he played this season in the KHL and then left at the end of this coming KHL season it would still be a huge get but probably placing way too much pressure on Michkov coming in cold and with the Flyers possibly in the playoff hunt.
34. Again, no words really needed here (although it’s only 100 seconds of goals).
35. The Metropolitan Division looks like it should be another very tough one next season with New Jersey looking like they could be back in playoff contention alongside the Rangers and Carolina. And Washington stocking up on July 1 with additions only added more foes to the mix. Bringing Michkov over should give the Flyers a decent shot at playing meaningful games throughout the year for the second consecutive season.
36. It’s almost impossible for this news to be spun negatively which is a rarity today. People will try of course but it would be an exercise in straw grasping beyond reason.
37. Philadelphia played a high-tempo, forechecking system that seemed to bring out the best in the team during the 2023-24 season. Their scoring off the rush and particularly how they picked apart teams for shorthanded goals was attention worthy. Bringing in a playmaker with the qualities Michkov has should only create more scoring chances off the rush and if he’s placed on the first or second penalty killing unit should cause more havoc for the opposition.
38. Fans don’t have to speculate anymore from Instagram photos if Michkov is in North America, Russia, Turkey or beyond. Nor do they have to play detective and find hidden meanings if Michkov is wearing a Flyers t-shirt, a Russian t-shirt or no t-shirt at all.
39. A franchise that’s gone almost half a century since it’s last Cup win now has a player who could conceivably help get them to that point. For the first time in a long time, the at times jaded Flyers fan base has a reason to smile for a while. Hope has arrived in a big way.
