Philadelphia Flyers 2025 Top 25 Under 25, No. 1: Matvei Michkov

Welcome to Broad Street Hockey’s Summer 2025 Top Under 25! The series is back, and with the Philadelphia Flyers focusing so much on the future, it’s more important than ever. Join us as we rank the 25 best players under the age of 25.

No. 1: Matvei Michkov

2024-25 Primary League/Team: Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
2024-25 Statistics: 26 G, 37 A in 80 GP
Age as of 9/15/2025: 20 (12/9/2004)
Acquired Via: 2023 NHL Entry Draft — Round 1, Pick 7

Only three things in life are certain — death, taxes, and Matvei Michkov earning the top spot on Broad Street Hockey’s Top 25 Under 25 ranking.

Michkov was a shoe-in to regularly top the list from the moment the Flyers selected him seventh overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and for good reason. He possesses skill unseen in the Flyers organization since perhaps the days of Eric Lindros, and as the club moves onward into its “New Era of Orange,” he is already emerging as the undisputed face of the franchise.

How did Michkov’s 2024-25 season go? Is his stock trending up or down from where it was entering the year?

Michkov had a lot on his plate going into his rookie campaign. Not only was he joining a new team in a new league that plays on a sheet of ice with different dimensions than what he was used to, but he was also coming to a completely different country that speaks a completely different language. The life transition Michkov made as a 19-year-old was enormous, and it would’ve been completely understandable for him to struggle as a first-year NHLer.

But he didn’t. Instead, he was nothing short of sensational.

Michkov logged 63 points last season, tying San Jose Sharks youngster Macklin Celebrini for the league lead in points scored by a rookie. He not only led all NHL rookies in goals with 26, but he also led the Flyers in that category, besting the likes of Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett in the process. He was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise miserable Flyers power play, posting 17 power-play points on the campaign to lead the team alongside Konecny, and he was just as effective with both teams at full strength, logging 40 points at 5-on-5 on the season. On most nights, Michkov stood out every time he stepped onto the ice. Whether it was due to his impressive puck skills, his laser of a shot, or his superhuman vision, he was nearly impossible to miss on any given shift.

That’s not to say he didn’t have some rough stretches, though. Michkov suffered multiple moderately sized scoring droughts throughout the season and was even scratched for a couple of games. But more often than not, when Michkov was on the ice, he made a significant impact.

What are we expecting from Michkov this season? What should we be looking for from him?

Despite bewilderingly not being named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, Michkov was one of the best rookies in the entire NHL last season. And going into the 2025-26 campaign, fans should expect to see a smarter, stronger, more confident version of Michkov.

And that’s scary (for opposing teams, that is).

Fans have already gotten a glimpse of Year 2 Michkov this preseason, and he didn’t disappoint. In the Flyers’ preseason opener against the New York Islanders on Sunday, he tied the game off a rebound late in the third period with the goalie pulled to force overtime. Later on in the shootout, he deked Parker Gahagen out of his skates to add yet another nasty dangle to his highlight reel.

Matvei Michkov shootout goals are still a joy to watch 🤩 pic.twitter.com/D0ZR8JS9JO
— NHL (@NHL) September 22, 2025

Michkov is expected to continue skating on the Flyers’ top line this season, and with a full year of NHL experience now under his belt, he’ll likely see a considerable uptick in ice time. He’s still very young, so it would be reasonable for fans to temper expectations going into his second season. But given his immense talent, paired with increased usage, it wouldn’t be even remotely surprising to see him surpass his rookie scoring total with relative ease.

How does Michkov fit in the Flyers’ rebuild? Is it likely he’s going to be a part of the next good Flyers team?

To put it simply, Michkov basically is the Flyers’ rebuild. Sure, Travis Konecny is already an established franchise favorite, and Porter Martone also figures to be a longtime cornerstone once he makes the leap to the NHL, but the Flyers’ rebuild virtually began with the addition of Michkov in 2023. He is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Flyers’ future, and when the club is eventually ready to start competing for a Stanley Cup again, it will likely be him making the biggest plays in the biggest games.

What do we think Michkov’s ultimate NHL upside is, and how likely is it that he gets to something approaching that?

Michkov is already one of the most electrifying young players in hockey, and it’s possible that he could one day develop into one of the top players in the world. He’s that good.

Michkov’s skill alone is enough to make him a household name, but what makes him truly special is his approach to the game. He is supremely competitive and possesses an unwavering desire to win. Not just fill the back of the net with rubber (although he clearly loves scoring goals, too). But even if he doesn’t reach a meteoric level of stardom, he is already on pace to develop into a no-doubt-about-it top-line winger capable of scoring 30 goals on a yearly basis.

And that’s just his likely floor.

Without question, Michkov has the potential to be a bona fide superstar, and he’s already well on his way to achieving that status.

Previously in Philadelphia Flyers Summer 2025 Top 25 Under 25:

Talking Points