Following an 8-1 loss to Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov‘s old SKA St. Petersburg, HC Sochi has officially been eliminated from KHL playoff contention.
In the 8-1 loss, Michkov squared off with former teammates, like New Jersey Devils prospects Zakhar Bardakov and Arseni Gritsyuk. Former Flyers forward Mikhail Vorobyov registered two assists, while Sergei Tolchinsky, Marat Khairullin, and longtime NHLer Alex Galchenyuk each scored two goals.
With Sochi eliminated from playoff contention, Michkov’s season will end in two weeks. Sochi has six games remaining on their schedule, including two against Kunlun Red Star and two against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Sochi’s last game will be on Feb. 25 against Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.
As we know, Michkov’s contract in the KHL runs until 2026, so it’s highly unlikely the Flyers see their star prospect on North American soil after the conclusion of the 2023-24 KHL season.
Michkov does, however, have the most productive D+1 season in KHL history, having scored 37 points in 42 games played. Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen previously had the most productive D+1 season, set back in 2017-18, when he scored 36 points in 49 games with Jokerit. Jokerit is no longer even part of the KHL and now competes in Finland’s Mestis.
For those looking to see some Flyers prospects in KHL playoff action, Dinamo Minsk goaltender Alexei Kolosov might be able to scratch that itch. Dinamo is currently the eighth seed in the West, leading ninth-place Red Star by 13 points. Barring an unforeseen collapse on behalf of Minsk, Kolosov will give the Flyers’ brass some postseason hockey to watch before they have some postseason hockey of their own.
Kolosov, 22, is 19-19-0 this season with a 2.39 GAA and a .907 save percentage. He also has four shutouts this season after recording two total in his previous three KHL seasons.
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