Flyers GM: Matvei Michkov Has To 'Earn' Larger Role

Matvei Michkov‘s sophomore season hasn’t gotten off to the start he or the Philadelphia Flyers were hoping for. After popping for 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) as a rookie, expectations were high for the Russian winger to continue his ascent.

Through the first 32 games, that hasn’t exactly been the case, as Michkov has recorded just 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) while seeing his ice time drop by two full minutes, down to 14:41 per game.

The 2023 first-round pick (seventh overall) certainly hasn’t had it easy, going from John Tortorella to Rick Tocchet as his first two head coaches in Philadelphia. That said, taking four months off from hockey this offseason certainly didn’t help his cause, and it’s shown on the ice at times.

With Michkov at the center of conversation around the Flyers, team reporter Charlie O’Connor recently spoke with general manager Daniel Briere about the young star’s development and what he needs to do to earn more opportunities.

Briere said:

“Well, you’ve got to earn it. It’s like money in the bank, and I think Torts talked about that last year, Rick Tocchet and John Tortorella, they’re not coaching one player. They have a full team to coach… What does he have to do? I think this offseason will be a crucial one for Matvei. But I really believe he’s learned a lot, and I’m confident that he’ll just keep getting better and better,”

The 21-year-old is in the second season of his three-year, $2.85 million entry-level contract signed with the Flyers in 2024.

Flyers In a Tough Spot With Matvei Michkov

While you have to think it would make more sense to let Michkov off the leash and learn through experiencing all of the different scenarios that come with being a top player, it’s not that simple for Philadelphia.