Michkov Quieting Doubts With Strong Start

The Philadelphia Flyers’ season got off to a historically bad start, with a franchise-record nine straight losses (0-6-3) to kick off the 2026-27 campaign. The team has turned it around since then, winning three straight, with an opportunity to make that four in a highly anticipated matinee in Philly against the Ducks on Saturday. Through all of the ups and downs to start the year, Matvei Michkov has been a consistent positive.

The 21-year-old leads the team with six goals and eight points through 12 games, and he extended his point streak to four games with an assist on Trevor Zegras’ power-play goal in Wednesday’s 3-1 win in Buffalo. That production has come with Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Tyson Foerster all missing time to injury. It took the former seventh overall pick 22 games to reach that six-goal mark during his sophomore season last year.

Along the way, Michkov scored his 50th career goal on October 17 against Ottawa in his 171st game, making him the fastest Flyer to reach the mark since Matt Read in 2014. He also logged 18:02 in Buffalo, the most among Philadelphia forwards, a notable number for a player whose ice time has been a consistent topic of conversation in the media over the last couple of years.  “His retrievals are a lot better this year,” said head coach Rick Tocchet. “If you look at his goals, they are coming off a rebound, beats his check to the net. I think that’s why he’s moving quicker this year.”

The Russian winger looks faster both with and without the puck, and the added confidence in his game is clear which can make for a world of differenc in a young player’s game. Michkov has also found chemistry with Porter Martone, the team’s 19-year-old rookie. Martone told Kevin Kurz of The Athletic that the two have grown closer away from the rink:

“Honestly, this past couple weeks I think we’ve gotten a lot closer. I think for him, English isn’t his first language, so I think for me to go out of my way and start those conversations — ask him about his family, ask him about his brother. I think that just builds chemistry on the ice. He’s been awesome this year. Definitely speaking more English, being more vocal in the room. It’s awesome to see. For us, we’re 19 and 21 in this league. We’ve got a long ways to go. I think we can be a good duo in this league for a long time.”

Michkov, who led all NHL rookies in goal scoring in 2024-25, said he remembers the weight of that first season and has made a point of supporting Martone through it:

“I remember my first year when I play every game so hard and you know media, media, media, Calder Trophy. So hard for him, and he needs support. I support him every time, for ice and for life too.”

Much of the change is showing up off the ice as well. Michkov arrived at camp visibly in better shape after skipping his summer vacation to train, and he has been conducting his interviews in English. He also jumped into the team photo celebrating Cole Knuble’s first NHL goal during Knuble’s two-goal night in Buffalo. Albeit a small thing, but one that has been seldom seen from Michkov over the past couple of years.

The timing matters for Michkov beyond the standings. He is in the final year of his entry-level contract, which carries a $950K cap hit, and is slated for restricted free agency next summer. If the first 12 games are any indication, the version of Michkov the Flyers expected when they drafted him is starting to show, and he’ll have the rest of the season to help right the ship for the Flyers and get them back into the postseason.