Photo Credit: Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News

250 – Noah Cates Is The Most Underrated Player In The NHL

The Philadelphia Flyers are on a roll once again. Where December proved to be a detrimental month for the Orange and Black, the New year has been far more advantageous for them. And with four wins and one overtime loss in their last five games, the Flyers have crawled back in relevance among the eastern conference’s wild card competitors. Noah Cates has been monumental over the past couple of months for the team, with 14 points in his last 16 games, while also playing against the oppositions top players. He might be a more under the radar talent for the NHL fanbase, but that might not stay if he continues his performance till the end of the season. He was able to do something similar in his rookie season, but has had injuries slow him down since then. However, now that he is fully healthy again the league has a chance to see what he can do. The question is, what is his ceiling? Is he really just a good bottom six player in the league or can he eventually make a similar mark to the great two-way players of the past such as Mike Richards, Michal Handzus, Keith Primeau, and Sean Couturier as he hits near a point per-game pace for the first time in his young NHL career. He also seems like a player who could develop like a fine wine and really hit his stride as he approaches he approaches 30. We think he is the most underrated playing in the NHL.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili through the Flyers turnaround and winning ways as they approach relevancy of late. With big games from Noah Cates, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Sam Ersson they are now having new guys step up which is allowing stars like Matvei Michkov, Travis Sanheim, and Travis Konecny an opportunity to not overextend themselves on a nightly basis. Check out this week’s episode for a full talent analysis of the Flyers roster in January of 2025.

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248 – Flyers Uneven at Mid-Season

The Philadelphia Flyers have been up and down all season long. Now as we reached the second half of the season, nothing has changed. What works during one month has not worked during another and the inconsistency of the goaltending has exacerbated that problem. The team right now has some bright spots offensively and even on the back-end, but none of it has managed to sustain a consistent effort to get them out of mediocrity. A perfect example of that trend is the recent home-and-home games against the Maple Leafs. It’s arguable that the Flyers were the better of the teams in both games, but inconsistency in net lead them to only walk away with 1 point out of a possible 4. Unfortunately, that has been a sign of the times and where the team currently stands. The most inconsistent part of their game has been goaltending which has been a roller coaster since Carter Hart left the team. If they are to find their way out of this mess it probably needs to start in net.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through all of the trials and tribulations of the 2024-25 NHL season and how the team has responded to the up and down nature of their game. Will they look to the offseason to improve the team or can GM, Danny Briere, improve the team during the season. It’s probably in their plan to be overly patient, but we’ll see if the fanbase can hang along with the.

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Photo Credit: Heather Cattai/Heather Barry Images, LLC

246 – Is It Too Early For The Flyers To Sell?

The Philadelphia Flyers are currently spiraling, with just three wins in their last 10 games and Matvei Michkov going five games without a point is not helping. Suddenly, it seems as if all of the excitement seems to have left the room. The once excellent penalty kill has recently hit rock bottom and all of the improvement on the power play has slowly diminished. Now the Flyers currently aren’t doing much well as a team, outside of some individual stand outs, with the defense and goaltending of the team suffering over a three week stretch. The questions of where the team stands going into the new year and what they should do with their roster moving forward are coming to light. Even though the team is still in the wild card race, it’s important to mention that both Briere and Jones have both re-iterated that they still plan on continuing with their trend of selling at the trade dealing, but will we see that come earlier this year with the teams inconsistent play?

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through all of the teams recent troubles and what got them to the point of even considering removing players from the roster as they were on their way up just a few weeks ago. Can the Flyers turn things around before it is too late for this group to by themselves time for the looming trade deadline?

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Photo Credit: Heather Cattai/Heather Barry Images, LLC

244 – Michkov’s Intensity Is Kobe-Like

Matvei Michkov’s intensity on the ice is palpable. Of late, he has been physically engaged every night and not allowing anyone to take easy shots at the him. He has definitely been the target of his opponents as he does not shy away from showing his attitude on the ice while also displaying confidence in his ability to put up points. Currently, Michkov is right below the point a game mark as he sits with 25 points in 26 regular season games. He has not only been producing of late with 8 points in 4 games, but he has also looked more confident, displaying that superstar swagger in the process. Just the other night Michkov was thrown out of the game at the end of a loss to the Utah Hockey Club for roughing, but did it with style as he stopped on his way out to take the time to give a young Flyers fan a signature on his way out.

While there was criticism of Michkovs personality in his draft year, there are similarities to other great athletes of the generations that made a big impact on their sport, such as Kobe Bryant, who not only played with severe intensity at all times on the basketball court but also carried a cocky attitude that said “I’m the best”. It’s difficult to be an athlete that displays this type of personality. You have to not just have the attitude, but you have to back it up with an elite game to compliment. Michkov has done that in stride in his first season in the league as he continues his rise to stardom. He is currently doing things that only a handful of great hockey players have been able to do in the modern era and speeding up in the process as the season moves along. It’s important to notice what is happening with Michkov as his star shines brighter and brighter as the season goes on. It’s like he was meant to be this way, it’s like he was born to be a star.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through all of the ups and downs of the Flyers’ month of December as they have let their lack of discipline ruin their chances at some crucial points in the standings. If it isn’t the penalties, it has been ill-timed goals that have lead them lose games they had in their sites to win. They need to clean up their game on the ice soon or they will find themselves behind the eightball again, forced to go on another run to keep themselves in a chance at a playoff spot.

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Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

242 – Could The Flyers Be Looking To Make A Trade?

There have been rumors swirling around about the Flyers potential interest in the young defenseman out of Columbus, David Jiricek. The Flyers did have interest in drafting Jiricek in the 2022 NHL Entry draft, but opted to go for, the now traded, Cutter Gauthier…aka Little Willie G. While there are fans online feening for the trade, I would argue that is not only unnecessary, but a mistake to go for a player who has failed to make his way onto the Blue Jackets and has good, but not great productivity at the AHL level. The Flyers already have a plethora of defenseman at the NHL level at a young age. The Blue Jackets would most likely be looking for a comparable prospect or a lesser prospect and a 1st round pick in return for Jiricek. However, this is one of the Flyers biggest leverages the team holds heading into the 2024-25 offseason, trade deadline, and beyond. If they’re going to make an investment, it must be for a player that will for sure fire bet that is also a game-changer on the ice. I think it’s best for the Flyers to save their key assets to make the move that could elevate the franchise. To get that piece that everyone around the league takes notice and says “uh oh, that’s going to make them tougher to play against”. I’m not soldon investing in a player that they hope that can be developed into more than what he currently projects to be. It’s arguable that the Flyers might have enough of those guys and enough projects in the works to make a good team, they need to invest in finding greatness. Ideally in the form of a top line center.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv goes through each player in the lineup and where they stand with the organization as well as why trade rumors would pop-up recently. The Flyers have had an up and down season so far, but can they turn things around and make the playoffs for the first time since Tortorella took over as head coach?

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Photo Credit: Richard T Gagnon/GettyImages

239 – Matvei Michkov Benched

Audio Version: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/239-matvei-michkov-benched–62647268

The Philadelphia Flyers are in a tailspin on their way down to the very bottom of the NHL standings. The Flyers have had a slew of different problems over the past thirteen games of the NHL season and while there are positives to talk about, everything has been overshadowed by the team’s inability to win games and to push the pace offensively. The Flyers have had an inability to generate much offense of late, even when they have scored they have rarely surpassed the 30 shot mark, something they were able to do consistently last season. While they have had a slew of tough competition to start the season, they have not looked as competitive as they did against the tougher opponents in 2023-24.

These struggles has left coach Tortorella trying to push all kinds of levers trying to get the most out of his struggling squad. Even going as far as benching Matvei Michkov during games while also trying to score. It’s important to remember that the Flyers are still one of the youngest teams in the league and still in rebuild mode. While we expected some ups and downs we at least expected a similar efficiency to the previous season. Will the coaching staff be able to get the teams offense going on a consistent basis or are the Flyers doomed to continue to spiral? As of publishing this article Tortorella has announced that he is scratching Michkov and bringing in Anthony Richard from the minors. While there is some evidence to warrant a scratching a 19 year old, something he has done in the past with other players, it’s hard to justify when he is second on the team in points. This should only be temporary, but the coaching staff better hope it works, because it’s not looking optimistic on the surface level when the power play has helped the team stay above water.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through the Flyers recent struggles and the levers that the coaching staff is trying to pull to take the team out of their current spiral and into some kind of winning pattern. If the Flyers are going to rely on their special teams to win games, they will not be able to sustain any kind of momentum to pull themselves out of this whole.

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238 – Magic Michkov & The Flyers Not Playing In Fives

The Flyers have been struggling mightily this season. It’s not that there are no positives to take from the early going of this NHL season, but the disappointment in the Flyers five on five play has been quite prevalent by the numbers and the eye test. The games just haven’t been as interesting from shift to shift as the team has lacked any kind of consistent offensive attack and have been prone to big mistakes that lead to one, two and, sometimes three goals in quick succession that has the team consistently fighting to come back from behind. Tortorella referred to the problem as the team’s inability to play in fives. Referring to moving as a cohesive unite in all even strength situations that have left players trying to do things on an individual effort and that just isn’t a recipe for success at the NHL level.

Some good news of late though is that Matvei Michkov has been lights out looking like the best rookie in the NHL and the best rookie the league has seen since Connor Bedard, living up to his reputation. Not only has Michkov turned into the star we hoped for, but his two linemates Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier have also chipped in their own heroics. Konecny is above a point per game with 5 goals and 5 assists in 9 games and Couturier has 6 points in 9 games after they each pulled off a 5 point game against the red hot Minnesota Wild. While they can’t be relied upon to put up those numbers on a regular basis, it’s obvious that the Flyers found their top line with Konecny, Couturier, and Michkov all leading the way and creating the most opportunities on the roster. On paper they look like they could be the top-line this team has been looking for since Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek departed the team.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through the Flyers current troubles at even strength and how it has held back the team from improving from last season even though they have had solid special teams performances on a nightly basis. How will this affect the Flyers ability to adapt and how will Tortorella get his team back on track to their high volume solid even strength play from last season?

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Photo Credit: © Bob Frid-Imagn Images

236 – Michkov’s Star Potential Shines Through Against The Oilers

The Flyers started their season on the road in a series of late games that left the fanbase staying up late for the most exciting time of the early season. Excitement is exactly what the fans got, with three closely matched games the Flyers walked away with a win, an overtime loss, and a loss in regulation all in games that seemed within grasp for the fourth youngest team in the NHL. What was the icing on the cake is watching Matvei Michkov have two goals and one assist in that span. While the team wasn’t able to come out with the ultimate victory there are plenty of positives to take away from a team trying to re-establish themselves as a tough team to play against in 2024-25, similar to the squad that fell one point short of a playoffs spot in 2023-24. Jett Luchanko has also been a topic of conversation as the youngster has split opinions on what his best route into NHL success should be. While coach Tortorella clearly loves the player, there is still some hesitation from others to put so much on a young kid. However, it’s important to remember that everyone is different and Torts has had a great reputation in identifying the character of players early, so he might be onto something. Time will tell if the team will opt to keep Luchanko all season or send him back before his nine game trial limit, but it is clear that he is vastly more impressive at a young age than anyone anticipated during his draft.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through the first three games of the Flyers early season and how they have responded to being on the road to start the season and how they handled their western Canadian opponents. Will Michkov and Jett Luchanko continue to be the new lifeblood of the Flyers? We dig in deep to understand their impact.

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234 – Michkov Playing Top Line & Luchanko Staying With The Flyers?

The preseason has come to an end and it looks like the Flyers’ opening night roster is set. As we sit right now, we do not know who will exactly fill the team’s final roster spot. Jett Luchanko, Olle Lycksell, Anthony Richard, and Emil Andrae seem to all be in a position to at fill that spot in the early going. However, with the recent update from training camp that Luchanko is the only one with the NHL squad, it seems that at the very least he will be getting his nine game trial from the Flyers. There is some hesitation in putting a guy who just turned 18 in August in the NHL so soon. Especially since he only recently emerged as a top player for his team in the OHL. However, with an extremely mature mindset and an already pro-level playing style, it could work. Time will tell if Luchanko is here for the long run, but he will have to add some points at the NHL level if he is going to prove to management that he is truly ready.

Aside from Luchanko, the main highlight of the young players at camp and probably the highlight of training camp overall, has been the play of Matvei Michkov. If you have been listening to this podcast, you would know that we said he would be a big impact with the squad day one and even had a chance of playing on the top line to start the season. It seems like the coaching staff agrees with that assessment, as Michkov has been placed with top-line players Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny in the final practices before the season. Whether this will stay all season is unclear, however it is clear the Michkov might already be the best offensive talent on the team at just 19 years old. With 3 goals and 4 assists in 4 games in the pre-season, he is currently tied for first in points in the entire NHL during the pre-season. We believe that this kind of performance can continue into the regular season as we expect Michkov to hit anywhere near 60-80 points in his first NHL season. Let’s hope for the city’s sake, that our prediction comes to fruition because it would put the Flyers on the map, not just locally, but throughout the league.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through the results of the preseason and how the team has handled their training camp and early scrimmages. Even though preseason is overvalued when evaluating roster regulars, it is a brilliant opportunity to get a taste of the guys fighting for their NHL future. This season might be the most exciting one of the past two decades as not only is there a top first round pick in Luchanko fighting for a spot and looking to grab it, there is a superstar in the making in Michkov who looks to have already taken the league by storm.

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232 – Michkov Shines In Rookie Game, Kolosov Drama Continues

The Flyers rookie games are now behind us as Matvei Michkov made a splash in his first public stage in the orange and black. Michkov did not disappoint as he scored a goal and was an impact all over the ice for the Flyers. While he didn’t rack up the scoring numbers there were also bright spots from Emil Andrae, Jett Luchanko, Oliver Bonk, Spencer Gill, Carson Bjarnason, and others. Michkov proved to be a level above the rest and had the opportunity to produce even more than the stats showed on paper. While the Flyers didn’t win the game, they did have the better of the scoring opportunities as they fell short on some of their scoring chances. If it wasn’t for a late goal by Massimo Rizzo with under a minute left in the game, the team might have lost the game in regulation.

In the second game the team went without Matvei Michkov and it was noticeable as the team played poorly for the first half of the game. Ironically, they won this game with an overtime this time by a goal by Samu Tuomaala. The team managed to split their two game series in wins, but that wasn’t what was important. This was really an opportunity for the young guys to get a taste of pro hockey at the NHL level and while not everyone stuck out in these games, training camp is kicking off and there is still plenty of time to prove their readiness.

On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through the Flyers Rookie games, who stood out and who needs some time in the oven before they make the Flyers. We also review the recent Daniel Briere press conference where he addressed the Kolosov situation, the odds of players making the team, Joel Farabee, and the health of the players who had some injury concerns. The preseason is almost upon us and it’s time to get excited.

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