It’s Michkov and Luchanko time

Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder

After watching the Phillies lose in the NLDS last night To the New York Mets. I found myself just staring blankly at the television. In somewhat of disbelief, I then focused My energy and attention to the Flyers that open their season on Friday night against the Vancouver Canucks.

Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko will be making their NHL Debuts, and it couldn’t come at a better time to forget about the Phillies. The Flyers aren’t contenders, like the Phillies were, but these two players do give a sense of hope for the future. It truly is the “New Era of Orange.”

Matvei Michkov

With Michkov, it brings out scouts. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Utah Hockey Club, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadians, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Buffalo Sabres were the other organizations with scouts in attendance for a Flyers rookie game. Believe it or not, former Flyer and Phantom Neil Little represented the Montreal Canadiens organization.

On-ice everything is great, so how is everything off-ice? Everything seems to be going great for Michkov. We have learned he is a family man. Following the first rookie game, he got a little emotional talking about his first goal and what it meant to him and his family. One could sense that goal meant a lot not only to him, but his family. His mom and brother were upstairs in the arena watching the game, and they were able to see his first goal as a Flyer.

Another thing we have learned is both he and Egor Zamula are very close. There was a reason the Flyers extended Zamula, and obviously helping Michkov adapt to North America was one of the very reasons. The two are best friends now, and it’s great to see. Ivan Fedotov is also very close to Michkov. Michkov is also learning the English language, and he even answered a question in English after the game on Friday night saying, “Thank you.”

One major tidbit of learning about Michkov is how competitive he is. He hates to lose, he just wants to win. Michkov lives and breathes the sport of hockey, that’s it. Following the game on Friday night, he made it clear after talking about his first goal, “Not happy about the loss today, but after the game we will get better.” Competitiveness cannot be taught, that is something that is ingrained in you, and Michkov has it.

He’s obviously something, the way he plays that we don’t have enough of,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said following his annual season opening presser. “He’s 19, rookie season, a lot to learn. On the flip side he’s been dealing with this pressure already, so he’s comfortable.”

Jett Luchanko

Flyers’ General manager Danny Briere spoke about him on Monday, “There’s guys that were rushed, that never really took the next steps. And there’s guys that were rushed and became amazing players. The one player like that that comes to mind for me is Patrice Bergeron,” Briere said at his opening night presser. 

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Both Briere and Tortorella have indicated that they will be cautious with Luchanko, and him staying past the nine game threshold does not just depend solely on points and production, rather there are other elements of his play that will dictate if he stays on the main roster for the entire season or not.

Whatever the case maybe, Luchanko is looking forward to the opportunity to prove he’s deserving of the spot, “Try to take pride with the coach throwing me in any situation,” Luchanko said Tuesday after learning he made the team. According to Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella, Luchanko will see time on the penalty kill and Power Play.

Luchanko came in and blew the doors off training camp, according to Briere. He knew exactly what he had to do in order to make the club. Luchanko can skate, and that is one key element the Flyers lacked before his arrival in a major way. Matvei Michkov also helps in this area, but still, the Flyers have lacked speed throughout the duration of a season for years now.

Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella spoke on the need for speed in the Flyers lineup. Luchanko more than provides that, as he is an elite skater. “The speed he brings through the middle of the ice is intriguing,” Tortorella said yesterday following practice last week. Luchanko also has excellent vision of the ice, rather it’s quite elite, as well. He makes plays happen that is not spotted by the naked eye. He pays attention to the small details, like winning puck battles, making the right outlet passes, and enters the opponents zone with ease at times. The Flyers needed more creativity with their offense, and Luchanko infuses it greatly.

It’s not Miller Time Flyers fans, It’s Michkov and Luchanko Time