The 2025 NHL Draft Lottery took place on May 5, 2025, and the Flyers ended up with the sixth overall pick after dropping two spots. On the same night, the NHL announced the Calder Trophy finalists for the league’s top rookie, and Matvei Michkov, despite a stellar season, was not among them. The finalists were Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, and Calgary Flames Goaltender Dustin Wolf.
Most people are frustrated and shocked frustration that Michkov was excluded as a finalist, especially considering Michkov’s numbers. He led all NHL rookies with 26 goals and 46 even-strength points, tied for second in overall points with 63, and was the only player with three or more overtime goals and three or more shootout goals. His 63 points were the most by a Flyers rookie since Mikael Renberg’s 82 in 1993-94, placing him eighth on the Flyers’ all-time rookie scoring list. Most fans and analysts called it a “snub” and pointing to his stats, language barrier, and adjustment to a tough Head Coach like John Tortorella as reasons he deserved recognition.
However, the finalists had strong cases. Hutson led rookies with 66 points and 60 assists, playing big minutes for a playoff-bound Canadiens team. Celebrini, the 2024 No. 1 pick, had 25 goals and 63 points, with a higher points-per-game rate (0.86) than Michkov’s. Wolf posted a 28-16-8 record, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts, anchoring the Flames’ playoff push. Some argue Michkov’s lower ice time (16:41 per game compared to Celebrini’s 19:47 and Hutson’s 22:43) and the Flyers’ non-playoff status may have swayed voters. His defensive lapses and two healthy scratches under Tortorella might have also factored in.
The Calder is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, and while Michkov’s offensive output was undeniable, voters may have valued Hutson’s two-way play, Celebrini’s all-around game, or Wolf’s goaltending impact. Still, it’s hard to deny the sentiment that Michkov’s exclusion feels like a miss, especially for a 20-year-old navigating a new league, culture, and language. This could fuel him for an even bigger 2025-26 season.
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Despite all that you guys say, Torts did nothing but hurt this team over the last 3 years. He was a terrible hire! Hope we don’t blow it again this time