Photo Credit: NHL.com
How many times have Flyers fans heard in the past with former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher saying “We need more talent.” He was like a broken record, but he was correct. That is why the Flyers took a big swing with a potential superstar in the making in Matvei Michkov.
New Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere took a swing for the fences, and this one should be a home run, “We took a big swing, and we hope that this is a home run,” Danny Briere said following the completion of the first round of the NHL Draft.
Michkov was arguably the second best player in the draft, but he fell to the Flyers laps at 7 due to risk of not coming over to North America. Briere does not think that will be a problem, and they met with him twice to get a better read on this young prospect. They fell in love with him, and evidently he has a bubbly personality:
“We were blown away by his personality. He blew us away how smiley he was, and how much he wanted to be a Flyer.” – Danny Briere
Now this young 18-year-old in Michkov can skate, shoot, and has a good pair of hands. The guy is a freak of nature on the ice, and he would have been the second overall pick if there was no risk with him.
Michkov was one guy the Flyers wanted, and had eyes for. They loved his shot, hands, size, and skating. Moreover, they love what he can turn into, as the Flyers are now targeting shoot-first players in recent drafts. Tyson Foerster’s best ability is his shot. Samu Tuomaala, although he was a second-rounder in 2021, is a guy that can skate and shoot the puck. Cutter Gauthier can fire the puck with the best of them. Now add Michkov to that list, a cornerstone player.
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“We know he has a contract for three more seasons. We felt it was the talent we could not pass up. We met him a couple times. He loved the Flyers and you can tell he wanted to be a Flyer.” – Danny Briere stated following the pick
“We are just really excited to get this type of talent. It does not happen very often. We got to meet with him in Voorhees last Friday and got a comfort level with his personality. He’s very driven. He wants to be the best,” Brent Flahr said. “We are excited for him to be a Flyer. Meeting him here again with the entire staff, everybody got a comfort level. We are just really fired up to get him.”
Now fast forward to his first pre-season game with SKA this season. He was masterful in his first game at the center position, yes you read that properly, he played center for his first appearance this season with SKA. Michkov showed he can be the 200-ft player the Flyers drafted, as he won puck battles, even with the puck battles he lost he played the game hard. My favorite part of the game was him leaning into players while still maintaining possession of the puck.
Michkov netted one goal and an assist for his efforts in the 3-2 overtime loss. He needs to work on faceoffs, obviously, as he is a natural Winger, but he opened some eyes in this tilt. However, he showed Flyers fans what could be in the future.
The young Prospect in Michkov is playing in the league against men. Moreover, he has quick footwork and can make something out of nothing quickly. He needs to improve at the defensive side of his game, but that will come in time. Overall, this was a great game for him and there’s lots of good to take away for him moving forward.
