Matvei Michkov shows off in his debut for Sochi (Flyers)

Photo Courtesy of Philadelphia Flyers PR

Over the span of the past weeks there’s been some changes in Matvei Michkov’s on ice usage with SKA St Petersburg in the KHL, and it eventually led him being loaned to Sochi. The Flyers seventh overall draft pick went from centering the second and third lines for a handful of games during the preseason to receiving considerably less ice time in the last three to four outings the preseason for SKA, to include being a healthy scratch on August 25th for a preseason game. Moreover, his limited ice time filtered into the regular season as he has been a healthy scratch for three out of their first four games played. In his lone regular season game played he only registered 6:12 of ice time.

Such a change in how Michkov is being utilized with SKA presents question marks surrounding how the talented prospect may be handled as the KHL regular season begins and progresses. Obviously with Michkov playing in the KHL this season that leaves the Flyers with very little control over his development.

Michkov mania took over twitter after learning that he was loaned to Sochi in the KHL a day ago, a team he played for last season while registering nine goals and 11 assists in 27 games played. The location of Sochi might bring back bad memories of his dad’s tragic death, thus he wanted to make things work with SKA. Maybe now Michkov believes his dad would want him to get the proper development to improve his game, so SKA and Michkov mutually agreed on this loan to Sochi.

Well Michkov did not disappoint in his first game for Sochi, while registering 18:04 of ice time. He registered two assists, and also blocked one shot. Michkov is just so good offensively, it was great to see him garner time with the man advantage, as well. He tallied one assist on the power play for his efforts.

One thing that separated Michkov from a lot of prospects aged 18-years-old is his kern hockey sense. His hockey IQ ranks off the charts, and that was quite evident today. Michkov can thread needle like passes with the best of them, again that was made evident today. The future is bright for this young man, so hopefully he comes to North America earlier than expected.