Matvei Michkov Update: Here is what we know thus far, keeping everything straight

Photo Credit: Yong Kim/Philadelphia Inquirer

Matvei Michkov is a hot topic for Flyers fans throughout the entire world. It’s still a fluid situation, whether he comes and plays for the Flyers in 2024-25 or not. The problem is is little to lack of information out of Russia, and it’s tough deciphering what’s true and what is not. Here are some accurate details related to the Michkov situation, so everyone is now kept up the speed.

SKA owns Michkov’s rights. Head Coach Roman Rotenberg had this to say about the current situation yesterday on Match TV in an interview, “There is no official decision yet. We can’t say that we are letting anyone go. You see this is a serious question. We can talk about some agreements, including rights. And if someone wants to buy these rights, let’s discuss.”

Basically, what Rotenberg is saying is that SKA owns the rights to Michkov’s contract, which runs through the 2025-26 season. Per Hockey News Hub, which is a credible media outlet for the KHL, the amount SKA is requesting is $400,000 to buyout the remaining two years of his contract with SKA. That amount has to be paid by Michkov/agent, the Flyers cannot pay for this termination.

“We invested a lot in Matvey. And if he does not become the leader of Philadelphia, then we will definitely wait for him back in the KHL. And I will emphasize that this whole story was influenced by Michkov’s family situation. We need to support him in this. This is not a hockey issue, but a family issue. And we all must support Matvey,” Rotenberg said.

Rotenberg continues, “But we want to support Matvey as a family. We want to give him the opportunity to develop. If, for example, he cannot play in the first line of Philadelphia and does not receive the first majority there, if he is sent to the AHL or even to the East Coast League, then we will do everything to ensure that Michkov returns and plays only in the KHL.”

To be accurate, this does not mean that Michkov has to play top line minutes in Philadelphia. What he’s saying is if he’s not being utilized properly in Philadelphia, thus being sent to the AHL or ECHL, then he will be returned to SKA in the KHL. SKA will still hold Michkov’s rights in the KHL, in case he ever decides to return to the KHL. This is typical, even if NHL players leave for the KHL, like the Mikhail Vorobyev case with the Flyers. The Flyers qualified Vorobyev, as he was a restricted free agent upon him leaving the NHL for the KHL. In turn, the Flyers own Vorobyev’s rights, in case he ever decides he wants to re-enter the NHL, or AHL for that matter.

The Flyers and Michkov still have a few technicalities to work out, until he is officially signed by Philadelphia. This is probably the main reason the date of June was originally given a few weeks ago, in terms of big news, in regards to Michkov. Through this, the Flyers will remain cautiously optimistic, and they will not jeopardize anything to ruin this relationship with SKA. Yes, that includes releasing any information in regards to the matter between Michkov and SKA, and this will remain the case until Michkov is officially signed, sealed, and delivered to Philadelphia.

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