The Flyers 2025-26 season ended just days ago when the team was eliminated in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Exit interviews took place on “break down day” at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees on Tuesday.
There were a few running themes that were consistent throughout the interviews. This is a very tight knit group that loves playing together and truly appreciates the fanbase here. Players hope to stay here, and are already looking forward to putting what they’ve learned this year to good use next season.
The team explained some of their injuries but that will be addressed further when Danny Briere meets with the press on Thursday. Head Coach Rick Tocchet is scheduled to answer questions on Wednesday.
But first…
Matvei Michkov
Much has been made of the dwindling minutes then eventual Game 4 scratching of the Flyers young Russian star. He had a rough start this season, then a great run down the stretch, only to hit the wall again in the post-season.
Trevor Zegras had this to say about head coach Rick Tocchet just last week. “He’ll get in your face and tell you stuff, but then he won’t ever sit you down for shifts at a time. He’ll put you right back on the ice.
The difference here is Michkov watched the final Flyers playoff game from the press box. He won’t get that chance to jump over the boards and prove himself until next Fall.
Needless to say Michkov’s exit interview was much anticipated. His attitude did wonders to quell the potential controversy. It doesn’t look as if we are in for a clash of egos here, Michkov was humble and contrite.
When asked about being scratched for Game 4 he said, “That’s the coach’s decision. I’m a player that should go on the ice and do my job. If the coach decide I have to miss the game I have to take it”. Michkov said he “wasn’t happy with his game in the playoffs”. He spoke of the need to “go back on the ice and training and work for the best”.
Flyers captain Sean Couturier had this to say concerning Michkov, “I wouldn’t say he feels comfortable yet. But he’s speaking better English, I think he’s communicating a little better. But he’s still young and he still has huge potential, huge upside in his game”.
Adjusting to the NHL can prove difficult for most young players. The language barrier has to make it that much more harder. Hopefully things continue to get easier for Matvei now that the dreaded sophomore year is behind him. Obviously there’s work to be done on this relationship but it does not seem to be as critical as some feared it may be.
Two Big Deals in the Waiting for the Flyers
Trevor Zegras
Trevor Zegras has been a great addition to the Flyers line-up this season. He’s got great hands, a fantastic attitude, and he’s ownes the best all time NHL success rate in the shootout. He also doesn’t have a contract going into next season. It sure sounds like he’d be ok with signing one.
“Personally I would love that. I would love to be here for a long time. I love playing here. I love the fans. I love the group that we have”. Safe to say he could be talked into staying here in Philly.
He had this to say about the team and their experience this season. “Excited for what’s ahead with this team. Such a good learning experience for myself and a lot of the other young guys that have never played in a playoff game”. He continued “Kind of what it’s like to play as series, win a series, have a series against a team that maybe you shouldn’t beat. But know what to expect now and I think it will be good moving forward”.
Zegras has worked hard since the moment he came to town. He does not attempt to get by on his natural ability. Even at training camp this Fall he was almost always one of the last players to leave the ice.
You have prospects at camp who are looking to make a good impression leaving the ice before a sure bet like Zegras. That speaks volumes about his level of dedication. Hopefully the parties will come to terms sooner rather than later.
Dan Vladar
The Flyers MVP, the man who turned this team around and led the way back to the post-season also does not have a contract going into next season.
When asked if he wanted to stay with the team Vladar said, “Yea, and um, if you can ask the same question to Danny Briere I may gonna be watching so we’ll see what he says”.
Vladar said that unfortunately he will not be able to represent his country in the World Championships because of an injury he suffered when he got rolled in the Pittsburgh series. He also said he doesn’t expect the injury to effect his training this Summer.
“I’m not satisfied with this season, I want more”. He spoke of already knowing what he wants to focus on in the off-season but would not get into specifics. He added, “You can always get better”.
Vladar has become a team leader and a calming factor for his team both on and off the ice. “It’s great to see my teammates in front of me that they were able to really buy into the system and doing the right things and doing everything for the logo out front”.
You can see the difference, when the Flyers are confident and trust their game plan they can be a very hard team to play against. When they get rattled out of playing their system things unravel quickly. “You just can’t be playing loose hockey up and down”.
Vladar is always looking for ways to improve, never looking to rest on his laurels and always giving credit to his teammates. That has been a running theme in these exit interviews. This team is tight and the players as individuals mean a lot to each other. Everyone is looking forward to working on themselves over the off-season so that they can regroup as a team in the Fall and start the whole process all over again.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
About Author
