Photo: Rob Windfelder | Flyers Nitty Gritty
Matvei Michkov (or whoever controls his Instagram account) recently liked fan/social media posts highlighting his relatively low ice time with the Flyers.
This is from around November 6, 2026. Reports note that a fan account (or similar posts) pointed out that Michkov and rookie Porter Martone rank among the team’s top point producers but are seeing limited minutes. Michkov leads the Flyers in goals (around 10 at the time) with solid overall production, yet his average ice time sits near 15:53–15:56 per game—lower than several other forwards and the lowest among NHL players with at least 10 goals this season.
Key context from coverage:
- Michkov had wiped/deleted posts from (and possibly made private) his Instagram account about a month earlier during the team’s slow start, saying he wanted to focus on hockey.
- It’s unclear if Michkov himself liked the posts or if someone from his camp did it. Either way, it drew attention as a possible sign of frustration with usage under coach Rick Tocchet.
- The posts compare his ice time unfavorably to other high-scoring players and reference limited minutes for both him and Martone.
This fits a broader pattern of discussion around maximizing Michkov’s offensive talent (he’s a high-end scorer who has drawn praise for fan interactions, such as tossing pucks or giving sticks) while managing defensive responsibilities and overall team structure. It’s generated plenty of fan and media chatter, including on X.
Of course, the fanbase has rallied around Michkov. I mean it was almost expected, as Michkov should be playing at least 18 minutes per game.
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