Flyers’ Michkov Reveals Offseason Plans, Endorses Top Prospect

Philadelphia Flyers fans will be happy to know that one top prospect is going to be hard at work this offseason.

With KHL playoff hockey officially off the table, Matvei Michkov plans to continue to train and work hard to be prepared for the start of next season.

Michkov told MatchTV (loosely translated into English), “I will train separately. I know what components I need to work hard on. I will do just that, already preparing for the next season. Just go ahead! I will not be sad — I will just train, making myself better.”

On loan with HC Sochi this season, Michkov plans on returning to SKA St. Petersburg to play under head coach Roman Rotenberg once again. On the other hand, though, it seems that the relationship between the two sides is tenuous at best.

“No, we didn’t talk about anything. But my task is to work, and then we’ll see further,” Michkov said. “Not everything depends on me, but a lot. And I have to do everything in my power, doing it 100%.”

Neither the Flyers nor Michkov had any true resolutions for the illnesses and absences this season, but the 19-year-old is already putting the tough 2023-24 season behind him.

“I don’t even know what it is connected with. Maybe some kind of bad luck. It’s very unpleasant to get sick,” Michkov explained. “I would always like to play without pauses. But whatever is done, everything is for the better. Thank God everything is fine now. Let it continue like this.”

The future Flyers star also commented a little bit on a 2024 NHL Draft-eligible prospect – some kid named Ivan Demidov, who happens to be blowing away his competition in the MHL right now.

“I closely monitor Vanya Demidov, he scores a lot of points in SKA 1946. We communicate well, friends. Watching his successes,” Michkov said. “I’m glad that everything works out for him, let it be MHL. But let it take shape there, grow. I believe that at an adult level he will show the same hockey. Of the young ones, I like Demids the most.”

Lastly, Michkov admitted that he’s never seen the Flyers‘ ice at Wells Fargo Center.

He’s only seen two NHL arenas: “Once — in Edmonton. The second — when I came to the draft in Nashville,” he said.

It’s still a few years away, but Michkov will get to see his new Flyers home eventually.

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