Philadelphia Flyers
Report: Matvei Michkov to Terminate KHL Contract, Join Flyers
On the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers winning the Stanley Cup for the first time, it has been reported that No. 1 prospect Matvei Michkov is expected to terminate his KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg and leave to continue his career with the Flyers.
Sport-Express has reported, “According to SE, SKA striker Matvey Michkov will continue his career in Philadelphia. The contract with the St. Petersburg club until 2026 will be terminated. The rights to the hockey player in the KHL will remain with the team.”
The Flyers are aware of the report and are unable to confirm it at this time.
Michkov, 19, was selected with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft after scoring nine goals and 20 points in 27 games with HK Sochi in 2022-23. Michkov, of course, was on loan to Sochi from SKA, his parent club.
From the outside looking in, Michkov’s relationship with SKA head coach and Russian Ice Hockey Federation vice president Roman Rotenberg has been tenuous at best. Rotenberg frequently excluded Michkov from his matchday squads with SKA or gave him very little ice time, and recently left the Flyers draftee out of the Russian national U25 team.
Fellow Flyers draft pick Egor Zavragin, who is only 18 years old and has no KHL experience, was selected by Rotenberg.
If Michkov does come over to North America and join the Flyers early, he’ll be the third KHL standout to do so in the last few months. Ivan Fedotov executed his shock switch to the NHL at the end of March and subsequently signed a two-year, $6.55 million extension. Alexei Kolosov, who signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers last summer, briefly played for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the AHL level, appearing in two games for the baby Flyers.
Michkov’s original contract is supposed to tie him down to the KHL until 2026.
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Obviously, I’ll believe it when he is at a podium in Voorhees for his introductory press conference. Until then, I certainly wouldn’t hold my breath. But, it would be awesome if true and possibly enable the team to sign a free agent who might of passed on becoming a Flyer without the presence of Michkov.
I’m really hoping that this report is true and if so, that he lives up to the hype. I’m not a Flyers fan by any means, but really enjoy watching exciting young Russian players come into the league. You just never know what to expect.
Actually a year earlier than I expected….thought it would be after this upcoming season with the Flyers assisting up to the legal limit in the transfer fee.
Danny B….now is the time , if this is true, go out and get Marner from the Leafs…the power play will be a huge improvement.
I’ll be happy to take Marner’s point production but not his cap hit. What they need more so, especially if Michkov is here next season, is a top, skilled center rather than a right wing. Obviously, #1 centers are hard to acquire. A name that has been mentioned is Trevor Zegras, who may be obtainable. He was injured for part of last season, so that’s a caution. His average point per game production has been about 0.75 – not outstanding but he’s young and skilled with potential to develop further, which could fit well with where the Flyers are now. Plus, he is good friends with Drysdale and York. The Ducks are not actively shopping him but he could be worth considering, and his $5.7 million cap hit would be easier to work in than Marner’s $10.9.
If they could get Marner from the Leafs……Utah is in play for him also…..Risto’s contract has to be absord by the Leafs…..that makes it more palatable to sign Marner long term at what will be a $11M AAV cap hit. Leafs do need defensemen.
I doubt Zegras will play for Torts. After all the Negative comments he made toward Trevor. Sorry Guys Not a fan of JT.
LFG!!! (I’m holding my breath until he’s actually here, however).
The NHL has a max. amount entry-level players can sign for.
For the 2023 NHL draft, players sign a three-year deal at a maximum of $950,000 per year.
So the Flyers’ hands are tied for what Michkov can get, order to buy out his SKA St. Pete. KHL contract.,,,,if that is enough, great news, and he could be here in July for the Flyers’ prospects development camp.
yipee