Oddsmakers Favor Michkov to Score 20; Gauthier Heavy Fav

Oddsmakers sure like to find the line. When betting on NHL futures, there are far too many variables to breathe easy, but there’s also a reason the same players credit the 20-goal mark every season. The question is whether Philadelphia Flyers’ winger Matvei Michkov will join that group of players.

Vegas oddsmakers really like the chances of former Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier, who rudely spurned the Flyers’ attempts to sign him, to score 20 goals and have installed him as a heavy favorite at -330.

However, the question regarding Michkov is a little more cloudy, at least for bettors. Michkov broke free of his KHL contract to join the Flyers organization a year or two ahead of schedule and figures to skate on Broad St. this fall. But how will the slight winger, who is listed at 5-foot-10 but only 147 pounds, fare against NHL competition?

The Russian player scouts call slippery and deceptive, who fell to seventh overall despite very little question about his ability. General assumptions were that he would be held up in Russia under a KHL contract for a few years after the 2023 NHL Draft. However, a recent spate of young Russian players have been released to pursue their NHL dreams.

Last season, he scored 19 goals in 47 KHL games, so those taking up the bet might need the Pinnacle promo code. Most guesstimates have Michkov beginning the season on the top line with Sean Couturier, who should be much stronger in his second season after major back surgeries derailed the previous couple of seasons.

Michkov is going off at -165.

Russia remains banned from international competition for the 2024-25 season, but the sanctioning body plans to rule in February or March on reinstating Russia in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Tyson Foerster, 22, clipped the mark last season with 20 goals and 33 points. He, too, is a favorite to again score 20, with the same odds as Michkov. Bettors are also laying -165.

An interesting bet on the 20-goal mark is on Joel Farabee. Oddsmakers hedged on the former first-round pick (14th overall, 2018) despite his 22 goals last season. In fact, Farabee has had two 20-goal campaigns in his last four seasons. We were a little surprised to see the former US National Team Development and Boston University product only getting -125 odds to get there again.

Do they know something Flyers fans don’t? Perhaps Michkov’s arrival will indeed bump Farabee down to the third line with Scott Laughton, reducing the offensive chances he’ll get.

In case you’re curious, a couple more Flyers are on the list, but they’re not favorites to get there. Couturier, who will center the Flyers top line, is +175 to knock 20. Laughton is an even longer shot to get there at +250.

We are just 13 days away from the Flyers’ first preseason game. They will visit the Washington Capitals on Sept. 22 and then travel to the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 23.

The Flyers will begin the regular season on a West Coast road trip in Vancouver, then Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle, and home beginning Oct. 11.