Matvei Michkov is grinding right now, lifting weights and climbing stairs, prepping for what’s gotta be the most crucial season of his career. Look, his rookie year was impressive, we all saw it. But his second season? That was a straight-up step backward, or at best, sideways. He clearly wasn’t Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet’s guy from day one, and it landed him in the press box as the Hurricanes swept Philadelphia in the second round. Even with 51 points, stuck on the third line with Noah Cates for most of it, you just know that wasn’t enough. Michkov’s gotta be maximized, especially if he’s hitting the ground running from the jump.
The Roadblocks He’s Gotta Clear
Let’s be real, Michkov has to outwork and outshine some serious talent if he wants to crack that top line. Head Coach Rick Tocchet seems to have all the time in the world for Owen Tippett and Porter Martone, and they earned it. Tippett absolutely took a step forward last season with 28 goals, and he can change a game in a single shift. His physical presence and speed burning around defensemen? That’s top-six stuff all day, and he was often the top line right winger.
Martone’s Surge and Michkov’s Slow Start
Then you’ve got Martone. The sample size was small, yeah, but he was unstoppable in those 19 combined regular season and playoff games. Ten points in his last nine games, including an overtime game-winner against Boston for his first point? The guy lit a fire under the Flyers that pushed them into the playoffs! And don’t even get me started on the first round against the Pens, where he was lethal, dropping two game-winners on the road as Philadelphia offed Pittsburgh in six. He played way better than anyone expected, but it’s a new season, and he’s gotta prove it again. Michkov, on the other hand, started slow last season. His first goal, and first point, didn’t even come until the fourth game against the Jets. He didn’t score again until a three-game streak in November. While he was racking up assists, the overall production and eye test just weren’t there, despite having four multi-point games in eight April contests.
What Needs to Happen Next
So, how does Michkov get into the top six, maybe even alongside Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras? It’s not going to be easy. He needs whatever history he has with Tocchet to be completely gone, like yesterday. But there’s a real shot he could get more ice time with the prime players than he did in 2025-26. The biggest key, the absolute must, is for Michkov to come out blazing. He cannot afford another slow start. Flyers fans are looking for that spark, that dominant play we saw glimpses of. It’s time for Michkov to own it from Day 1.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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