While the rumors surrounding Matvei Michkov potentially coming overseas and becoming a member of the Philadelphia Flyers two years earlier than everyone expected, is certainly continuing, the team’s front office is remaining calm.
Despite boundless optimism from the entire fan base, during Wednesday’s press conference held by Flyers governor Dan Hilferty and president of hockey operations Keith Jones, they tried to play it right down the middle. Not giving any significant new information regarding the potential of Michkov terminating his KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg and coming to the NHL for next season, but also not squashing any hope, either.
Most importantly, Jones made it clear that regardless of Michkov being on the Flyers’ 2023-24 roster or not, they are sticking to the plan they have for this summer.
“It doesn’t really affect [our plans] because when we drafted him,” he said, “the expectation was that he would finish his contract with SKA. So, we are listening, reading many of your articles and kind of following along, but we have no update on it. We would welcome him with open arms. We absolutely love what he is going to bring to the Flyers. If that timeline is sped up, that would be wonderful, but we don’t know. So, we’ll watch along closely like you guys are as well.
“When he arrives, our fan base is going to be pretty excited about getting a highly talented player that is different than what we have right now. I think our fans are looking forward to that for sure.”
While it mostly seems like nothing new is being said, it does at least cement the fact that the Flyers are not going to wheel and deal this summer if Michkov is a Philadelphia Flyer. The team is most likely going to (at least theoretically) be better on the ice with a player of his talent at the top of the lineup, it doesn’t mean that they are suddenly going to be spending a whole lot of money and future assets to make this team as good as it can be.
Throughout the press conference, both Hilferty and Jones made sure that everyone knew that the surprising improvement last season isn’t the end of any attempted rebuild. The process is still going to be taking place as the younger players are hopefully going to improve and this next wave of prospects — both of them mentioned Oliver Bonk and Hunter McDonald as players they like — will be coming in.
But, that doesn’t mean that one of them is not checking with the other about any new updates regarding Michkov.
“Three times a day,” Hilferty laughed about how often he is checking in with Jones about the 19-year-old super prospect. “Look, I’m a fan. The way I look at it, he’s still a young individual. As much fun as it would be, as good as it would be for creating that environment and getting fans excited — yeah, I hope it happens. But, we knew he was under a three-year contract, so I can’t just be a total fan about this. It is a situation we have zero control over. We will continue to watch him regardless of where he plays and at some point, it will be a great thing for the Philadelphia Flyers.”
The Russian phenom was on loan to HK Sochi last season, where he scored 19 goals and 41 points in 47 games as a teenager in one of the best hockey leagues in the world. We will all be waiting here with bated breath for the official announcement that this is happening, until then, we just have to try and remain calm.
