The chatter around the NHL on Monday wasn’t just about scores and standings. It was about three situations that already feel bigger than a single night: Matvei Michkov’s emotional run-in with Nick Seeler, Connor Hellebuyck’s unusual return to Winnipeg, and Jake Walman’s growing frustration in Edmonton.
For the Flyers, the win over the Vancouver Canucks came with a side of tension that quickly became the story. Michkov was visibly upset after a heated exchange with Seeler on the bench, with the frustration reportedly tied to Michkov not passing the puck to Seeler on a sequence in the game. Teammates had to step in and settle him down.
That moment has only added fuel to the conversation around Philadelphia’s room. Some will see it as nothing more than a young star who hates losing and wears it on his sleeve.
Others are reading it as another sign that things are getting strained. Flyers reporter Charlie O’Connor pointed out that the argument itself may not mean much on its own, but the recent history of reported friction makes it harder to brush off.
And with trade speculation already following Michkov, this won’t help quiet anything down.
In Winnipeg, the focus shifted to Hellebuyck and the odd optics of his return. He was not scheduled to start against his former team, and that decision immediately drew attention.
Kyle Connor said he was surprised Hellebuyck wouldn’t be in net, and he noted that he and his teammates had hoped to face him. Connor also said there hadn’t been any communication, calling it strictly business.
Hellebuyck reportedly wanted to face the music in Winnipeg and said he was disappointed, though he understood the decision. Former coach Dan Bylsma also jumped in, questioning whether Hellebuyck had even been included in the conversation. For a player who meant so much to the franchise, it’s an awkward setup no matter how it came together.
Then there’s Edmonton, where Walman keeps finding himself on the outside looking in. He was a healthy scratch again, his fifth time sitting out in the last seven games. That’s not a small development for a defenseman expected to matter, especially with his status as the second-highest-paid blueliner on the roster.
The message from the coaching staff seems pretty clear: Walman has slipped out of favor. Mike Babcock pointed to his play away from the puck, his role in scoring chances, and his overall impact when explaining the decision. He also made it clear that the staff’s evaluation doesn’t always line up with how outsiders see things, saying the choices are based on what gives the Oilers the best chance to win.
For now, that answer is not Walman. And while it’s still early, the longer this goes on, the more uncomfortable it could get for both sides.
If he keeps sitting, the trade talk will only grow louder, and the idea of Walman being open to a move starts to sound less far-fetched. If that happens, his no-move clause could become part of the conversation too.
All of that said, it’s still very early.
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Oilers Injury Concerns Keep Growing Around One Absence In Particular
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