Matvei Michkov’s second NHL season didn’t unfold the way the Flyers hoped, and now Rick Tocchet is owning his part in it.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz released today, the Philadelphia coach called his first year working with Michkov “a learning lesson for both of us.” Tocchet also said that if he had the chance to do it over, he would not have repeated his comments about Michkov being out of shape at the start of the season in February.
“I had already said it four times; I don’t think I needed to say it a fifth time.”
That was the flashpoint in a season that ended with Michkov scratched for key games during Philadelphia’s two-round playoff run. Tocchet’s management of the young winger drew criticism from some observers who felt the relationship was handled poorly in his first season on the Flyers bench. Tocchet pushed back on that view, saying, “I thought the coaches did a great job with him,” and “I think he really learned a lot.”
He added that Michkov “played some really good games for us” and said his focus now, heading into 2026-27, is to “get him in a situation to be comfortable on the ice.” Tocchet said the aim is to unlock Michkov’s creativity while still maintaining what he called “some non-negotiables.”
For Tocchet, the first year in Philadelphia was still a success by the standings. The former Vancouver Canucks coach finished 43-27-12, got the Flyers into the playoffs, and even guided them past the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.
Elsewhere around the hockey world, Maxim Shabanov is getting another crack at finding his footing in the NHL. The Russian forward didn’t have the kind of rookie season he wanted after struggling to carry over his KHL scoring touch to the league.
The New York Islanders let him go by declining to issue a qualifying offer, which made him an unrestricted free agent. He then signed a one-year, $1.6MM deal with the Minnesota Wild.
Minnesota appears ready to give him a real opportunity. According to Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic, Shabanov “will likely get a chance to play with [Kirill] Kaprizov ” in training camp.
That opening exists because Kaprizov lost Mats Zuccarello, his most frequent linemate and playmaker, and the Wild now have a spot to fill on that line. Shabanov, an undersized playmaker, will be hoping for the same kind of chemistry Zuccarello built on Kaprizov’s wing.
There was also movement in the OHL, where the Oshawa Generals picked up defenseman Linus Funck from the London Knights. The deal sent a 2027 second-round pick, via Guelph, and a 2028 third-round pick, via Sudbury, back to London.
Funck, a 6’3″ right-shot defenseman from Sweden, was a 2025 fourth-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche. He just finished his rookie OHL season in 2025-26, posting four goals and 22 points in 65 games. Oshawa is betting on upside here, with Elite Prospects describing him in the lead-up to the 2025 draft as someone who “could turn into a bottom-pairing option” at the highest level.
In Other News...
Wild Cap Crunch Could Create One Unexpected Expansion Benefit
The Wilds roster math is becoming hard to ignore, and it carries a familiar kind of worry for a team trying to stay in the playoff conversation. With Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Quinn Hughes driving the top end, the concern is less about star power than what comes behind it, especially when you stack the current depth against the 2014-15 group that once gave Minnesota so much more balance.
A planned NHL expansion team in 2029-30 adds another layer to the cap squeeze, because every extra dollar committed now can matter later when protection decisions arrive. Filip Gustavssons no-trade clause is part of that larger picture, too, since it shapes how much flexibility the Wild would have if they decide to juggle the crease before an expansion draft forces the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Camp Suddenly Centers On A Forward Battle That Really Matters
Less than a month before the regular season, the Wild still have a roster picture that is not fully settled, and that makes training camp feel more like a live audition than a formality. Offseason departures left gaps that have yet to be filled, even as Minnesota is expected to open camp with most of the group healthy. The one notable absence is Filip Gustavsson, who is recovering from hip surgery, leaving the club to sort through the rest of the roster while it waits for the season to get closer.
That uncertainty puts extra weight on the forward group, where the organization is mixing established pieces with prospects trying to force their way in. Charlie Stramel and Hunter Haight are among the younger players competing for spots, and the Wild still have to figure out line chemistry and whether additions are needed before opening night. For a team that already knows what it has on defense, the next few weeks are really about finding out which forwards can make the group fit. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Fans May Be Overlooking One Crucial Kaprizov Line Decision
Ryan Hartmans place in Minnesota has always seemed to come with a little extra debate attached to it. Since joining the Wild in 2019, he has bounced through different roles and public perceptions, but he also put together a career year next to Kirill Kaprizov and has continued to matter as more than just a supporting piece. Even with injuries and suspensions complicating his standing at times, Hartman has remained a dependable scorer and a useful driver of 5-on-5 shots and points.
So when the Wild start sorting out Kaprizovs line, Hartman is still a name that deserves real consideration. There has been some chatter about possible lineup changes involving Danila Yurov, and Hartmans name has also surfaced in trade discussion, but the simplest answer may be the one fans overlook: he still looks like a legitimate fit for the top line. For a team trying to maximize its best player, that kind of stability can matter more than the temptation to chase something new. [Read more 🡒]