Matvei Michkov’s name is suddenly in the middle of a lot of Canadiens chatter, and it all starts with a reported desire to move on from Philadelphia.
NHL insider Kevin Weekes reported that the 21-year-old forward wants a fresh start elsewhere, which immediately raised questions about where his future could land. Montreal has not been officially tied to him, but the connection between Michkov and Ivan Demidov is enough to get Canadiens fans thinking.
Michkov said recently that he and Demidov swapped jerseys after a game between Philadelphia and Montreal, and the two remain close and speak regularly. That alone does not point to a trade, but it does give Montreal a natural talking point if Michkov really is looking for a change of scenery.
The timing adds to the intrigue. Demidov is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and is not expected back before November 14.
Michkov, meanwhile, has been producing for the Flyers despite the team’s struggles. The 2023 seventh overall pick has 10 goals and 14 points in 20 games this season, with five of those goals coming on the power play.
His numbers have not been the problem in Philadelphia. The Flyers are 27th in the NHL with a 5-10-5 record and have given up 66 goals, a rough backdrop for a young offensive player trying to find his footing. A talented scorer on a team going nowhere fast is exactly the kind of situation that can start to wear on a player.
Montreal, by contrast, is sitting fifth overall at 11-3-4, even after yesterday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. From a pure hockey standpoint, the Canadiens would make sense as a destination for a player like Michkov.
The contract situation only adds another layer. Michkov’s deal runs out after this season, and he’ll become a restricted free agent. His current cap hit is below $1 million, which makes him even more interesting for a team like Montreal.
For Kent Hughes, the attraction is obvious: another gifted young scorer who could fit into the Canadiens’ developing core and give the offense another dangerous layer. And while nothing suggests Philadelphia and Montreal have discussed a deal, Michkov’s bond with Demidov gives fans a reason to keep connecting the dots.
The Flyers face Edmonton tonight, while the Canadiens are in Boston on Thursday. For now, that friendship is just part of the speculation - but it’s enough to keep Montreal in the conversation.
In Other News...
Canadiens Suddenly Face A Bigger Concern Ahead Of Bruins Trip
Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans were both absent from Canadiens practice Wednesday, with the team classifying the missed session as maintenance following the clubs most recent game. Montreal confirmed the two forwards were not on the ice but did not offer any further detail, leaving the group to sort through a little more uncertainty as it prepares for a trip to Boston.
Suzukis status is the more notable concern because he briefly left Tuesdays game before returning and scoring Montreals only goal, while Evans had already been managing discomfort since Monday. For a team heading into a divisional matchup with the Bruins, any question about the availability of two important centers is worth watching closely, especially with no immediate update on whether either will be ready to go. [Read more 🡒]
Cole Caufield Just Sparked A Bigger Canadiens Debate Than The Loss
Cole Caufield turned a frustrating night into a larger conversation for the Canadiens after Montreals overtime loss to Minnesota, shifting the focus from the result to how NHL games are being officiated. The forward took aim at the way referees handle controversial calls, adding another layer to a game that already left the Canadiens with plenty to sort through.
What made his comments resonate was the broader point behind them: Caufield wants more accountability from officials and believes they should be able to explain what they saw instead of simply signaling a penalty and moving on. For a Canadiens team still chasing consistency, it is the kind of postgame critique that can linger well beyond one loss, especially when it taps into a league-wide debate about transparency on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Suzuki Scare Had Canadiens Fans Holding Their Breath
Nick Suzuki gave Canadiens fans a scare in the third period, leaving the game briefly before returning to the ice and settling things down in a hurry. Montreals captain has been a central part of the clubs offense all season, appearing in 12 of the teams 18 games and continuing to drive play at the top of the lineup.
The good news for Montreal is that the concern did not linger long after the final whistle, with the team indicating Suzuki is fine after his short absence. Even so, any moment like that tends to tighten the mood around a team that leans so heavily on its top center, especially when he has been one of the most important contributors to the Canadiens attack. [Read more 🡒]