The chatter around Matvei Michkov has turned up a notch, and it’s not hard to see why. The Philadelphia Flyers forward was visibly unhappy on the bench Monday night after a heated exchange with teammate Nick Seeler, and that moment only added fuel to the uncertainty around his future with the club.
Whether that scene means anything bigger is impossible to say for sure. What is clear is that the Flyers’ start has been rough, with just five wins in their first 20 games. Michkov, the 7th overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, has every reason to be frustrated if he’s looking around at the standings and the direction of the team.
If Ottawa is watching closely, it has to like what Michkov brings on paper. He’s a young, elite scorer with a quick release and an offense-first game that would immediately deepen the Senators’ top six.
He’d also be a major boost to a power play that has struggled badly. Michkov leads the Flyers in points this season with 14, and he has 128 points in 181 games.
Players with that kind of first-round talent don’t become available often, so if there’s even a chance, Steve Staios should be in the mix.
Of course, the price would be steep.
Philadelphia would almost certainly ask for a forward who can help replace a chunk of Michkov’s production, and Ottawa would be reluctant to gut its core to make it happen. Ridly Greig is one name that has already been connected to the Flyers.
He has 4 points in 14 games, but his value goes well beyond the box score. Greig leads the league in penalties drawn, and he has a knack for irritating opponents just enough to force them into mistakes without getting caught himself.
Carter Yakemchuk would be another tempting piece. The Senators’ first-round pick has been a healthy scratch lately, but his upside is obvious.
In 18 NHL games, he has two goals and three assists, and his calling card is a heavy shot. He still needs time to smooth out the rough edges, but the ceiling is there for him to grow into a legitimate top-four defenceman.
From the Flyers’ side, he could help address some of the defensive issues that have shown up early this season.
Ottawa also has draft capital and a prospect group that could get Philadelphia’s attention. The Senators hold two 2029 first-round picks and two 2027 second-round picks, and they also have prospects Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, Logan Hensler, Jaxon Cover, and Kasper Kalttunen in the system.
Even with all that appeal, there’s still a real question mark hanging over the fit. Michkov’s offensive instincts are exactly the kind of skill that would look dangerous next to Tim Stützle, but Travis Green’s system leans heavily on structure and defense.
That’s where the tension lives: Michkov would help Ottawa score, but his style doesn’t naturally line up with how the Senators want to play. He could adjust.
The bigger question is whether he’d want to.
In Other News...
Senators Let Another Late Chance Slip Away In Brutal OT Loss
The Senators were left to stew over another one that got away after a 3-2 overtime loss to Washington, a game that started with Ottawa chasing from behind but still gave them chances to turn the tide. Ridly Greig and Hayden Hodgson scored in regulation, and Thomas Chabot set up both goals, helping the Senators claw back into a matchup that looked wobbly early.
But the night also carried a jolt late in the third period when Nick Cousins left after a heavy hit from Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun, a play that was reviewed and ultimately not ruled dirty. Ottawa also came up empty on four power-play chances, leaving the Senators with plenty to revisit after another tight game slipped past them at the end. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Suddenly Face A Troubling Nick Cousins Injury Concern
Nick Cousins night ended in alarming fashion after a body check from Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun left the Ottawa forward motionless on the ice and needing help to get off. It was the kind of scene that immediately shifts attention away from the score and toward the player, especially for a Senators team that has leaned on Cousins for veteran depth in the first year of his two-year contract.
The postgame update only deepened the concern. Head coach Travis Green said Cousins was not doing well, and Ottawa will now have to wait and see how serious the injury is. Cousins has dealt with a concussion before, though he has not had an extensive history of head injuries, which makes the next stretch especially important for both the player and the team. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Face A Tough Carter Yakemchuk Decision Soon
Carter Yakemchuks first stretch with the Senators has already turned into a lesson in patience. The rookie defenceman has been in and out of the lineup recently, and when he does play, his minutes have been limited as Ottawa tries to balance his long-term upside with the realities of a tight roster and the demands of NHL defending.
The organization still sees plenty to like in his talent and development path, but the early returns have also made clear where the work remains. Ottawas coaches have pointed to the need for continued growth before he can be trusted in a bigger role, and his usage could keep shifting depending on how the team handles its blue line in the coming days. [Read more 🡒]