If the Flyers are going to get back into the postseason picture in 2026-27, they’ll have to do it by stacking wins in the Metropolitan Division and staying ahead of clubs looking to rebound after unexpectedly missing out, including the Washington Capitals. And as always, a lot of that turns on the players at the top of the roster.
For Philadelphia, that starts with Matvei Michkov. After a sophomore slump last season, he drew plenty of criticism, especially after comments from head coach Rick Tocchet about Michkov’s conditioning and the shape he was in when he reported to training camp.
But this summer has brought a very different tone. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reported that Michkov “is much more prepared to be an impact player this season than last,” and said Tocchet “has noticed an improved stamina level” from him.
GM Daniel Briere also told the media that the club was “very pleased with the work that [Michkov] put in this summer and the attitude that he showed up with in training camp.”
The early returns have matched the optimism. Michkov has produced three goals and seven points in four preseason games, and if that carries over, he could blow past the rookie highs he posted last season: 26 goals and 63 points.
Not every Flyers storyline has been nearly as encouraging. Goaltender Aleksei Kolosov has had a rough preseason, giving up nine goals on 42 shots.
Kurz wrote today that he wonders “if the Flyers are considering looking for a more reliable, veteran option” for the No. 3 job. Philadelphia did add Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs over the summer, and he is almost certainly an upgrade over Sam Ersson.
But behind Woll and No. 1 goalie Dan Vladar, Kolosov is the clear third option, with 21-year-old Carson Bjarnason not viewed as NHL-ready and slotted as the organizational No. 4.
That leaves the Flyers vulnerable if one of their NHL goalies gets hurt. Kolosov’s career .863 save percentage at the NHL level is a hard number to ignore, and a veteran AHL starter who can handle call-up duty would give the team a more dependable layer of protection.
Elsewhere, St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux left yesterday’s preseason game with an upper-body injury, according to a team announcement. The severity isn’t known, but with the Blues set to open the regular season on Friday, his availability for that game is now in question.
Mailloux had a shaky start after arriving from the Montreal Canadiens in a trade last summer, but he settled in as the season went along and emerged as one of St. Louis’ more promising young defensemen. The 23-year-old, a 2021 first-round pick, is expected to begin the year in the Blues’ top four alongside Philip Broberg, though this injury could delay that plan, at least briefly.
In Other News...
Flyers Still Have One Opening Night Decision With Real Consequences
With the preseason winding down, the Flyers still have one lineup question that carries more weight than a typical fourth-line battle. Sean Couturier and Noel Acciari look set for two of those spots, but the last opening night job is still up in the air, and the decision is tied as much to development as it is to immediate fit.
Denver Barkey and Nikita Grebenkin are the names to watch, with the club trying to sort out how best to balance Barkeys long-term growth against Grebenkins more physical NHL-ready style. Philadelphia could even keep both around early on to get a better read before making a firmer call on the lineup, leaving one of the teams quieter roster decisions with real consequences once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
David Jiricek Is Already Feeling Heat In Flyers Lineup Battle
The Flyers have settled on a 23-player roster for the season opener, and David Jiricek is on it, which at least gives the young defenseman a foothold as he enters a new phase of his NHL career. No longer waiver-exempt, Jiricek now has to keep earning his place the hard way, in a lineup where every mistake gets noticed and every shift matters.
His recent preseason outing against the Capitals was a reminder of how quickly that can turn. Philadelphia staff have already seen the rough edges in his defensive game and know there is more to come, but the next step is showing he can turn the opportunity into something more tangible, especially on the power play where the Flyers still need him to provide a lift. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Goalie Move Just Clarified A Growing Opening Night Battle
The Flyers kept their goalie picture in motion Thursday by sending Aleksei Kolosov to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms while also adding veteran forward Garrett Wilson on a one-year deal. For Kolosov, the assignment should mean steadier playing time in the AHL after a preseason in which the organization clearly wanted a cleaner path for development, while the NHL group stays built around three other goalies on the roster.
Dan Vladars status is the part worth watching now, because his return from injury appears close enough to make the backup job a real opening-night battle. Philadelphia has been carrying enough depth in net to buy itself options, but this move narrows the focus and hints that the Flyers are sorting toward a more defined pecking order before the season begins. [Read more 🡒]