Two Russian Hockey Legends Leave Flyers’ Matvei Michkov Off Hypothetical Olympic Rosters
Matvei Michkov’s talent isn’t in question. The 21-year-old winger has dazzled with his offensive creativity and high-end skill since entering the NHL, and his international résumé speaks for itself. But despite his pedigree, two of Russia’s most respected hockey minds recently left the Philadelphia Flyers forward off their hypothetical Olympic rosters - a move that’s raised eyebrows, but also highlights how deep and competitive the Russian winger pool remains, even in theory.
Let’s be clear: Russia won’t be participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics due to the ongoing international ban from competition. That means no NHL players will be suiting up for Team Russia in Milan. Still, the hockey world can’t help but wonder what a full-strength Russian Olympic roster might look like, and two icons of the sport - Igor Larionov and Ilya Vorobyov - recently shared their takes.
Larionov’s Lineup: No Room for Michkov
Igor Larionov, the Hall of Famer and current head coach of SKA St. Petersburg, built his version of Team Russia with a mix of proven stars and emerging talent. The top of his forward group reads like an All-Star ballot: Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, Alex Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin - all locks in any theoretical lineup.
Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov, a rising star in his own right, made Larionov’s third line, a sign that youth wasn’t being ignored entirely. But when it came to the fourth line and depth roles, Larionov leaned on players like Vasily Podkolzin and Ivan Barbashev, favoring versatility and two-way reliability. He even included Ilya Mikheyev as a penalty-kill specialist.
That left Michkov on the outside looking in - not a snub based on talent alone, but more a reflection of role and fit. Larionov’s selections suggest he values specific traits for bottom-six roles, and Michkov, known more for his offensive upside than his defensive game, didn’t match that mold.
Vorobyov Echoes the Sentiment
Ilya Vorobyov, a decorated coach with two Gagarin Cups and an Olympic gold medal under his belt, also left Michkov off his projected roster. His version included many of the same big names as Larionov’s, but also made room for younger talents like Danila Yurov, Dmitri Voronkov, Pavel Dorofeyev, and again, Ivan Demidov.
Vorobyov’s reasoning? Experience and role readiness.
“He is a young boy, and just starting his career,” Vorobyov said when asked about Demidov - a sentiment that likely applies to Michkov as well. “The level of wingers in the Russian national team is very high… The Olympics are a fleeting tournament, and there is no time for experiments. And we need not only those guys who score.”
In other words, when the stakes are highest, coaches want players who can fill defined roles - not just offensive dynamos, but reliable contributors in all zones. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player like Michkov, who thrives with the puck on his stick but is still rounding out the rest of his game.
Michkov’s International Pedigree Still Shines
None of this erases what Michkov has already accomplished on the international stage. He captained both the Russia U20 and Russia 25 squads during the 2022-23 campaign and was a standout at the 2021 U18 World Junior Championships. There, he led all skaters in scoring with 16 points, broke the Russian single-tournament goals record with 12, and took home MVP and Best Forward honors.
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. Michkov’s ability to rise to the moment is well-documented, and his offensive instincts are elite - traits that usually earn you a spot on any national team, real or imagined.
So What’s Holding Him Back?
The reality is, Michkov’s sophomore NHL season hasn’t gone quite as planned. Under new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, his minutes and opportunities have fluctuated, and his production has taken a dip. That’s not uncommon for young players adjusting to new systems and expectations, but it does affect perception - especially when hypothetical Olympic rosters are being built by coaches who prioritize versatility and reliability.
It’s also worth noting that Russia’s winger depth is, frankly, ridiculous. Even without Michkov, you’re talking about a group headlined by Kucherov, Panarin, Kaprizov, Ovechkin, Malkin, Marchenko, and now Demidov. That’s a logjam of elite talent, and cracking that lineup - even in theory - is no small task.
What’s Next for Michkov?
If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that Michkov still has time on his side. He’s only 21, and his skill set is undeniable. The international ban won’t last forever, and when Russia eventually returns to the Olympic stage, Michkov will almost certainly be in the mix - especially if he continues to evolve his game at both ends of the ice.
For now, though, this is a moment of reflection. Not a condemnation of his talent, but a reminder that making an Olympic roster - even a hypothetical one - is about more than just highlight-reel goals. It’s about timing, role fit, and the trust of coaches who know what it takes to win when the lights are brightest.
Michkov’s time will come. But for now, he watches from the outside - a star-in-the-making still waiting for his Olympic moment.