Matvei Michkov’s first day at Flyers camp on Thursday came with a few signs that he’s taking a very different approach this summer.
The third-year winger showed up after a busy offseason that included two movies, a noticeable drop in weight, and a few hints that he’d like to move to Feasterville. But the biggest development wasn’t what he did away from the rink - it was how he handled himself once camp opened in Voorhees, N.J.
For the first time, Michkov spoke to the media in English.
That alone stood out, but what he said made an even stronger impression:
“I feel good. Good summer.
I work all the time. Work and fun, 50/50.
And I feel really good right now.”
“I think (losing 30 pounds) is so good for me. I feel, right now, lighter on the ice.
More speed. Every skill is more speed.
Better speed. I eat, right now, just good food.
No fast food. No sugar… This is hard work, too.
Hard work (not only) on the ice. In life too, hard work.
But it’s good. I want to play better for the team… I need to support everybody who plays (on the) Flyers.
“This is my first interview in English. This is hard for me.
(But) I feel now much better (in America). Philly is my second home.
I feel the same - my first home and my second home - I feel the same. Same good.
Thank you, everybody, for your support.
There’s a lot packed into that, and all of it points in the same direction. Michkov said he feels lighter and faster.
He talked about cleaning up his diet. He talked about wanting to help the team and support his teammates.
And he made it clear that Philadelphia already means something to him: “Philly is my second home.”
That lighter, quicker look didn’t stay confined to his comments, either. People around camp noticed it on the ice right away. Michkov was described as looking fast, and Rick Tocchet had the same read after watching him skate.
“You can tell he’s lighter, and stronger skating. Like, the stride’s longer.
You watch the laps, when guys start getting tired, their stride gets choppier, and his was still elongated. That’s a good sign.”
After practice, Michkov also shared a photo to his Instagram Story, showing him with Tocchet. Given the chatter from last year about the coach being too hard on Michkov - especially around conditioning and ice time - the picture carried its own message. Whatever people may have thought about tension before, that moment looked more like two guys having a good laugh than anything else.
So, yes, the takeaway from day one is pretty simple: Michkov looks bought in, looks healthier, and looks ready to carry the momentum of his summer into the season. He says he feels better in America, feels better on the ice, and wants to play better for the Flyers. That’s about as encouraging as camp openings get.
And for what it’s worth, this does seem to fit the bigger prediction that this would be a big Michkov year.
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