Matvei Michkov finally got the one move that had been missing from his NHL résumé: the Michigan goal. It just didn’t happen in the NHL.
The 21-year-old Philadelphia Flyers winger pulled it off Saturday in Russia during the annual “Match of the Year,” a charity game put together by Alex Ovechkin, Mikhail Sergachev and Artemi Panarin. Michkov has been training with Panarin this offseason, and the event featured a lineup packed with current NHL talent, including Stanley Cup champions, top-line players and plenty of established names.
With the score tied 9-9, Michkov went to the lacrosse-style finish and finally connected. He also ended the game with a hat trick, making the summer showcase a strong stage for a player looking to reset after what was widely seen as a disappointing sophomore season.
Michkov had tried to score that goal plenty of times in the NHL without success. During his rookie year under John Tortorella, the attempts were more obvious, and last season under Rick Tocchet there were moments when it looked like he might try it again. Through 161 NHL games, he had not scored one until now.
The finish in Russia was clean. The goaltender - one of NHL stars such as Shesterkin, Sorokin, Askarov and Bobrovsky, along with a couple of KHL netminders on the rosters - seemed to read the play, guarding the top corner with his blocker. Michkov still found a way to slip the wraparound in under the goalie’s arm.
For a player who, by all accounts, had a down year but still produced 20 goals and 51 points in 81 games while averaging under 15 minutes per night, the summer work is starting to show. He also spent more time playing defense than he did in his rookie season. The upside remains obvious, and now the Michigan goal can be added to the list of things he has done while wearing a Flyers sweater.
This offseason has looked different for Michkov. He has been posting workout clips to his Instagram stories and linking up with Panarin, Sergachev, Podkolozin, Khusnutdinov and other Russian NHLers while working with top coaches overseas. The message has been clear: he wants to erase the memory of his sophomore slump.
After finishing up the charity game, Michkov is expected to head to Philadelphia and keep training. He may not arrive immediately, but he is expected to be in the United States in August, well before Flyers training camp opens.
However it plays out, the signs point in the same direction. Michkov is putting in more work than he did last summer, and he’s showing off more of his skill while doing it. If he gets to camp a week or two early, or shows up for rookie camp to spend time with younger players who are basically his age, that should be enough.
For the Flyers, it’s a pretty exciting thing to picture: Matvei Michkov heading into the 2026-27 season with a little more confidence and one more trick checked off the list.
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