Matvei Michkov is making sure the offseason conversation around his body is the last one that sticks.
The 21-year-old Flyers forward has been working hard all summer after drawing public criticism for his physical condition, and his latest social media post showed off a noticeably transformed frame. It was the clearest sign yet that Michkov has taken the feedback personally heading into Year 3 of his NHL career.
That work hasn’t been casual, either. Michkov has trained with fellow Russian stars such as Artemi Panarin, and his summer program has reportedly included multiple sessions a day under the supervision of a Flyers coach. For a player entering the final season of his entry-level contract, the timing adds another layer to the push.
Michkov’s sophomore season gave Philadelphia plenty to build on, even if it ended with a hard stop. He led the Flyers in scoring after the Olympic break, spending his time off trying to catch up to his teammates physically and in game shape. Then came the Stanley Cup playoffs, where he managed just one point in eight games.
Still, the Flyers may not have reached the playoffs without him.
That’s part of why the stakes feel so high now for both sides. Philadelphia didn’t make many offseason additions, so the club is counting on the 2023 No. 7 overall pick to take another step and help drive the team back toward contention. Michkov, meanwhile, has every reason to make this a breakout contract year.
For now, the early signs point in the right direction. Michkov has clearly made a point of addressing the criticism, and his offseason effort suggests he’s aiming to arrive with a different look and a bigger role when the season opens.
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Owen McLaughlins decision to sign an AHL contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms keeps him in the organization, giving the Flyers a closer look at where he stands against pro competition. Around the league, other unsigned college players remain on reserve lists or moved on to minor-league deals, which is a reminder that this deadline rarely ends the story for every draft pick. For Philadelphia, the bigger question now is how much upside still remains in a prospect who has yet to take the next step. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Still Have One Roster Weakness Fans Can't Ignore
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That shortcoming stood out because the Flyers spent the offseason looking for help at center and came up short, leaving the depth chart a little thinner than they would prefer. It also puts extra pressure on the roster to stay healthy, since there is not an immediate prospect ready to step into that role if the position gets hit by injuries or the current mix falls short. [Read more 🡒]