The Flyers’ season began in a ditch. Fourteen days into the 2026-27 campaign, they had already stacked up a franchise-record nine straight losses and opened 0-6-3. But after that mess, Philadelphia has steadied itself with three wins in a row and now gets a chance to make it four in Saturday’s matinee against the Ducks at home.
Through the chaos, Matvei Michkov has been the one constant.
The 21-year-old leads the Flyers with six goals and eight points in 12 games, and he added to that total with an assist on Trevor Zegras’ power-play goal in Wednesday’s 3-1 win in Buffalo. That point extended his streak to four games.
It’s production that has come while Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Tyson Foerster have all missed time with injuries. For comparison, Michkov needed 22 games to get to six goals last season, his second in the league.
He also hit a milestone along the way, scoring his 50th career goal on October 17 against Ottawa in his 171st game. That made him the fastest Flyer to reach that mark since Matt Read in 2014. And in Buffalo, he logged 18:02, the most of any Philadelphia forward - a notable number for a player whose ice time has been a recurring talking point around the team.
“His retrievals are a lot better this year,” said head coach Rick Tocchet. “If you look at his goals, they are coming off a rebound, beats his check to the net. I think that’s why he’s moving quicker this year.”
That quickness is showing up in plain sight. Michkov looks sharper both carrying the puck and without it, and the confidence in his game is starting to read as well as it shows on the ice. He’s also building something with Porter Martone, the Flyers’ 19-year-old rookie, and Martone told Kevin Kurz of The Athletic that the relationship has grown away from hockey too:
“Honestly, this past couple weeks I think we’ve gotten a lot closer. I think for him, English isn’t his first language, so I think for me to go out of my way and start those conversations - ask him about his family, ask him about his brother.
I think that just builds chemistry on the ice. He’s been awesome this year.
Definitely speaking more English, being more vocal in the room. It’s awesome to see.
For us, we’re 19 and 21 in this league. We’ve got a long ways to go.
I think we can be a good duo in this league for a long time.”
Michkov said he remembers how overwhelming that first year can be, and he’s tried to be there for Martone in the middle of it:
“I remember my first year when I play every game so hard and you know media, media, media, Calder Trophy. So hard for him, and he needs support. I support him every time, for ice and for life too.”
There are signs beyond the stat sheet, too. Michkov showed up to camp in better shape after spending the summer training instead of taking a vacation, and he has been doing his interviews in English. After Cole Knuble scored his first NHL goal in Buffalo, Michkov even joined in the team photo after Knuble’s two-goal night - a small moment, but one that hasn’t been common from him over the past couple of seasons.
The bigger picture matters as well. Michkov is in the final year of his entry-level deal, which carries a $950K cap hit, and he is set for restricted free agency next summer.
For the Flyers, the early returns suggest the player they imagined when they drafted him is starting to arrive. For now, he’s giving them a chance to claw back from that brutal start and keep pushing toward the postseason.
In Other News...
Flyers Suddenly Have A Good Problem As Win Streak Faces Test
The Flyers head into Anaheim with a little momentum and, for once, a roster conversation that feels more encouraging than worrisome. After winning three straight, Philadelphia has gotten a lift from rookie Cole Knuble, who made a noticeable impact in the last game with two goals and has started to strengthen his case for a larger role as the lineup settles into a better rhythm.
Philadelphia may also have a veteran option back in the mix, with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen a possibility to return after missing time since the second game of the season. That kind of decision can be a good problem for a team that has been looking for stability, but it also puts the Flyers in a spot where recent performance may force some tough lineup choices before the streak gets its next test. [Read more 🡒]
Michkov Is Giving The Flyers Something They Have Been Missing
Matvei Michkov keeps giving the Flyers the kind of finishing touch they have long been searching for. In a recent game, the young winger added another burst of offense for Philadelphia and continued a fast start to the 2026-27 season, building on the promise he flashed as a rookie and showing a scoring pace that has put him near the top of the NHL early on.
The encouraging part for the Flyers is not just the production, but the way it has fit into the lineup with Noah Cates beside him. Michkov, Cates and goalie Joseph Woll all offered their thoughts after the game, underscoring how much attention this stretch of play is drawing as Philadelphia looks for more consistent offense from its best young creator. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Waste Another Michkov Night In Frustrating Rivalry Loss
Matvei Michkov gave the Flyers another night they should have been able to build on, scoring twice in a game that also featured Rasmus Ristolainen back in the lineup after missing nine games with an injury. Instead, Philadelphia let two leads slip away in a 5-4 loss to Anaheim, a result that snapped a three-game winning streak and left the building with the familiar feeling of a missed opportunity in a rivalry game.
For a team trying to stack positive results, the frustration was in how quickly control faded after the Flyers had taken command. The scoring touch was there, and Michkov again looked like a player capable of swinging the night, but Philadelphia could not protect its advantages long enough to turn his performance into two points. [Read more 🡒]