A Matvei Michkov trade idea tied to the Edmonton Oilers has lit up social media, but the buzz comes with a huge asterisk. The proposed deal would send Isaac Howard, a 2028 first-round pick and a third-round pick from Edmonton to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Michkov.
On paper, it’s the kind of package that gets people talking. In reality, the reporting behind it is thin.
The suggestion is coming from an unverified account, and the posts attached to it offer no evidence that the Oilers and Flyers are actually working on this kind of framework. It’s a trade concept, not a trade on the horizon. That distinction matters.
For Edmonton, the appeal is easy to see. Michkov brings real offensive punch and could slot as another dangerous winger alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
He has the kind of skill set that can punish defenses when they collapse on the puck carrier, and he already showed he can score in the NHL. In his rookie season, Michkov put up 26 goals and 63 points in 80 games during the 2024-25 campaign.
That production gives the idea more weight than a pure upside gamble. Michkov has already established a scoring base, not just a highlight reel. Put him next to elite playmaking talent and it’s not hard to imagine more chances opening up for him.
Still, that’s only half the equation. Philadelphia would have to be convinced to move on from a player who has already proven he can finish at the NHL level.
Howard gives the Flyers a prospect with offensive intrigue, and Edmonton’s decision to acquire Howard from Tampa Bay for Sam O’Reilly in July 2025 shows the value placed on his ceiling. Add in a first-round pick in 2028 and a third-round pick, and the return starts to look substantial.
But substantial doesn’t automatically mean enough. Howard would still need to develop, and the first-round pick is three years away from being used.
That’s a lot of uncertainty compared with Michkov’s already established NHL scoring. Unless Philadelphia had a strong reason to change direction, the package would seem hard to justify.
The fan reaction around the rumor reflected that same skepticism. Dump The Puck called the account “Obviously a fake source,” while That Guy wrote: “Way too much.”
On the optimistic side, Doppa D said, “Michkov’s production would explode in Edmonton. Hope it’s true, but I doubt it.”
So the idea has a clear split: it makes sense as a hockey discussion for Edmonton, but it looks far less convincing from Philadelphia’s side. For now, it’s a social-media trade pitch, not a deal with real legs.
In Other News...
Flyers Suddenly Face A Center Decision Fans Can't Ignore
The Flyers are still searching for their first win of the season, and the 0-5-3 start has only sharpened the scrutiny around a roster that already looks like it may need help down the middle. As they prepare to face the Red Wings, Rick Tocchet spent a recent practice talking through the teams defensive issues, including a tendency for defensemen to jump into the play too eagerly, a symptom of a group still trying to find its structure and identity.
That backdrop has only added to the sense that roster moves could be coming, with center help now part of the conversation as the club weighs its options. Noah Cates is also drawing attention as fans and teams alike watch how he fits into the picture, while the organization has another date circled later in the winter with its Hall of Fame ceremony, a reminder that even in a tense start, there are still bigger franchise moments on the calendar. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Have A Low-Risk Option As Bottom-Six Questions Keep Growing
The Flyers have spent the early part of the season sorting through their bottom six, and the latest wrinkle came from Vancouver, where Aatu Raty was placed on waivers after trade talks did not produce a deal. For a Philadelphia club that has already tinkered with its depth by signing Michael Bunting and recalling Jack Studnicka, it is the kind of low-cost opportunity that fits the moment as the coaching staff keeps looking for more reliable answers down the lineup.
Raty is still more projection than proven NHL solution, but he has shown some offensive ability in the AHL and has traits that can appeal to a team trying to stabilize a checking role without much risk. The fit is obvious on paper for the Flyers because of his familiarity with Rick Tocchet from their shared Vancouver background, and because Philadelphia could use another forward who can help in the faceoff circle while the rest of the roster picture continues to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Trade Rumors Just Put Travis Konecny Drama In Focus
The Flyers have been active around the edges this summer, adding veteran Michael Bunting and making a minor roster shuffle involving Jack Studnicka and Carl Grundstrom, but the bigger-picture trade chatter around the club still hangs over everything. Daniel Briere has not rushed into a significant move, and Elliotte Friedman has suggested the general manager is being careful about avoiding anything that does not fit the long-term plan, even as outside speculation keeps linking Philadelphia to the market.
Lately, though, the conversation has drifted toward Travis Konecny and a different kind of pressure point. Reports of frustration inside the organization regarding his performance have added another layer to the uncertainty, even if the source and reliability of those reports are not clear, which leaves the story more murky than settled. For a team that has not yet made a splashy trade, the tension around Konecny only makes the next move feel that much more significant. [Read more 🡒]