Images: Matvei Michkov stands out in his first KHL preparatory game

Fans of the Flyers, and of the NHL in general, will enjoy following the activities of SKA St. Petersburg next season.

The reason is simple. Everyone will want to examine Matvei Michkov’s performance.

We know the story, and I don’t think I need to repeat it. One of the most promising prospects of the 2023 draft has returned to Russia to continue his development, and the KHL season is about to begin.

That said, the league’s various teams are quietly getting ready for the start of the next campaign, and SKA St. Petersburg is no exception. Mishkov and his team-mates were playing their very first preparatory game against HC Admiral, and for the occasion, the Flyers prospect was given a new role.

Playing center, Michkov finished the game with a goal and an assist.

Particularly impressive was his pass on Ivan Demidov’s goal, a play that demonstrated his great vision on the ice:

THAT PASS
🚨 #2024NHLDraft Ivan Demidov
🍎#FueledByPhilly Matvei Michkov
1-0 SKA #SochiHockeyOpen pic.twitter.com/4DZnoITBIb

– Field hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 3, 2023

Mishkov is a natural winger, but his coaches wanted to evaluate him in a position in which he shouldn’t have been comfortable.

But the Russian was so good that SKA St. Petersburg is considering converting him to center next season.

At the end of the game, even though SKA had lost, the two clubs faced off in a friendly shootout…

And I’ll let you guess who scored the winning goal.

In the shootout for fun, add a shootout winner for … guess who?

🚨 #FueledByPhilly Matvei Michkov SO

SKA wins shootout 2-1 #SochiHockeyOpen pic.twitter.com/H8B2lY9jje

– Field hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 3, 2023

So it’s a successful debut for Matvei Michkov in his “first game” of the KHL season.

We’re only talking about a preparatory game, of course… But it’s still a good sign for what’s to come.

Michkov and SKA St. Petersburg will officially begin their season on September 2, when they take on Dinamo Minsk.

In gusto

– I’d like to see him reach the 25-goal plateau. He can do it.

– Rocket agree to one-year contract with Nolan Yaremko.

– Carl Soderberg announces his retirement.

– Yes Daddy!

– If he loses his fight to Nate Diaz, Jake Paul could retire from boxing.