Matvei Michkov’s future in Philly: “It’s very clear there’s a problem”

Marc-Olivier Cook
Matvei Michkov’s future in Philly: “It’s very clear there’s a problem”
Credit: Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images

Things aren't going well for Matvei Michkov in Philadelphia.

And when I say bad… I might as well say “really bad.”

The young Flyers player was benched for his team's Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Michkov didn't play in his team's final game of the 2025–26 season, and there's a reason behind it all: he wasn't playing the right way, so Rick Tocchet had had enough.

The forward (with an offensive style) finished his playoff run with a big haul… of one point in seven games. He picked up an assist in Game 6 of the Flyers' series against the Penguins, but that's it.

That's not enough for a player like him. Especially considering he's not exactly the most intense guy on the ice…

This naturally raises questions about his future in Philly. And as Elliotte Friedman mentioned on his podcast, there's clearly an issue right now regarding Michkov and the Flyers.

In his first NHL season, Matvei Michkov had some good moments.

He tallied 63 points (26 goals) and finished the season as his team's second-leading scorer, behind Travis Konecny.

But the 2025–26 season was tougher for the Russian. He may have been a victim of the sophomore slump… but it's not normal to see him benched twice by his coach during the recent playoffs.

That should never have happened under normal circumstances, at least.

Does the young player need a change of scenery?

Do the Flyers want to build around him in the coming years, given that he doesn't always have the right attitude on the ice and that his level of commitment is still a topic of discussion three years after he was drafted by the organization?

These are questions that must be running through Daniel Brière's mind. But one thing is certain: if Michkov becomes available, there will be teams interested in his services.

And it would likely become the hot topic in the National Hockey League…


In a nutshell

– Wow.

– What do you think?

– Yeah!

– Awesome.

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