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.

What type of production should the #Habs be expecting from Josh Anderson next season? https://t.co/V8I8X9hzUL

– HabsWorld.net (@habsworld_net) August 3, 2023

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

The Laval Rocket announced on Thursday that the team has agreed to terms on a one-season contract (2023-2024 – AHL, two prongs) with forward Nolan Yaremko.
More: https://t.co/eFqobJaOmB

The Laval Rocket announced on Thursday that the team has agreed to terms on a… pic.twitter.com/2J1mZ4X0SX

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) August 3, 2023

– Carl Soderberg announces his retirement.

Carl Soderberg has officially announced his retirement from the @NHL after 9 seasons.

Drafted 49th overall to the @StLouisBlues in 2004, Carl began his NHL career with the @NHLBruins in the 2012-13 season. Since then, he’s played in 597 regular-season games and scored 297 points… pic.twitter.com/HAK5gmNvN0

– NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) August 3, 2023

– Yes Daddy!

The @NBA, once again, gives MONTREAL another game at the bell center. OKC vs Detroit. It’s obvious that Adam Silver and his colleagues love our basketball city. Two groups want to buy and bring an #NBA franchise to Quebec. It’s gonna happen one day! #YesPapa

– Peter Yannopoulos (@PeteYannopoulos) August 3, 2023

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