Matvei Michkov made a big splash in his first unofficial game for the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.
In a rookie match against the New York Rangers, Michkov quickly showed why he was worth the wait. The 19-year-old scored his first goal and displayed the impressive skills that led to him being picked No. 7 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Michkov’s goal came at 6:56 of the second period during a power play. He positioned himself near the net and hammered home a perfect pass from the point. This is great news for both Michkov and the Flyers, who struggled with power plays last season, finishing 27th in the league. He also showed off his creativity and surprising strength (5-foot-10, 147 pounds) behind the net .
Michkov’s Playmaking Skills:
He didn’t just score; Michkov also demonstrated his excellent passing ability. He set up several smooth breakouts and created high-percentage chances for his teammates. Despite some past criticism about his defensive play in Russia’s KHL, he was active defensively too.
Fans might think this debut shows great promise for Michkov’s future with the Flyers.
The reason Michkov fell to No. 7 in the draft was many believed it would take years before he’d be ready for NHL action. But he surprised everyone by coming to North America early, announcing his plans back in June.
All eyes were on him during this game, even though it ended with a shootout loss to the Rangers, 4-3. What mattered most was that Michkov lived up to expectations.
Sure, he played against other rookies this time around. But imagine how much more impactful he’ll be when playing alongside seasoned players when the Flyers start their regular season on Oct. 11 against Vancouver Canucks!
What do you think about Michkov’s debut?
