The Philadelphia Flyers got hot at the right time last season. Philadelphia finished third in the Metropolitan Division and took down archrivals Pittsburgh Penguins in the first-round of the playoffs. The Flyers got swept in the second-round against the Carolina Hurricanes. Philadelphia has a lot to build on for the upcoming 2026-2027 NHL season.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 25: Matvei Michkov #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts after scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period at the Wells Fargo Center on November 25, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
One of the bright spots is Porter Martone. Another question that this organization is going to have is about forward Matvei Michkov. He was scratched for a couple of games in the playoffs last season for the Flyers. Michkov has to be one of the building blocks for this organization for the future. He was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft by Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniele Briere Has High Confidence in Matvei Michkov
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 20: Dan Vladar #80 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates with Matvei Michkov #39 following a 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 20, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
If the Flyers are going to take their game to another level, Michkov is going to have to be great for this franchise. In 81 games last season, he scored 20 goals and recorded 31 assists, and his plus/minus rating was 0. Daniel Briere, the general manager for the Flyers, said to Adam Kimelman of NHL.com,
“We believe in him. Now he just has to come back and do it, and do it for the whole year and lead us into the playoffs. We think he has that in him. He’s the type of kid that will want to prove to everybody that he’s got too much talent, and combine that with the competitiveness, for him not to succeed.”
He is only 21 years old. After the 2026-2027 season concludes, Michkov will become a restricted free agent. It is going to be interesting to see what kind of year he is going to have with the Flyers. If he has a great season with Philadelphia, Briere will have no issue with rewarding him with a contract extension. If Michkov doesn’t see eye-to-eye with head coach Rick Tocheet and other problems arise, then he may not be back in 2027-2028 and beyond with the franchise here.
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