There’s no denying that the biggest Philadelphia Flyers fan event of the year is the day that star prospect Matvei Michkov signs a contract and joins the team in the real world. And that day may now arrive sooner than any of us had anticipated.
Alexander Medvedev, the chairman of SKA St. Petersburg, could not completely rule out the prospect of Michkov joining Philadelphia and the NHL as early as the next season in an interview that was largely translated for the Russian site Match TV.
“We have communication with Philadelphia, unlike the circumstances surrounding Ivan Fedotov. The Flyers’ management makes no secret of their desire for Matvey to join them and give the NHL a go. However, if you move quickly, the contract must include a provision stating that he may return if Philadelphia decides to send him to the AHL. However, given that Michkov is legally bound by a contract with SKA, it is premature to discuss the matter. Philadelphia also promised us that they wouldn’t renounce any of our contractual rights.
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As the chairman stated in what may have been a fairly poor translation, if the Flyers and SKA came to an agreement for Michkov to travel abroad this summer, there would need to be a clause stating that he would have to spend the remainder of the season in the KHL if he didn’t make the NHL team or even if they considered sending him down to the minor leagues. Given that Michkov is already lighting the KHL on fire at his age and is just growing better, we may hope that he could make the Flyers out of any training camp. That is very understandable and has occurred to many Russian prospects in the past.
Before Michkov’s two-year KHL contract expires, Medvedev considered when he should truly leave Russia and what could initiate the process of moving to North America.
“I believe it would be best to depart like Panarin or Ovechkin. When you’re traveling between the NHL and the AHL and you’ve already made a name for yourself in Russia, the head of SKA St. Petersburg stated. “We must never forget that Matvey went through a horrible tragedy when he lost his father, who served as both a constant mentor and guide for him. Whether you’re playing in Moscow or Sochi, where everything reminds you of this loss, it’s difficult psychologically. Perhaps a shift in environment will facilitate adaptation.
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If Medvedev is to be believed, Michkov will ultimately make the final choice. That much seems certain.
“We are aware of Matvey’s exceptional skill. Nothing is worth talking about. I believe we’ll first discuss all of our alternatives with him. We have excellent relations with the executives in Philadelphia, with whom we will also speak. You are going to be patient, and there is understanding. I believe that Michkov will be decided upon by the end of June at the latest.
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While we certainly don’t want to raise our expectations, nothing that seems to have been expressed by Medvedev could discourage us from being upbeat. The Flyers and SKA appear to have a very good relationship and understanding of the situation, and they have established a broad timeline to discuss any potential with the top prospect and his options. All of this points to a significant advancement that will hopefully see Michkov make his NHL debut before the opening game of the 2026–2027 season, as everyone had anticipated.
The summer of the Flyers has become much more intriguing.
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