Get On Board the Matvei Michkov Train Now Flyers Fans

Do you play the lottery when it approaches a billion dollars? Everyone rolls into their local Wawa and grabs a chance that they could end up having a fortune fall into their laps. Well, Flyers fans, you just won the Powerball jackpot with Matvei Michkov, and the winnings could turn the tide for the franchise for years to come!

It’s been 32 years since the Flyers organization ended up landing an impact player like Matvei Michkov. That guy was Eric Lindros and for a decade in a Flyers uniform he battled injuries amidst some amazing success. Though the Stanley Cup dream was never realized, his impact on the organization and local hockey was tangible. Michkov could make that same impact and will be the building block for everything that happens in Flyers country for hopefully the next 15 seasons.

This is just my opinion, but I believe it to be an informed one. I don’t believe that the Flyers master plan for the 2024-25 season is going to drastically change. I don’t expect that they now see themselves as true playoff contenders even with the immense skill set that Michkov brings.

I would figure they will attempt to find a veteran mentor, maybe a player of Russian descent, that could help him transition to life in America and the NHL. Other than that, it will be a “stay the course” strategy.

Related: The Flyers 1 Goal Now That Matvei Michkov Is Coming Over

I’m excited to bring you some coverage from Las Vegas this weekend for the NHL Draft. I don’t expect there to be a lot of fireworks surrounding the event. It should land them another foundational talent and there is a chance they could combine the 12th pick and Florida’s selection to move up into the Top 10.

My thought is that we should expect to see some salary cap clearing where available and if someone wanted one of their higher ticket item players a deal could be swung. This team is in it to rebuild the right way. Briere will not be willing to take short cuts. They want this team to be fixed for the long haul. They won’t let next year's 50th Anniversary of their last Stanley Cup hurry them into short sighted moves.

Despite the best attempts of many in the Flyers media corps to get John Tortorella fired, thankfully the organization doesn’t let them call the shots. A task master like Tortorella is going to be the perfect way for Michkov to learn about what the NHL is and what the demands on him should be. He is a player that reportedly enjoys tough coaching and a guy like Torts might seem like a walk in the park compared to some of the disciplinary types that lead the Russian Elite teams.

I worked for the Flyers organization and then was estranged for 33 years! I know what it is like to leave and come back. My circumstances were different than yours, but I’m a perfect example that fandom can be rekindled.

This is the perfect time for you to get reacquainted with that team you loved growing up! There is no shame in picking back up that Orange and Black sweater and loving hockey again. If you ever needed a reason to fall back in love with the Flyers, this is it!

The Philadelphia Flyers currently own 10 picks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Danny Briere will make his first selection at the Las Vegas Sphere in the 12th-overall spot. The Flyers also own the first-round pick of the Florida Panthers.

The first round will take place on Friday, June 28 at 7pm EST. Rounds 2-7 will take place on Saturday, June 29 beginning at 11:30am EST.

The Flyers have sold at four consecutive trade deadlines. They’ve stockpiled an impressive arsenal of picks to restock the prospect cupboard and provide ammo for trades.

One of the 10 picks, a second-round pick acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, could be used either in 2024 or 2025. It will not be determined until after the draft begins.

The Flyers also currently own two picks in each of the first two rounds in 2025.

Danny Briere and assistant general manager Brent Flahr will easily identify needs up and down a flawed roster during the rebuild. However, most players in the NHL Draft are 18 or about to turn 18 before the upcoming season.

Most of them stay in junior hockey, play at the NCAA level, or play professionally overseas in the seasons immediately following the draft.

Organizational needs can change quickly, and selecting the “best player available” provides the best long-term strategy.

The unrelenting passion of Philadelphia sports fans sometimes creates conversation about the local teams moving up in their respective drafts to land a crown jewel of the first round.

Trades in the top half of the first round aren’t nearly as common in the NHL Draft as they are in other sports, however. Deals throughout draft weekend are much likelier to include current NHL players. Front office executives have the opportunity to negotiate with important league personnel all in one place.

Related Content: Reevaluating The Flyers Rebuild After The 2023-24 Season

Briere, Flahr, and the Philadelphia Flyers front office will also consider the priority of the rebuild to find the high-end skill players who can skate at the top of the lineup for a Stanley Cup contender.

They’ve passed on the opportunity to bottom out with sights on higher draft lottery odds, so they might consider taking chances of less certain players with higher ceilings and lower basements if they’re picking 12th.

Defenseman, London Knights (OHL)

Keith Jones respects the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League as much as any junior program in the world.

His friend and former teammate Dale Hunter runs the organization to prepare players for the NHL and other professional opportunities.

The Flyers drafted Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey out of London in 2023.

Could Sam Dickinson follow in the footsteps of his two former teammates?

Left Winger, US National Development Team Program (USHL)

Eiserman became the latest top prospect with a big year offensively for the US National Team Development Program.

The Flyers have selected Joel Farabee, Cam York, and Cutter Gauthier with first-round picks out of the USNTDP in recent drafts.

All three went directly to NCAA hockey in their first seasons after getting drafted. Eiserman will attend Boston University next season.

Center, Guelph Storm (OHL)

Craig Button of TSN mocked Jett Luchanko to the Flyers in the 12th-overall spot. The 17-year-old averaged over a point per game in the OHL last season. His performance helped him rise through draft boards despite beginning the season with less of a reputation.

The Flyers will search for players who can reach the high ceiling of a top-line forward. They could take a chance on Luchanko if he’s available.

Center, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Catton broke out offensively at the junior level right before reaching draft eligibility. He scored 116 points in 2023-24 in the Western Hockey League, among the top junior leagues in Canada.

The Flyers would love to see the high-scoring center slip to the 12th-overall spot. However, most mock drafts have him off the board in the top 10.

Center, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Injuries limited Lindstrom to only 32 WHL games in 2023-24. However, scouts know the Canadian Hockey League (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) better than any other talent pool that produces top NHL Draft prospects.

The limited sample size might not factor in as much into the evaluation as it might for an international prospect with less scouting information.

The 6-foot-4 forward might play center or wing in the NHL. If he’s available when the Flyers pick, they’ll unquestionably gush at his size and potential.

Left Winger, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

The Calgary Flames hold the ninth-overall pick. Would they pass on the son of Jarome Iginla, arguably the best player in their franchise history?

If he somehow slips past the Flames, the Flyers will consider Tij Iginla. The industry consensus ranks him in the top half of the first round.

Right Winger, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

The Athletic mocked Beckett Sennecke to the Flyers in the 12th-overall spot. They described him as a “highly skilled winger with size and smooth skating.”

Although a right winger doesn’t fill an organizational void, Briere and Flahr should not pass on the best player available because of a perceived surplus at a position.

The future of some of Philadelphia’s right wingers is anything but certain. Sennecke still has time before he’ll be an NHL contributor. Things change quickly. 

The Flyers also had success drafting Scott Laughton out of Oshawa in 2012.

Center, Jokerit (Liiga, Finland)

The Hockey Writers called Helenius “one of the most well-rounded prospects available in 2024.”

The 5-foot-11 center played in 2023-24 in Liiga in Finland, one of the best professional leagues in the world.

The Flyers likely won’t prioritize NHL-ready prospects as a draft strategy. Helenius might also come off the board before they make their pick.

Defenseman, US National Team Development Program

The Flyers own two first-round picks that will fall at least 19 picks apart. The opportunity allows them to consider players projected in different ranges of the draft.

EJ Emery could be a target with the pick landed in the Claude Giroux trade in March 2022.

The Flyers could also receive an early second-round pick from Columbus, and it’s realistic to land Emery if he slips a few extra sports.

Center, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Corey Pronman projected Cole Beaudoin as a third-line NHL center. He also comes from the heavily-scouted OHL, which doesn’t produce as many surprises as other sources of draft prospects.

Although the Flyers will more likely search for a player with a higher ceiling in the 12th-overall spot, Beaudoin could be a target with Philadelphia’s second selection in the first round.

Defenseman, Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 

Players slip down draft boards every year. The 2024 NHL Draft doesn’t have the typical level of consensus as past drafts.

Carter Yakemchuk will most likely come off the board before the Flyers pick. However, if the opportunity presents itself, Danny Briere should pounce on arguably the best defenseman available in the draft.