97.5 The Fanatic Flyers Roundup: Michkov’s Slump, Rebound, First NHL Fine
The (first) Cutter Gauthier grudge match highlighted an even .500 West Coast swing. However, Philadelphia Flyers fans can focus on another former top pick who will impact their rebuild more prominently.
Matvei Michkov has survived his first NHL slump with indicators of his growth under head coach John Tortorella.
Seemingly unavoidable goaltending issues might still affect the season outlook, but the Flyers have a budding superstar on their roster.
- 12/28 at Honda Center (formerly Arrowhead Pond): Flyers 3, Anaheim Ducks 1
- 12/29 at Crypto.com Arena: Los Angeles Kings 5, Flyers 4
- 12/31 at SAP Center: Flyers 4, San Jose Sharks 0
- 1/2 at T-Mobile Arena: Vegas Golden Knights 5, Flyers 2
Growing Pains for Matvei Michkov
The Flyers expected growing pains when Matvei Michkov came to North America, and they noticed obvious examples in his most recent stretch of games.
The Russian phenom went seven consecutive games without a point from Dec. 12-28. He took a seat for the entire third period of the victory in Anaheim and finished with a career-low 9:01 of ice time.
When he’s not driving offense, he doesn’t make significant contributions to the game elsewhere.
“I think the schedule has kind of caught up with him. It’s going to happen. We’re asking so much out of a (20-year-old)… An NHL schedule, all this stuff. You could see his game drop before the break. Just his skating, his energy, it’s just not there. We’re going to try to help him. If I have to take him out or miss some time in periods, he’s going to (sit). In the big picture, we just want to try to help him get his energy back.” -John Tortorella
The writing was on the wall for a healthy scratch. However, Tortorella resisted the coaching method that’s driven so much outside criticism.
Michkov responded with a dynamic performance in Los Angeles one day later. He showed the skill and creativity with the puck that helped him storm out of the gates with 27 points in his first 27 NHL games.
He banked the puck off Kings goaltender David Rittich from a nearly impossible angle fully below the goal line into the opposing cage for a second period tally. He also assisted Scott Laughton’s goal in the first period.
Michkov consistently draws comparisons to his countryman Nikita Kucherov for his playmaking vision. However, he showed a little bit of Evgeni Malkin in him too.
Kings center Quinton Byfield earned a roughing penalty by throwing a punch at Michkov, but the Flyers rookie responded by swinging his stick too high toward Byfield’s head. The exchange was reminiscent of a wincing 2019 incident between Malkin and Jakub Voracek.
The referees assessed coincidental minors, but Michkov earned his first NHL fine for the retaliation.
Related Content: How John Tortorella Feels About Matvei Michkov Attempting The ‘Michigan Goal’
His general manager Danny Briere certainly wasn’t above a hit to the wallet during a 17-year NHL career. The Flyers will keep player safety in consideration, but they’ll also notice Michkov’s intensity playing with an edge.
The rookie went scoreless in the final two games in the Western time zone. However, he showed the ability to respond to a slump in his strong performance against the Kings.
Tortorella also showed restraint in his attempts to help Michkov’s development most effectively without resorting to the healthy scratch as a blanket solution.
Flyers Prospects at the World Juniors
The World Junior Championship showcases the best amateur prospects every holiday season. Five Flyers prospects earned roster spots entering the tournament at the Canadian Tire Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators.
Jett Luchanko and Oliver Bonk, first-round picks from Briere’s first two NHL Drafts as a general manager, played for Team Canada in a disappointing tournament that ended in the quarterfinals.
Luchanko scored an impressive shorthanded goal against Latvia in the preliminary round. He could fit Brad Shaw’s “power kill” someday in a longer opportunity than his four-game NHL audition to begin the 2024-25 season.
Bonk has scored six goals and added 15 assists in 24 OHL games this season. He wears a letter as an assistant captain for the London Knights, considered one of the best junior programs in the world to prepare players for the NHL.
Heikki Ruohonen has helped Team Finland advance to the semifinal round. Philadelphia’s fourth-round choice from 2024 showed impressive flashes at Flyers Development Camp in Vorhees in July.
Jack Berglund made Team Sweden’s initial roster but suffered an untimely injury that kept him out of the tournament. The Flyers drafted the 6-foot-4 center in the second round in 2024. He’s bounced between the two highest professional levels in Sweden this season.
Goaltender Carson Bjarnason didn’t dress for Team Canada during the tournament. His professional timeline is sooner than fellow goaltending prospect Yegor Zavragin. He’s a possible option between the pipes for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2025-26.
Sweden will take on Finland while Team USA faces Czechia in the semifinals.
“Disney On Ice Trip” in the Rearview
Disney On Ice booted the Flyers and the Sixers from the Wells Fargo Center through New Year’s. Both teams will return next week.
When the Flyers hired Tortorella, they owned a brutal 3-20-4 combined record in road games immediately following the holiday pause dating back to the 2014-15 season.
Their fiery bench boss has led them to a 7-4-1 record during the Mouse’s dreaded occupation of their home arena. They’ll finish the long road stretch in their own time zone against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Flyers start a four-game homestand on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The highlight will be the anticipated grudge match against Gauthier and the Ducks in the notorious castoff’s first NHL game in Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Philadelphia prevented Gauthier from making an impact during their matchup in Anaheim. He’s scored five goals and added 12 assists in 36 games this season for a Ducks team struggling to stay in playoff contention.
The Eagles will also host a playoff game the same weekend. Prepare yourself for a whirlwind in South Philadelphia.
Upcoming Schedule
- Sunday 1/5 @ Toronto Maple Leafs, 7pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
- Tuesday 1/7 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
- Thursday 1/9 vs. Dallas Stars, 7pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
- Saturday 1/11 vs. Anaheim Ducks, 7pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
