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Grading the Philadelphia Flyers 2023 First-Round Picks

By Jonathan Bailey

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Matvei Michkov is selected by the Philadelphia Flyers with seventh overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Matvei Michkov is selected by the Philadelphia Flyers with seventh overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Matvei Michkov speaks to members of the media after being selected by the Flyers. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Matvei Michkov speaks to members of the media after being selected by the Flyers. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) /

The Philadelphia Flyers struck gold at seventh overall when Matvei Michkov slid down to them, before drafting Oliver Bonk 22nd. 

All eyes were on the Philadelphia Flyers prior to the start of the 2023 NHL Draft. After acquiring the 22nd pick in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, first-time general manager Daniel Briere set out to acquire another first-round pick. Ultimately, that didn’t happen, but Briere and the Flyers still managed to come away with two key pieces to build towards the future with.

Star Russian forward Matvei Michkov managed to avoid being taken by both the Arizona Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens, allowing the Philadelphia Flyers to draft Michkov without much resistance. It was rumored that the Washington Capitals coveted Michkov, but obviously none of the teams ahead of the Flyers were willing to negotiate a trade, and instead stood their ground and made their own picks. As a result, the Capitals had to settle for Ryan Leonard. In a different draft or at a different time in the world, Michkov probably goes second overall behind Connor Bedard. Given his status as a KHL player until 2026 and scouts’ concerns over his belonging to his homeland of Russia, it wasn’t that simple. Still, the Flyers did the right thing by drafting Michkov. With a pick this high, teams should always draft for value, and that’s exactly what Daniel Briere and the Flyers did.

Matvei Michkov is a star talent, no doubt about it. Michkov broke Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov’s Russian U-17 scoring record, and scored 13 points in five games as the Russian U-18s won a gold medal in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2021. Then, Michkov went on to win the MHL Kharlamov Cup whilst leading the team in goals, as well as scoring the Cup-clinching goal. Not only is Michkov talented, he isn’t afraid of the bright lights either. That is something that was reiterated with Philadelphia Flyers brass in their draft meetings. Daniel Briere said “[Matvei Michkov] told us he wants to play in the NHL. He told us he wants to win a Stanley Cup. He told us he wanted to be a Flyer”. Michkov doubled down on what Briere said, saying that “Right now, it’s important for me to finish the goal my dad had for me: winning a Stanley Cup”. Not bad for a guy who nobody thought would come to North America and play in the NHL.

Matvei Michkov still has a three-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, which runs until 2026. Daniel Briere doesn’t currently believe Michkov will be available to attend the Philadelphia Flyers’ development camp, but it’s too early to tell. Based on Michkov’s eagerness to come to Philadelphia after his contract is up, this pick is a home run.

Grade: A+

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