The Philadelphia Flyers are set for an important offseason, as they look to build a roster that can make it past the second round of the playoffs and into Stanley Cup champions. While the 2025-26 season can be viewed as a success, there is some concern surrounding one of their players — winger Matvei Michkov. His second season with the Flyers hadn't gone as planned, as he struggled with consistency and seemingly got on the bad side of head coach Rick Tocchet on multiple occasions in the regular season and playoffs. Michkov said he needed to be better next season, and immediately began working in the facility after their playoff elimination by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Even though Tocchet and general manager Danny Briere have continued to express their confidence in Michkov's future in Philadelphia, that hasn't stopped the trade rumors from circulating. There is now another head figure of the Flyers organization that is fully supportive of Michko.
During an interview with The Athletic's Kevin Kurz, Flyers governor Dan Hilferty spoke about Michkov's sophomore season, and said he feels he can be a factor on the team.
Dan Hilferty the latest member of Flyers to back Matvei Michkov
“When you think about Matvei Michkov — he scored (51) points in what you’d call sophomore slump season,” Hilferty said. “People are saying, is Matvei going to be OK? Our feeling is yes. He’s already rolled up his sleeves and is training at a level he needs to, to compete at the NHL level.”
For Michkov, the production wasn't there, which would make any fan concerned. What only escalated matters was Tocchet's public criticism of Michkov, revealing that the 21-year-old showed up to training camp out of shape. That then caused Briere to call an improptu press conference to let reporters and fans know that they still have belief in Michkov.
Michkov showed promise once they returned from the Olympic break, scoring seven goals and 15 assists in 26 games. With these numbers, he helped the Flyers' post-Olympics surge into clinching third place in the Metropolitan Division. But once the playoffs came around, Michkov disappeared, notching just one assist in eight games while averaging 11:50 of ice time. Tocchet made Michkov a healthy scratch for two games.
Even with Michkov seemingly under the microscope in terms of criticism, Hilferty said he still has faith in the regime in place and their process when it comes to evaluating and developing young talent.
“Think about where we were as a team at that moment (in early February),” Hilferty said. “We had a pretty solid start. We were in the early middle stages of the season, there was talk about us as a potential playoff contender, and then all of a sudden we hit a wall. I think it coincided where maybe Matvei was feeling some frustration on the ice, (with) his own play, maybe where he was being used and how he was being used. In that context, no, I was not upset.
“But it really gave us as a leadership group — Jonesy, Danny, Tocc, myself — an opportunity to sit down and talk about it. I couldn’t be prouder of the way Tocc speaks his mind and the way that Tocc treats each player, as much as you can treat each player, equally. So I thought it was good. I think in the long run, it will make Matvei a better pro.”
Based on Hilferty's comments, it does not sound like the Flyers are willing to give up on Michkov just yet. Unless there is a huge move to be made, which there really isn't this offseason, then fans will see if Michkov can take that next step in his third season in the pros. It will be all important, as Michkov will be due for a new contract after the 2026-27 season.
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