You need to forgive us sometimes with highly heralded prospects. We've been burned before. Some guys who've been regarded as great super prospects either fell to injuries (Sam Morin, Nolan Patrick) or were never able to be much of anything (Jay O'Brien, German Rubtsov). However, Flyers' rookie Matvei Michkov has been better than advertised.
Matvei currently leads all NHL rookies with nine goals. The next closest is San Jose's Macklin Celebrini. Makes sense; after all, he was the number one overall pick in the draft last June. Matvei's 19 points also lead all rookies with Dallas' Logan Stankoven a distant second place at 15 points. In 21 games, Michkov is scoring at an impressive .83 points a game. At this rate, he could become the first Flyer to ever bring home the Calder Trophy.
In both points and goals, Michkov is second only to Travis Konecny for the team leads. In assists, Michkov is tied for second with Travis Sanheim.
It's more than just the fact that he is scoring goals. Scoring goals at any time is good. It's when he is scoring them. Four of his nine goals, as well as five of his 10 assists, have come on the power play. In short, between goals and assists, Michkov has been involved in nine of Philly's 12 power-play goals.
It's not just on the power play where Michkov has been clutch. If you've noticed, the Flyers have been playing a lot of overtime games lately. In ten overtime games this season, they own a 7-3 record. In November, three of those games went into the win column thanks to Michkov scoring in the extra frame.
"There’s not many moments you’re going to get, so when you get (the) moment, you have to be cold-blooded and finish it,” Michkov said through a translator after his overtime goal against the Blackhawks.
It would be great if he could get more goals while at even strength. Maybe that's part of what head coach John Tortorella is trying to work on. Thanks to Michkov, the Flyers are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and have won three in a row.
He's still young and has a lot to work on. We are seeing a glimpse of what he can become. Hopefully, he can continue on this trajectory. And as he rises, hopefully, the Flyers will rise up as well.