As the Philadelphia Flyers continue in their rebuild, they will be looking to further develop the youth they have on their roster.
It's the same youth who learned a tough lesson on how to close out games late in the season. A big part of the rebuild hinges on these younger players' development. Whether it is someone getting their first taste of the NHL or a prospect still looking to make their marks.
Not all of these rookies will make a huge impact on the team. But every player can play a role, even if it's a small one, in a team's success. It doesn't matter the position, the experience, etc. Even the smallest thing can end up helping out in the end.
Doing something big is just icing on the cake.
These rookies could help make an impact on the Flyers next season
Matvei Michkov
This one is obvious. Matvei Michkov adds a dynamic skill set to this Flyers roster. Don't expect him to be this team's savior, though. He's not here to take over and shouldn't be expected to carry Philadelphia on his shoulders. Instead, he can be another piece to the puzzle that Danny Briere is trying to put together.
Philadelphia is already a winner by having Michkov penciled into their lineup this season, two years ahead of schedule. He will have the ability to grow with a team that is looking to climb back into contending status. It might be better that he is not joining a team that is actively competing. This allows him to learn the league and make mistakes with a group that isn't do or die every game.
It's not just his shooting that teams need to look out for, though it's one of his best assets. Michkov's play with the puck will draw defenders to him and could open up his teammates in the meantime. His 22 assists with HK Sochi last season were the most he has had since his U16 days with Lokomotiv-2004 Yaroslavl in 2019-20.
Michkov will get every opportunity, earning it of course, to shine. If the Flyers have success this year, there's a good chance Michkov will have an impact on at least a part of it.