Matvei Michkov, Ivan Fedotov invited to NHLPA Rookie Showcase

The 14th annual Rookie Showcase is just around the corner. It's an event hosted by the NHLPA and Upper Deck that features some of the league's top prospects and rookies. Among the 33 players attending, Matvei Michkov and Ivan Fedotov will represent the Flyers.

The event will occur on Sept. 4 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia. The showcase is less about showing off their skills and gives Upper Deck a chance to gather photos and used merchandise for their trading cards. There will be a light scrimmage at the end where players can show themselves off, but that is not the event's main focus.

This will give Flyers fans their first look at Michkov in a Flyers' uniform on the ice as players will be dressed in full team equipment during the day.

Michkov, Fedotov invited to NHLPA Rookie Showcase

The interesting part of this is Fedotov's involvement in the event. By NHL rules, Fedotov is not considered a rookie due to his age. He turned 27 in November last year, even though he was not in the league then. It's unlikely that the league is bending the rules in his case so they simply may consider him a prospect for Philadelphia.

Fedotov came to the Flyers late last season and appeared in three games. The numbers are rough, but it isn't fair to judge him based on the circumstances he had to play under. Sam Ersson was burned out but needed to play. The team was collapsing down the stretch, trying to cling to a playoff spot. Fedotov had to break in new equipment at the same time, not an easy thing for a goaltender to do.

He enters training camp as the likely backup to Ersson and a full season of work will be a much better judge of what he can do in the NHL.

For Michkov, he is the Flyers' top prospect and will arrive in the league two years ahead of schedule. The Flyers have already reaped the benefits of drafting him seventh overall last year. They will take their time with him and won't put all their hopes on him saving the team.

But he does add much-needed firepower to the lineup. He has a chance to become the first Flyer to ever bring home the Calder Trophy, something most places have him pegged to do. He will have every opportunity to prove himself and will be put into spots that will help him grow as a player. And learning under John Tortorella is a great place to start.

There will be plenty of other top prospects in attendance including 2024 first-overall selection Macklin Celebrini and teammate Will Smith. Former Flyers' prospect Cutter Gauthier will be there. Dalibor Dvorsky, while fighting for a spot on the Blues roster this upcoming season, is a participant as well.

Training camp will be right around the corner as the Flyers will begin on Sept 18. Hockey season is almost back folks.