Matvei Michkov signs entry-level deal with Flyers

The news that every Flyers fan has been waiting for has dropped. The Matvei Michkov era in Philadelphia is about to begin.

After news dropped that Michkov's contract was being bought out in the KHL, fans had been eagerly awaiting for his arrival. While he is not expected to be at the Flyers upcoming development camp, he is now under contract. Michkov has signed his three-year, entry-level deal this afternoon.

While the contract has a cap hit of 950K, Michkov can turn that into 4.45M each year thanks to a $95,000 signing bonus and up to 3.5M in performance bonuses.

"I’m extremely happy to officially become a part of the Flyers family," Michkov said in the Flyers release. "Being in the NHL has been a dream for me since childhood. I would like to say a huge thank you to the Flyers management for their trust. I will do everything possible to meet their expectations. I can't wait to join my teammates and start preparing for the new season together, and I would especially like to greet our fans. We have the same dream to win the Stanley Cup and I promise that will do my best to help this team and make that possible.""

Matvei Michkov puts ink to paper on beginning of Flyers contract

It has been a whirlwind since news broke in May of the chance for Michkov to come to Philadelphia earlier than expected. Optimism grew a little over a week ago that a deal was forthcoming. Two days later, Michkov's contract was terminated in the KHL.

The Flyers, at the time of drafting Michkov, expected him to remain in the KHL for three seasons. That and the ever changing political landscape that allowed him to drop to Philadelphia in the first place. There was never a thought, at least not one verbalized out loud, that Michkov would have a chance to leave before his contract was up.

It was a big swing for the Flyers to make. And one they were more than comfortable with. No one knew that they had met with Michkov in Voorhees before the draft. That's how quiet Philadelphia was about their plans. And when he fell to them at seven, everything came to fruition.

Michkov tore up the junior league in Russia, posting 68 goals and 107 points in 84 career games in the MHL. He fared rather well in the KHL, recording 30 goals and 66 points in 91 games, most of that coming on loan with HK Sochi.

The Flyers are about to reap the rewards of this decision much earlier than expected. Michkov is officially a Philadelphia Flyer.