Matvei Michkov is ready to become the Flyers’ next top star

The Philadelphia Flyers just missed out on the Stanley Cup playoffs last year – but the fanbase is already optimistic about 2024-25.

Not because they’re expected to be serious contenders – they aren’t. But with Matvei Michkov set to play a huge role with the team this season, the future of the team’s offensive core is ready to make his mark much earlier than expected.

Michkov had previously signed a deal in the KHL that would keep him in Russia until at least 2026. But he and SKA St. Petersburg came to a deal that allowed Michkov to make the jump to the NHL right away, and early reviews are tantalizing.

On the first edition of Daily Faceoff Live, Frank Seravalli said he thinks Michkov has the chance to not only become a big part of the Flyers, but that he’ll become one of the next NHL stars, as well:

Tyler Yaremchuk: “Give me one player who’s going to work his way into that star superstar conversation this season.”

Frank Seravalli: Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers. His NHL debut is on Friday in Vancouver. He’s actually exceeded the Flyers’ expectations in training camp. Their level was pretty high to begin with. What they love about him is that he competes like an absolute junkyard dog. And the Flyers are really excited for that combination of compete and skill.

“I’m not predicting a massive 85-, 90-point season. But what we are looking for from Michkov this season is to really supplant himself as the future of that team, which a lot of people have viewed for the last couple years. It’s so exciting from a Flyers perspective that weren’t expecting to have him for a few years to now begin to get a taste of that. And one year older, having again played with men in the KHL, he’s entering already ready to compete.

“So if you saw an over-under floating around out there at 47 and a half, I would smash that 47 and a half points.”

You can watch the full episode below: