Emily Kaplan just reported that Matvei Michkov has not formally requested a trade from the Flyers.
That's a sharp turn on a story that broke this afternoon, when Kevin Weekes reported that Michkov asked Philadelphia to move him. Within hours, the story has two versions.
Kaplan's information goes straight at the first report, and she adds that it was "news to the Flyers front office."
-
The post doesn't say whether Michkov has spoken privately with anyone in the organization about his future. It only says no formal request has been made and that management was surprised by the report. Nothing beyond that is confirmed.
Michkov is 21 and was drafted seventh overall by Philadelphia in 2023. He has 10 goals and 14 points in 20 games this season, five of those goals on the power play.
The team around him is struggling. The Flyers sit 27th in the NHL at 5-10-5, and Michkov is at -11, the kind of number that tends to follow a player into any contract or trade conversation.
Monday night in Vancouver, Philadelphia won 3-1 behind Joseph Woll, and Michkov picked up an assist in 15:26 of ice time.
Would the Flyers really trade Matvei Michkov?
They shouldn't. A 21-year-old with 10 goals through 20 games, on a team that has scored 45 times all season, is the one scoring piece Daniel Briere can't afford to guess on. If the Flyers are in a hurry to move him, they're making a mistake.
The contract adds a wrinkle. His entry-level deal runs through this season, and he's an RFA when it expires, with no extension signed. Any trade request, formal or otherwise, would land in the middle of that negotiation.
Usage has been the thread running through all of this. We looked at Michkov's minutes under Rick Tocchet on Saturday, and the questions about his ice time were already there before today's reports.
The Flyers play at Edmonton on Wednesday, and Tocchet and Briere will almost certainly be asked about Michkov before then. Their answers will say a lot about which version of this story holds up.
Quick hits
MONTREAL CANADIENS: Jacob Fowler draws Jesper Wallstedt tonight at the Bell Centre, on Carey Price night. Minnesota's beat confirmed the goalie matchup. That's a big stage for a young netminder.
-
NASHVILLE PREDATORS: Roman Josi needs one point in Los Angeles tonight to become the first Switzerland-born player to reach 800 career points. Don't be surprised if it happens early.
-
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: Colorado Hockey Now projects MacKenzie Blackwood in net for the Avalanche against the Leafs tonight, with Scott Wedgewood backing up. Toronto is looking to snap a skid.
-
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: Trevor van Riemsdyk was a full participant in practice this morning after being cleared for contact, Pens Inside Scoop reports. San Jose is next on the schedule.
-
INJURY: Jean-Gabriel Pageau sat out Islanders practice in San Jose on Tuesday for a maintenance day, Andrew Gross and Ethan Sears confirmed. No further detail was given, so the lines are in flux.
-
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Should the Flyers trade Matvei Michkov if he does ask out?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Ugly scenes in Winnipeg as sweater hits ice and chants erupt before Devils game
