Flyers

Let’s Get Some Comcast Money to Russia to Aid the Matvei Michkov Buyout

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: May 20th, 2024 · 10:57 AM EDT

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You may have heard the rumor that Matty Michkov is coming to America in 2024 to play for the Flyers. It’s sourced to a Russian report saying that his KHL contract will be terminated. Anthony did some efforting and had this to say:

As you probably already read elsewhere (@KKurzNHL and @ADiMarco25 especially) the cost of the termination is purely on Michkov and his agent. The Flyers are not allowed to be involved. And the Flyers can only offer Michkov so much money on an ELC.

— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) May 20, 2024

These kinds of deals, while not frequent, aren’t unprecedented, which is why there is hope from the Flyers end that this can get across the finish line.
It’s not easy and has several moving parts, but there is momentum now which should bring resolution sooner instead of later.

— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) May 20, 2024

The Flyers “are not allowed to be involved,” but this is Russia we’re talking about here. There should be no problem throwing some money their way, under the table, real quiet-like. Maybe it’s bundle of cash delivered to St. Petersburg via natural gas pipeline. Or, everyone at SKA gets free Xfinity WIFI and the new streaming package with Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV+.

It was Markelle Fultz who once said “you really can’t trust nobody,” and he may as well be talking about the Russians. Don’t believe anything coming out of there. When Michkov touches down on American soil, then you get excited. Best case scenario it’s the latter portion of the Ivan Fedotov situation, where out of the blue we find out that he’s on his way, then bam, next thing you know he’s in goal at the Wells Fargo Center, getting peppered with shots.

Note that Michkov is still 19 years old. He turns 20 in December and spent the last season at Sochi, on loan. He played 47 games and scored 19 goals while adding 22 assists. He’s good enough to play for the Flyers right now, though he does not seem to be the hardest worker in his own zone, and we all know how John Tortorella feels about that.