Flyers

NHL Dream Fulfilled, Matvei Michkov is Here to Win

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jul 24th, 2024 · 11:35 AM EDT

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Imagine being in Asia on Tuesday and now you’re in New Jersey on Wednesday. One exotic locale to the next! That’s reality for Matvei Michkov, who did his first press conference as a Philadelphia Flyer.

He was joined at the table by General Manager Danny Briere, and Flyers consultant Slava Kuznetsov, who served as Russian translator.

Some notes:

• On the process of ending his KHL contract and coming to the U.S. – “He had a dream to play in the NHL. His club, SKA, made it possible and released him. Now he’s here.”
• Briere on the last few weeks: “We started hearing rumblings after the season that there was a possibility. We talked to his representatives, his agent to understand what was going on. They did most of the work. It was definitely exciting when we realized there was a strong possibility it could happen. It was definitely a long wait. when we drafted him last year we never thought this would happen. (It’s) part of the reason why he fell to us, cause he would have gone a lot earlier. We know that. We felt we were in a position to wait three years for him to come. To have this opportunity is amazing, to get him early at 19 years old, to learn under a coach like Torts and the coaching staff we have, I think it’s a great opportunity for him and to us, to have him early.“
• The Flyers were in contact a lot, watched him play, telling him what he can do with his game.
• It was a long flight, long travel day, but he was on the ice Wednesday and feels like he can get better and better
• Danny Briere says they’re not putting the “savior of the franchise” title on the shoulders of a 19 year old. He’s here to “learn and expand his game” and that the sky is the limit. They’re hoping he becomes one of many pieces that need to come together to create a contender. Michkov says the main idea was always to win. That’s what he’s here to do, to play his style and win.
• When drafting Michkov, Briere says they had no expectation of him coming over this quickly. If the Russian contract thing didn’t exist, he thinks he would have been the 2nd or 3rd overall pick.
• Briere noted the offensive skill, but talked about learning “the other side of the ice” under John Tortorella. Translation: Torts is gonna teach this dude that he’s gotta defend in his own zone or his ass is gonna be glued to the bench.
• Michkov said it was “unreal” how Flyers fans were treating him and welcoming him.
• He has not met John Tortorella yet but is looking forward to it.
• Coming to the NHL and the U.S. still feels like “a dream” at this point.
• Briere was asked about how the Flyers are helping the transition to a new country and new culture. He told Michkov that he also came to the U.S. not knowing English (he spoke French), but that they’ll start with a tutor. Having Egor Zamula and Ivan Fedotov will help Michkov. Briere notes the tight locker room and basically described a team effort in helping him get comfortable.
• The plan is to have some of Michkov’s family over here soon, his mom and younger brother.
• When did Michkov learn that leaving Russia early was a possibility? – “The process was long, but he was not involved in it. Between (St. Petersburg) and the Flyers there was a negotiation..”
• The Flyers showed him a video of Nic Deslauriers fighting one of the New York Rangers (Matt Rempe I’d presume) and told him that’s “his new best friend.” Deslauriers, not Rempe.
• Pagan asked him about wearing the Phillies when landing in New York. That was a “mutual idea” that everybody came up with it. He knows the Phillies are one of the best MLB teams and he wants to meet the players and watch a game. He doesn’t remember who his favorite player is.

Here’s the full thing if you wanna watch it:

Flyers forward Matvei Michkov meets with the media for the first time from @FlyersTCenter. #LetsGoFlyers https://t.co/RtuuBN3LEs

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 24, 2024