The Philadelphia Flyers have not received a formal trade request from forward Matvei Michkov, and as TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports, Michkov is “not a player they’re looking to trade.”
Johnston reported the update on Insider Trading to follow up on a report from NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes earlier on Tuesday afternoon that indicated Michkov wanted a new start elsewhere amidst a poor start for the team and internal turmoil.
“It’s possible it gets there, but what I can tell you at this moment in time is we’re certainly not there yet,” Johnston said.
The ‘internal turmoil’ likely refers to an incident in the second period of the team’s 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, where Michkov was visibly animated in an argument with teammate Nick Seeler on the bench following a play.
The two engaged in a heated back and forth that drew other teammates from around the bench to try to cool off the tension.
“In fact, even after a lot of attention on the [situation] with Michkov getting into it with Seeler on the bench, obviously a difficult start for the Flyers this season, but the Flyers themselves have not received a formal trade request in this circumstance, and this is not a player they’re looking to trade.”
The 21-year-old Michkov was the seventh-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Flyers, and made his debut with the team the following season.
Michkov was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2024-25 and finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting after scoring 26 goals and tallying 63 points in a dazzling first season.
The native of Perm, Russia took a step back in his second season, but was still productive, finishing with 20 goals and 51 points in 81 games.
Michkov drew the ire of Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, who openly criticized the young player’s conditioning and work before the trade deadline last season before general manager Daniel Briere stepped in to give Michkov a vote of confidence.
Tocchet later apologized for the comments, and Michkov entered the season apparently having taken the comments to heart after saying he changed his off-season habits over the summer.
Johnston reports that given everything that’s conspired and the situation moving forward for Michkov, it would not make sense for the Flyers to try to trade him at this time.
“He’s in the third year of his career, still in his entry-level contract, scoring at half a goal a game,” Johnston said. “And while it’s been a tough start for the team, they’re not simply going to give up on this kid. If they do ever think to trade him, they’ll be looking for a prized centreman or a quality player coming back the other way, but at this point in time, the Flyers are certainly not focused on moving him.”
Michkov has 10 goals and 14 points in 20 games this season.