While we’re still in the dog days of summer with training camp kicking off next month, they’re already getting ready for the season over in Russia.
Philadelphia Flyers top prospect Matvei Michkov played his first preseason game of the year with his KHL team, SKA St. Petersburg, and it didn’t take him long to get in on the action.
Michkov only got into three KHL games last season with SKA before being loaned to Sochi HC for the majority of the year. He racked up 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists) with 20 penalty minutes in 27 games for Sochi.
This year, Michkov is back with SKA and he’s already making Flyers fans salivate with some of his moves.
Michkov finished SKA’s 3-2 shootout win with a goal, a primary assist, and he scored in the skills competition as well to top it all off.
His first point came on a pretty pass through the slot to set up a goal as a power play expired. Michkov used his patience and vision to find 2024 draft-eligible Ivan Demidov in prime position.
Then he wanted to get in on the action himself.
Michkov, who is behind the net at the start of the below clip, makes a handful of smart plays both with and without the puck during a very strong shift in the offensive zone. Ultimately, he gets himself in front of the net and buries the loose puck.
Check out that pass from Michkov behind the net to in front just before the goal as well. That’s a sight for sore eyes for Flyers fans.
After a dominant first period, Michkov was held off the scoresheet for the rest of the game. However, he helped his team to victory with a slick shootout goal.
Sure, it’s still in the KHL and it’s only a preseason game, but you can’t help but get excited about this kid.
Daniel Briere and the Flyers took a much-needed big swing at this year’s draft and Michkov is looking like he’ll be worth the wait.
