Flyers Matvei Michkov faces rude awakening after dangerous hit in the boards

The rookie, Matvei Michkov, in only his second NHL game, recorded his first assist against the Calgary Flames. In his third game, he finally had his first goal, finding the back of the net against the Edmonton Oilers, the Flames' provincial rivals. The early milestones are small but critical to any young player and perhaps an indication that Michkov is starting to find his rhythm in the league.

The Philadelphia Flyers have to be impressed with the flashes of brilliance their 19-year-old Russian prospect is already showing. His first goal came on the power play, one that was well-earned and took two video reviews to confirm. It wasn't the prettiest, but it showed Michkov's drive, a quality that's likely to win him fans in Philadelphia. He is getting noticed on the ice, however, as he has become a target for other teams, such as what we saw last night against the Seattle Kraken when Michkov was dangerously slammed into the boards, nearly resulting in a very serious injury.

Michkov's road to the NHL was complicated. Despite being widely considered one of the most talented players in the 2023 NHL Draft, he fell to the Flyers at seventh overall. Contractual obligations in the Kontinental Hockey League and concerns about his personality caused some teams to pass on him, allowing Philadelphia to take a calculated gamble. Thus far, it appears that the gamble is paying off.

Before coming to North America, Michkov was thought to be one of the more prolific teenagers in the KHL, putting up promising numbers. During his draft year, he compiled 20 points in 30 games, adding 41 points in 48 games the season after. Thought to stay overseas until 2025-26, Michkov's early advancement to the NHL was approved, a nice surprise to the Flyers.

While Matvei Michkov still has a long way to go in his development, his talent and hockey IQ he's shown early hint toward very bright things to come. The start of his NHL career is promising, and with patience combined with growth, he has the potential to emerge as one of the league's brightest stars. Let's just hope he's able to stay healthy and avoid injuries now that he has become a main target on the ice for opponents.