Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discuss whether Macklin Celebrini or Matvei Michkov would be more ideal to have when building a team. Matvei Michkov after being selected No. 7 overall in the 2023 NHL draft. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2Njg2NTgyODczMjY5Njk0/usatsi_20963689.jpg] Matvei Michkov after being selected No. 7 overall in the 2023 NHL draft. Matvei Michkov could be heading to North America sooner than expected. After weeks of rumors gaining steam [https://thehockeynews.com/news/matvei-michkov-rumors-intensify-amid-possible-early-arrival-to-philadelphia-flyers], it looks like Michkov is planning to leave the KHL and join the Philadelphia Flyers, according to The Fourth Period’s Anthony Di Marco [https://x.com/ADiMarco25/status/1804899478362632591], The Athletic's Kevin Kurz [https://x.com/KKurzNHL/status/1804904321848422861] and other reports. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman added that nothing is done until it's done but that there's optimism a deal is close for Michkov to sign his entry-level contract with the Flyers. Long believed to be the best prospect after Connor Bedard in the 2023 NHL draft, Michkov slipped to the Philadelphia Flyers at seventh overall due to fears related to his KHL contract status, which was set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season. Michkov — the top-ranked prospect in The Hockey News’ latest Future Watch Issue [https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/633825] — is coming off a memorable season. The 19-year-old Russian winger’s 2023-24 campaign started by receiving scarce minutes with St. Petersburg. But Michkov was quickly loaned to Sochi, where he previously shined in his draft year, and he got back on track quickly. In 47 games, Michkov recorded 41 points — one point shy of Kirill Kaprizov for the most points by a U-20 KHL player in a single season since 2009, according to eliteprospects.com [https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/khl/stats/all-time-season?page=4]. The news comes days after Flyers GM Daniel Briere said in his pre-draft media availability the team was operating under the assumption that Michkov would not be joining them next season. “We’re kind of at the mercy of what they decide to do over there with him,” Briere told reporters [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-are-ready-for-matvei-michkov-to-join-nhl-whenever-that-might-be]on Thursday. Sergei Fedotov, Michkov’s former agent, made headlines last year when he said Michkov didn’t want to be drafted by the Arizona Coyotes or Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-matvei-michkov-not-drafted] — something Michkov later denied [https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37931238/flyers-draft-matvei-michkov-willing-wait-khl-deal]— but he's made it clear he's all-in on Philadelphia. “This is the team I wanted to be drafted by,” Michkov said at last year's draft. “I want to come to Philadelphia, and I want to help them win a Stanley Cup. I know they’ve been waiting a long time for one. That’s my goal.” Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
