Matvei Michkov Trade Speculation Could Help Edmonton In Oilers vs Flyers Matchup

The Edmonton Oilers are set to face the Philadelphia Flyers, and while the storyline could be how well the Oilers are playing or the Flyers' on-ice struggles, the talk has been almost exclusively about Matvei Michkov. 

It's not about how good he is (and he is good). There's little talk about how the Oilers will play him or try to slow him down. Instead, it's about his desire to stay in Philadelphia, an exchange caught on camera with Nick Seeler, and the shocking report that he wants to be traded. 

An Edmonton-based media contingent that rarely hits up the visiting team's room before a game flooded the Flyers' locker room Wednesday morning. All had the same question: 'What's going on?'

"You can’t comment on somebody blogging something that is not true,” head coach Rick Tocchet said after the morning skate. He was essentially suggesting Kevin Weekes' report was made up. 

The players also suggested the incident between Michkov and Seeler was a nothing moment. “I’m no read all news, I no talk in interview, I need concentration on tonight’s game,” Michkov responded. Asked if he’s happy as a Flyer, “Yeah, of course.”

Seeler said it was the kind of thing that happens all the time in the NHL and they had put it behind them by the end of the second period. Of course, the media got a hold of the video and ran with it. 

It's a big storyline now. 

Asked if the beef had already been squashed, Michkov added, “Yeah, of course. This is emotional game. Everybody want win. Seels emotional guy. Me too. All guys hungry for wins on the bench, too. … For me, this is good. When all guys (are) emotional… this is good. Before this game we sit together (at) dinner and eat. This is all good.”

While the Flyers are trying to navigate a story that has blown up and Daniel Briere flew in from the GM meetings to join his team in Edmonton, the Oilers are looking to keep their hot streak going. Now 12-3-3 this season, a win against the Flyers would be big. 

This is a chance for the Oilers to come out quickly and kick a team that might be feeling a little down. 

Whether this Michkov trade report will unite the Flyers or split them further apart, it will be intriguing to see the impact it has on tonight's contest. The Oilers should assume the Flyers will be upset. This could go either way, so Edmonton is best off coming out hot. 

Elliotte Friedman suggested there’s an obvious problem here. “It’s a big one,” said the NHL insider.

“It’s clear there is an issue between Michkov and his teammates,” said Friedman. "The Flyers might have to clear some bodies out. It will be interesting to see how Briere handles this… It’s no question this is his biggest challenge to manage.”

It's the last thing the Flyers want to be focusing on as they try to slow the record-breaking pace of Connor McDavid and an Oilers team that feels pretty good about their game. 

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