Matvei Michkov Terminates KHL Contract, Officially Set To Join Flyers
Highly-touted Russian prospect Matvei Michkov has officially terminated his contract with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg, making him able to officially sign with the Philadelphia Flyers in the coming days.
Source: X - @AnthonyMingioni - Matvei Michkov Terminates KHL Contract, Officially Set To Join FlyersHighly-touted Russian prospect Matvei Michkov has officially terminated his contract with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg, making him able to officially sign with the Philadelphia Flyers in the coming days.
Drafted seventh overall in 2023, Michkov was originally not expected to join the Flyers until 2026 due to the now-terminated contract, and it was uncertain whether or not Flyers GM Danny Briere would be able to work out a deal to bring him over to the U.S. earlier .
In a statement, Michkov said, "After much thought, I decided to try my hand at the NHL. I would like to say a huge thank you to the SKA management for being cooperative in this matter...This decision was not easy, but I feel it was the right one: I am full of strength and desire to prove that I am worthy of playing [in the NHL]."
He continued by saying that this decision was also fueled by his father, who sadly passed away last year.
"This was a long time dream of my father: he really wanted to see my debut in the NHL," he said. "For me, it is extremely important to take this step, also for his sake. I'm sure he would support me in this."
This echoes a similar sentiment that Michkov expressed when he was first drafted, despite his timeline to go stateside was still up in the air.
"This is the team I wanted to be drafted by," he said of being selected by the Flyers. "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...I'm hoping as soon as I can get out [of my contract], I'll come to Philadelphia. It felt like we were talking the same language."
While Michkov is not expected to be in the U.S. in time for the Flyers' development camp during the first week of July due to visa issues, all signs are pointing to him being available to participate in the senior team's preseason training in September.
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