Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov scratched for SKA St. Petersburg's season opener

The Flyers' top pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft was inactive for SKA St. Petersburg's opener against HC Dynamo Moscow.

Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov will need to wait at least a couple more days before making his first appearance of the KHL season.

Michkov was scratched for SKA St. Petersburg's regular-season opener against HC Dynamo Moscow on Saturday. SKA earned a 2-1 victory in Michkov's absence.

This comes after Michkov impressed early in the preseason, but gradually saw his ice time reduced before being scratched for an August 25 tilt against HC Sibir Novosibirsk.

Michkov appeared in just three games for SKA during the 2022-23 season before the club eventually loaned him to HC Sochi in December. Michkov went on to flourish with Sochi, logging nine goals and 20 points in 27 games to end the season.

The Flyers selected Michkov with the No. 7 overall selection of this year's draft. Under normal circumstances, Michkov likely would have been selected as high as first overall, but with three years remaining on his contract with SKA, the KHL holds the skilled forward's rights through the 2025-26 season, meaning NHL teams are incapable of controlling his development path.

Michkov's next opportunity to suit up for SKA comes Monday against HC Lada Togliatti.