Flyers Files Observations: Michkov, Knuble, Barkey, First Impressions

We’re back for another season of Flyers Files observations, my weekly look at the Philadelphia Flyers, what is trending, what is noteworthy, and my reactions.

The preseason is underway, and the quick sprint to the start of the regular season is here. The Flyers will be playing meaningful hockey in just eight days, so the time to evaluate what the final roster could be is short. As such, there’s not many battles for roster spots in camp, but that doesn’t mean some names aren’t making an impression, spot on the roster or not.

Here’s this week’s Flyers Files.

Michkov Impressing at Camp

I wrote last week about Matvei Michkov on the first day of training camp, primarily because giving his first English interview is really a monumental step for him. Even more than his offseason training, and losing 30 pounds from last season’s starting weight in the process, the 21-year-old will only become more effective the more comfortable he gets.

So feeling comfortable enough to do an interview in English, as much as he admitted it was a challenge, is a sign that he’s turning the page on his struggles from last season.

But there’s also the on-ice part of the equation, and there’s no doubt that Michkov appears lighter and that has him capable of doing more with his legs, speeding up the rest of his body, and making him a dangerous player. It seems clear the valuable lesson from last season set in and Michkov took it to heart this offseason. And it’s fair to wonder what his revenge season, as Rick Tocchet put it at exit interviews in May, is going to look like.

Knuble Pushing Himself on the Radar

In a short camp and preseason, it’s tough for someone truly unexpected to be impactful enough to enter the conversation for the roster spot to truly earn one. Gone are the days with seven or eight preseason games, nearly three weeks of training camp, and plenty of time for a virtual unknown in the NHL conversation to land there.

So Cole Knuble is probably not going to be a Flyer on Sept. 30. But I doubt it’s the last you hear his name this season.

The 22-year-old forward joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season from college, and now in his first pro camp, is turning heads on a daily basis. Knuble was the Flyers’ top performer in the preseason opener, with a goal and an assist. He scored in the one rookie game he participated in. He’s keeping up with veteran NHLers around him in camp drills.

Obviously, the pedigree here is well-known. Knuble, son of former Flyer Mike Knuble, has it in his blood and he’s carving out a path for his own NHL journey to begin. If there should be an opening during the season, and there is usually no avoiding it, he could be one of the first from the minors to get the call.

Barkey Injured in Opener

One of the players that I think has a real chance to break out this season is Denver Barkey. The high-motor forward could be impactful in several ways, from his potential offensively, his defensive and penalty-killing chops that he showed off in juniors, and having nearly half a season under his belt already.

That may have taken a hit early in the preseason though. Barkey left Monday’s game with a lower-body injury and did not return. He's being evaluated on Tuesday, and while Tocchet said it's not serious and Barkey is day-to-day, it’s fair to wonder what happens next with the Flyers’ potential lineup if Barkey is now not able to play in another week's time.

Hopefully Monday was more of a precaution than anything. But if not, the injury bug could already be biting at the Flyers before they even set sail on the 2026-27 regular season.

First Impression in Preseason Debut

Monday’s game was the first chance to see a lot of players in game action. The Flyers primarily dressed a group of AHL veterans with minimal NHL experience or young players looking for a chance to make the team.

Obviously, the aforementioned Knuble stood out. Joseph Woll made his debut between the pipes, and with a youthful lineup in front of him, made some quality saves despite allowing three goals on 19 shots in two periods. There were some things to like from Hunter McDonald and Ty Murchison, each who could be on the short-list of early call-ups. Jack Studnicka scored a power-play goal to open things up on the scoresheet.

But there wasn’t much more to speak of beyond that. The Flyers are clearly holding their veterans and expected roster for later in the week, especially with the final two games at home.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.