Flyers: Michkov, New Linemates Set for Debut

Three days of intense training camp are in the books for the Flyers. After multiple skating sessions and scrimmages, a small group will make their preseason debut as the seven-game schedule opens up on Sunday afternoon.

The Flyers are wasting no time seeing their prized prospect on the ice in game action. Matvei Michkov will make his preseason debut. He has skated in camp alongside Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett.

“Every day is better and better,” Michkov said through translator Slava Kuznetsov on Saturday. “Everyday’s a work in progress with a lot of load in camp. Everybody’s under pressure with getting themselves out of training into the games. We are working together to get better.”

One of the notable parts of a John Tortorella camp is skating. From the skate test to open camp on Thursday to more drills at camp over the past two days, Michkov is enjoying the preparation for game action.

“I like skating. It’s always been my thing to skate,” Michkov said. “The skating now makes more sense than skating later. It should make us better throughout the camp and for the season. Hard in training, easier in the game.”

Michkov has certainly been the headliner in camp so far. Saturday was the team’s fan fest at training camp, which featured several activities outside the Flyers Training Center and a season-ticket holder event. As a large crowd gathered inside each on-ice session, there were plenty of No. 39 jerseys spotted among the Flyers faithful.

“I’ve never seen that many jerseys with my name,” Michkov said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to see the fans already showing up. It helps to get through the hard training. We’re doing it for the fans and it helps overall.”

As for his linemates, Michkov presents an opportunity for another level for Frost and Tippett. Michkov’s skill is noticeable right away, and makes it more important for his linemates to be ready to use their creativity and skill to produce.

“I probably have to shoot a little more. His playmaking ability is really good,” Frost said. “He also likes to shoot the puck too. As long as we’re using our creativity, I think we can probably read off each other well.”

“Frosty and I have good chemistry playing together for a while now. With Michkov there, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Tippett said. “You can tell how much skill he has and how he thinks the game. It’s just been a small sample size for Frosty and I, but I think the longer we skate together, the better it will get.”

While this is only the first preseason game and line combinations are certainly subject to change, the opportunity is going to be there for players to see how Michkov helps elevate their own game. The excitement surrounding Michkov from the outside has certainly reached the rest of the Flyers.

“He’s obviously super skilled. You see the videos and hear everyone talking about it,” Frost said. “That’s kind of what I like to do, try to do skill stuff. It’s exciting to get the chance to play with him.”

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