Flyers vs. Capitals Preseason Preview: Michkov Makes His Debut

The wait is over. After multiple days of scrimmages and skating, the Flyers open up the preseason schedule on Sunday afternoon with their first of seven games. There will be one name in the lineup that fans have been eagerly anticipating.

Matvei Michkov makes his debut in the preseason opener against the Washington Capitals. It marks the first chance to see the 19-year-old against NHL competition. Michkov scored in his first rookie game on Sept. 13.

Game time is at 3 p.m.

The Flyers roster for the game is as follows:

Forwards

10 Bobby Brink
15 Olle Lycksell
17 Jett Luchanko
18 Rodrigo Abols
27 Noah Cates
39 Matvei Michkov
46 Sawyer Boulton
48 Morgan Frost
49 Rhett Gardiner
74 Owen Tippett
86 Joel Farabee
91 Brendan Furry

Defensemen

3 Helge Grans
9 Jamie Drysdale
13 Adam Ginning
24 Nick Seeler
36 Emil Andrae
42 Spencer Gill

Goalies

64 Carson Bjarnason
82 Ivan Fedotov

Michkov has been playing with Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett so far in camp, so their line gets a look within a game. Joel Farabee and Noah Cates are the only other veteran forwards with a more solidified spot, while Bobby Brink and Olle Lycksell continued to try to become NHL mainstays.

Rodrigo Abols signed in the offseason after playing in the SHL and is a veteran who could get a long look in camp.

Defensively, Jamie Drysdale and Nick Seeler – expected to also be a pairing – are both in the lineup as NHL veterans. Helge Grans and Adam Ginning are both within the competition for blue line spots. Emil Andrae is still a prospect, but has limited NHL time and is also in the competition.

There are also some interested names on the roster, players who are clearly getting a look based on strong camp performances. Jett Luchanko has certainly caught the attention of the Flyers front office. John Tortorella said that Luchanko will get a look in "preseason games," indicating that this may not be his only action of the preseason.

Meanwhile, for Sawyer Boulton, Spencer Gill, and Carson Bjarnason, this is clearly a reward. Gill was just drafted in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, so he will be heading back to juniors at some point, but getting a preseason game is an accomplishment. Bjarnason is also bound for juniors, but had a solid rookie camp and will get a look in this game. Boulton is on an AHL contract, but has shown some energy and physicality that has earned him a preseason game.

Bjarnason will split time in goal with Ivan Fedotov.

The Capitals also open the preseason slate. Despite the game being on home ice, they will also feature a lineup filled with more hopefuls than NHL mainstays.

The Capitals roster is as follows:

Forwards