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Matvei Michkov may have already breached his contract with the Flyers


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Aaron
July 21, 2024  (0:20)
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Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov
Photo credit: NHL

Matvei Michkov is regarded as one of the best prospects in the NHL, but he may have just breached his contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Drafted 7th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2023 NHL entry draft, Matvei Michkov was expected to be with SKA St. Petersburg for three more years, but will now be coming to North America for the 2024-25 season.
While this is incredibly exciting for the Philadelphia Flyers organization, Matvei Michkov, who signed his entry level contract last month, may have just broken the terms of his contract.
In an impromptu interview at the Media Hockey League tournament, Matvei Michkov deflected questions about the Philadelphia Flyers, who may restrict him from participating in tournaments outside of the NHL or IIHF:
Note: the following was translated from Russian.

"I know, probably Philadelphia, I don't know whether they even know about existence or not, but I just came with my friends Uvi to play hockey, after all, it's a holiday." Michkov said.

When asked if the Flyers knew, he added: "To be honest, I don't know, I'm talking about this, I'm leaving now on the twentieth, I'm flying away, as if God forbid things worked out here."
It is truly bizarre that a player under contract with an NHL team is not being forthcoming about where he is playing, and it brings up red flags that remind many of another former top prospect in Nail Yakupov.
In Michkov's interview with BreadSport, notice at the end of the clip how he just shrugs off the question.

Sounds like what he means is: I'm not sure if the Flyers know that I'm playing in this league or not, but I'm leaving on the 20th (this Saturday) so who really cares?
While as a player Michkov projects well, personality and mentality is just as key for NHL success.
Michkov could be the next Yakupov (one of very few who has this archetype who doesn't work out tremendously well).
Hopefully Matvei Michkov will be able to prove the haters wrong, but things just don't seem as perfect as they should be days before he comes to North America.

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