Latest news with #LetsGoFlyers
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I'd Do Everything the Same': Matvei Michkov Talks Lane Hutson, Rookie Season & Goals for Next Season
(Header/feature image courtesy of The Hockey News' Megan DeRuchie) Matvei Michkov didn't need a Calder Trophy nomination to prove he belongs in the NHL. While the hockey world buzzed about top rookies this season, the 20-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward compiled an impressive first campaign—electrifying crowds with his creativity, igniting plays with his vision, and, most importantly to him, making strides that go well beyond stat sheets. In typical Michkov fashion, he met the news of not being named a Calder finalist with the same cool composure he tried to bring to every shift on the ice. 'I'm not sure,' Michkov said when asked how he felt about the omission in a new interview with RG. 'I guess I should've played better so there'd be no doubt who the best rookie was. But it is what it is. It won't change how I approach things.' This was a season of firsts for Michkov—his first in North America, his first time adjusting to a completely different language and culture, and his first test against the grind of an 82-game NHL schedule. Still, he delivered. While others drew more headlines, Michkov steadily proved why he's considered one of the most gifted young players in the world. He flashed high-end offensive instincts, blended skill with a dogged work ethic, and grew into his role with the Flyers as the season progressed. 'Of course, I feel I could've scored more points and played better in some moments—there were plenty of chances that I didn't finish,' he said. 'I didn't have any specific numbers in mind before the season started, because I didn't know what to expect. New country, new people. My main goal was to show what I can do and enjoy every game. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't. But now my focus is to train well in the offseason, get stronger, and help the team make the playoffs. That's our main goal.' It's that consistent team-first attitude that has quickly earned Michkov respect in the Flyers' locker room. His skill is undeniable, but it's his mindset that may truly set him apart. Even after a strong rookie season—one that might've made him a Calder finalist or even winner in a different year—Michkov has no interest in personal accolades. He's already looking ahead to what matters most to him: team success. 'Yes—make the playoffs first,' Michkov said when asked about his goals for Year 2. 'Then try to win the Stanley Cup. Personally, I'm not setting any specific numbers. The only goal I have is a team goal, and I'll do everything I can to reach it.' 'He's probably the one player I've played with where he wants to be the best player in the NHL. He believes he can be.' —Travis Konecny on Matvei Michkov. Said his competitiveness was up there with Claude Giroux. #LetsGoFlyers — Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 18, 2025 That doesn't mean Michkov wasn't paying attention to his peers. The NHL's rookie class this year was stacked with talent, from physical defensemen to crafty playmakers. Michkov singled out Montreal Canadiens blueliner and Calder favorite Lane Hutson as someone who caught his eye. 'I didn't follow [the other rookies] closely, but the media talked about it a lot, so it was impossible to ignore," he admitted. "Lane Hutson had a really strong season. He scored a lot and was great on the powerplay. I really like his game. I actually saw him back in 2020 at the Winter Youth Olympics. I told [Washington Capitals prospect] Ivan Miroshnichenko at the time, 'Watch that guy—he's going to make it.' And now he's playing the same way in the NHL. I'm happy for him.' But Michkov is more focused on how he can take the next step. With his rookie season behind him, the Russian forward is focused less on what he can change and more on how he can refine his approach. It's not about altering his game—it's about maturing his mindset. 'Honestly, I'd do everything the same,' he said. 'Hockey is hockey. The only difference is that now I've learned to stay calmer. When you're calm, things start to go your way—your game, your life. When I was younger, I couldn't always control my emotions. I wasted too much energy. That's the only thing I'd change. Even though it's hard to stay calm all the time, that's what I'm working on.' That level of introspection is relatively rare in a player so young. But then again, Michkov has always carried himself a bit differently than most 20-year-old players. He doesn't need individual trophies to validate his place in the league. He's shown what he can do—and more importantly, he knows what he still wants to become.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
REPORT: Brad Shaw Not Returning To Flyers Coaching Staff
As first reported by PHLY's Charlie O'Connor, Brad Shaw, once considered a leading candidate for the Philadelphia Flyers' head coaching vacancy, will reportedly not be returning to the team's coaching staff under newly-appointed head coach Rick Tocchet. Some Flyers news: I've heard that Brad Shaw -- who served as Flyers assistant and interim head coach -- will NOT be returning to the Flyers bench as assistant coach under Rick story below, but my understanding is that it was Shaw's decision: — Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) May 15, 2025 According to the report, this was Shaw's decision. Shaw served as an assistant coach for three seasons under former Flyers head coach John Tortorella, overseeing the team's defensive structure and penalty kill. When Tortorella was let go from bench duties late in the 2024–25 season, Shaw took over as interim head coach and was widely viewed as a legitimate contender for the full-time role. Previously, Shaw had expressed a willingness to remain with the Flyers in a supporting role if he didn't land the permanent head coaching gig. He cited his strong relationship with the defensive group and his interest in helping continue their development. Brad Shaw said that if Danny Briere decides to go with a different HC, he'd be open to returning to his assistant coach role because 'I've invested three years into this D core' and has enjoyed his time with the organization. #LetsGoFlyers — Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 18, 2025 However, it now appears that Tocchet, who was officially named head coach this week, will be moving in a different direction with his staff. It's not yet clear whether Shaw is seeking opportunities elsewhere or if another role within the Flyers organization could be in discussion, but for now, the longtime coach appears to be on his way out of Philadelphia. Shaw leaves behind a clear mark on the Flyers' back end. Under his guidance, players like Travis Sanheim and Cam York took noticeable steps forward. "He's been great to me," York said of Shaw during the team's exit interviews back in April. "I would say he's an overthinker—in a good way—of the game. He's really good at sitting down with guys, going over video; he tells you how it is in a good, honest done a lot for me and helped develop my game in a good way and taught me things that I didn't even think of prior to him." "He has meant so much to my game personally," Sanheim said in his exit interview. "I think a lot of guys on the D core could probably say the same thing...I'm just super thankful for where he has taken my game and I really enjoyed my time working with him." As Tocchet begins assembling his coaching staff, all eyes will be on who he taps to oversee the next generation of Flyers—and how his vision will build upon the foundation that Shaw helped lay.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Takeaways From Flyers OT Loss vs. Senators
By all accounts, Sunday afternoon in Ottawa was one of those games that just felt a little off from the jump. The energy wasn't quite there. The pace was a little flat. And while the Philadelphia Flyers managed to claw out a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Senators, it was one of their more uneven performances in recent memory. Still, even on a day where their legs looked heavy and their execution lagged behind, the Flyers kept fighting. Nic Deslauriers, Noah Cates, and Garnet Hathaway each found the back of the net in a game that oscillated between sluggish and frustrating. But Ottawa had a counterpunch for every swing, and the Flyers never quite found the spark they usually ride into a full-on storm. To be fair, it's hard to blame them entirely. This was the second afternoon game of a back-to-back, coming off a high-intensity shootout with the New York Islanders the day before. Add in the travel—a flight from Philadelphia to Ottawa right after Saturday's game—and what you get is a team doing its best to push through fatigue, but without its usual bite. 1. A Game of Counterpunches — and the Flyers Couldn't Land the Last One Every time the Flyers managed to score, the Senators found a way to respond. It wasn't a tidal wave of momentum swings — more like slow drips of water wearing down stone. Nic Deslauriers opened the scoring. Ottawa responded. Noah Cates broke through. Ottawa answered. Garnet Hathaway gave Philly its third lead of the afternoon. Ottawa still came back. It wasn't that the Flyers were bad defensively — in fact, structure-wise, they remained mostly intact. But the problem was they couldn't quite kill the game. No lead ever felt safe. And part of that came down to the Flyers' inability to sustain long stretches of momentum. This wasn't one of those games where the top line dominated or the power play tilted the ice. It was a choppy, back-and-forth affair with limited rhythm, and every time the Flyers tried to settle in, Ottawa disrupted them. More than anything, it felt like the Flyers were trying to will their way to a win through sheer grit, but simply didn't have enough gas in the tank to close it out. 2. Depth Contributions Kept Them Afloat If you're looking for a silver lining, it's that the Flyers' depth players stepped up in a big way. All three goals came from the bottom six — a welcome sight, especially on a day where their top scorers were quiet. Nic Deslauriers isn't usually the guy you circle in the pregame lineup sheet and expect to break the ice, but it got the job done. It also injected some early life into a sleepy afternoon tilt. D-Lo got real low. #PHIvsOTT | #LetsGoFlyers — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 13, 2025 Noah Cates followed suit, continuing his recent stretch of quality two-way hockey with a goal to give the Flyers back their lead. Cates has really exploded to find his scoring touch this season, and he's been excellent in terms of energy and positioning lately — and that showed again Sunday. Garnet Hathaway helped the Flyers regain their lead yet again with a hard shot from the right side, continuing to prove how invaluable he's been to the depth of this team's offense. When your stars don't have it, it's on the grinders to step up. And that's exactly what happened here. Hathaway, Cates, and Deslauriers made their mark. It just wasn't quite enough to carry the Flyers over the finish line. 3. The Toll of the Schedule Was Evident — and Understandable Brad Shaw's version of the Flyers has been defined by its energy. Even when the results haven't been perfect, you could always count on pace, pressure, and pushback. But on Sunday? That identity flickered. The second half of a back-to-back is never easy. Back-to-back afternoon games — with travel in between — is downright exhausting, especially so late in the season. The Flyers played an emotional, fast-paced game against the Islanders on Saturday, then had to hop on a plane, and turn around for another 1 p.m. puck drop less than 24 hours later. It showed. There was sloppiness in their puck decisions, gaps in their passing sequences, and a noticeable lack of footspeed compared to recent games. Ottawa didn't dominate in any specific way, but they had more jump and sharper execution in crucial moments — particularly in the second half of the game. And yet, even with that fatigue, the Flyers still found a way to push it to overtime. That in itself speaks volumes about the group's resolve. There was no dramatic push in the final minutes, no highlight-reel effort to rescue two points. But there was effort. There was pride. And there was enough to walk away with one point instead of zero — their 22nd game this season to go past regulation. Final Thoughts Sunday's game was never going to be a masterpiece, but it was a lesson in survival. The Flyers didn't have their legs, didn't have their A-game, and still managed to hang in there. Sure, they gave up a lead three separate times and couldn't find that final push, but they didn't fold. This was a grind-it-out, lean-on-your-depth kind of afternoon. And while the shine may have worn off quickly, the Flyers will take the point and keep moving forward. Because if this season has taught us anything, it's that they're not going away quietly. Tired legs or not, this team's still got a whole lot of fight left.
New York Times
12-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Tyson Foerster, Jakob Pelletier among players leading Flyers' post-John Tortorella surge
PHILADELPHIA — Tyson Foerster is often a man of few words. Those words were even fewer earlier this season, when current Philadelphia Flyers interim coach (and then associate coach) Brad Shaw took him off the penalty kill. 'Didn't talk to me for about a month,' Shaw said. Foerster is speaking loudly now, at least on the ice. The 23-year-old has been the Flyers' most dangerous forward lately, scoring twice on Saturday in the team's 4-3 shootout win over the New York Islanders at Wells Fargo Center, one game after he recorded his first career NHL hat trick at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Advertisement In the six games since the Flyers made a coaching change, Foerster has eight goals and one assist for 9 points, tied for the team lead in scoring with Matvei Michkov and Ryan Poehling over that span. The Flyers have now won five of those six games (5-1-0). 'Pucks are going in for me right now, so it feels good,' a not-so-loquacious Foerster said after the game. With three games left in the season, Foerster is tied with Michkov and Travis Konecny for the team lead in goals with 24. Oh, and he's back on the penalty kill, as well as the top power-play unit, which is where he scored his first goal on Saturday against the Islanders, giving the Flyers a 1-0 lead at 3:28 of the second period. Foerster Roofing Co.#NYIvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 12, 2025 Yes, the Flyers are still an undermanned club these days, but it's safe to say Shaw trusts Foerster in every situation again. 'I think he's always a very conscientious player as far as 200-foot game,' Shaw said. 'I think like most goal scorers, when one goes in, they start to feel a little bit better. When it gets to two and three, they start to feel like the next shot's going in a little more than maybe when they weren't scoring. 'I like how he earns his success (and) doesn't cheat to get his success. That's not an easy thing to do on a regular basis. Real good sign from a young guy that's showing that he's going to be a good pro, and a good player for a long time.' Foerster has had help, as the Flyers have averaged 4.67 goals in the six games Shaw has been behind the bench. While Foerster, a pending restricted free agent, may be earning himself a few more dollars with his strong play lately, one of his teammates may be solidifying his place on next season's roster after some earlier struggles. Advertisement Jakob Pelletier, also a pending restricted free agent, scored a game-tying goal on Saturday in the third period to make it 2-2, and now has 6 points (three goals, three assists) in his last seven games. It seems evident that Shaw sees a higher ceiling for Pelletier than did previous coach John Tortorella, who had him stapled to the fourth line after Pelletier was acquired from Calgary on Jan. 31 as part of the trade for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. Pelletier is making that trade look better and better by the day, too. He has three goals and five assists for 8 points in 22 games since he moved to Philadelphia, which is actually more than Farabee (three goals, three assists in 28 games) has managed with the Flames (Frost has 10 points in 29 games). The goal against the Islanders was the Flyers' prettiest of the afternoon. Pelletier and Poehling handed the puck off to one another in the neutral zone, and when Poehling sent a cross-ice pass to Owen Tippett, Pelletier drove the net, received the quick pass from Tippett, and made a move to his backhand before slipping it past Islanders goalie Marcus Hogberg. 'That was quite a passing display there,' Shaw said. 'That trio has done that a few times now where they support it, they execute it. It's great to see him have success. It gives us some balance, and lots of different options when we're down or looking for that next goal.' Said Pelletier: 'I think our line, we skate fast, we take advantage of our speed. I think it's kind of how we kind of create goals.' Shaw pointed out that the trade for Pelletier was difficult for the former first-round pick, but he's now finding his groove with his new teammates. But the coach should get some credit for that, too, as he put that Pelletier-Poehling-Tippett line together in the first game after Tortorella was fired. In the past six games, they're controlling 59.6 percent of the shots on goal and 65.2 percent of the attempted goals, according to Natural Stat Trick. Further, the Flyers have outscored the opposition 4-2 at five-on-five when they're on the ice. Advertisement On Friday, regarding Pelletier, Shaw said: 'I think that he's shown that he can provide offense. I think it's always going to be a challenge for him on the checking side because of his size. His body position has to be exemplary, his stick has to be fantastic, his reads have to be (a) step ahead a little more than a bigger guy. That's going to be his challenge. Can he do it? I think so.' While these late-season wins are adversely affecting the Flyers' chances as a top-five pick in the 2025 draft, the way they've been playing as a group under Shaw has been eye-opening. And, of course, it's not a bad thing when some of the younger pieces that management is keeping a close eye on seem to be thriving after what was a monumental change a little more than two weeks ago. It could very well have gone the other way. 'The culture of this team and how it was put together in the last couple years, I'm not surprised that they're still playing with discipline and focus,' Shaw said. (Photo of Tyson Foerster: Kyle Ross / Imagn Images)
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Takeaways From Flyers Loss vs. Devils
The Philadelphia Flyers needed this one. Or, at the very least, they needed to show signs that they were trending in the right direction after a stretch of frustrating losses. And while the effort was certainly there against the New Jersey Devils, the results still weren't. A 3-1 loss to a divisional rival doesn't sting any less just because the process looked better. At this point in the season, points are what matter most, and the Flyers are watching valuable ones slip away. It wasn't an outright poor performance—far from it. They were more structured than in some of their recent defeats, and they didn't let the game get away from them the way they have in past matchups. But the same nagging issues lingered: an inability to finish their chances, stretches of disconnected play, and just not enough offensive punch when it mattered. 1. The Finishing Touch Still Isn't There The Flyers and Devils remained fairly even on shots throughout the entire game. They had their fair share of dangerous looks. But once again, the lack of finishing ability came back to bite them. This isn't new—go back through their recent losses, and the story is largely the same. The effort is there, the zone time is often there, but the final execution? Missing. They had chances to turn this game in their favor, but too many shots either missed the net, got blocked, or went right into the pads of Devils goaltender Jake Allen. It's not like the Flyers don't have offensive talent. The Tippett-Couturier-Michkov and Foerster-Cates-Brink lines have both been playing well in terms of chance generation, and Jamie Drysdale's goal definitely provided a spark in the last few minutes. Jamie didn't hear no bell. #NJDvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 9, 2025 But at some point, 'creating chances' has to turn into actual goals. That's the missing ingredient right now. This team has found ways to win this season even without an elite goal-scorer, but in tight games like this, they need someone to step up and bury those key moments. The Devils weren't overwhelmingly better, but they were clinical in their finishing. That was the difference. 2. Matvei Michkov's First-Period Benching Wasn't Just About One Play When John Tortorella shortened his bench after the Devils' first goal, sitting Matvei Michkov for the remainder of the first period, it sparked immediate reaction. The 20-year-old has been one of the Flyers' most dynamic offensive players lately, and the team's scoring struggles make it hard to justify keeping a player with his talent on the bench for long. After the game, Tortorella clarified that it wasn't just about the goal but about a series of plays leading up to the decision. This is in line with how he's coached all year—no one is above accountability, and if he doesn't like what he's seeing, he has no problem making a statement. "There are a number of things that come into play," Tortorella emphasized. "It's not just one specific are so many things that go on with me trying to develop that player, and I'm gonna continue to do it the way I think it should be done." 'There's so many things that go on with me trying to develop that player. There are a number of other things that go [into benching Michkov]…It's not just the one play.' —John Tortorella on sitting Matvei Michkov after the Devils' first goal #LetsGoFlyers — Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) March 9, 2025 The good news? Michkov wasn't benched for the rest of the game. He returned for the second and third periods, and his energy level was solid. The reality is that, while Michkov has been an offensive spark plug, he's still a young player adjusting to the NHL. Defensive lapses and missed assignments will happen, and Tortorella is going to make sure he learns from them. It's frustrating in the moment, especially when the team is struggling to score. But this is a long-term play. Michkov is a star in the making, and Tortorella's tough love approach isn't about punishing him—it's about molding him into the kind of player who can be relied upon in every situation. 3. An Improved Effort Only Counts for So Much No one could say the Flyers weren't engaged in this game. The compete level was there, and this was a better showing than some of their recent losses. But at this point in the season, 'better effort' isn't enough of a consolation. "Believe me, it sucks for us," Drysdale said postgame. "I know it sucks for [the fans]." There are no moral victories in a playoff race. The Flyers can't afford to take positives from another loss without also recognizing that they need actual results. And the frustrating part is that this was a winnable game. The Devils didn't dominate. The Flyers had their moments. But that final bit of execution, that killer instinct, was missing. Final Thoughts It's another frustrating night for the Flyers, another game where they did a lot of things well but still couldn't find a way to win. The defensive structure was better. The fight was there. But the same issues—scoring struggles, brief lapses in execution, and inconsistency in finishing plays—held them back. The good news is that they aren't rolling over. This isn't a team that quits. But they need to turn this energy into wins—quickly. Otherwise, all the effort in the world won't mean much if they're watching the playoffs from home. Gameday 65 Preview: Flyers vs. Devils The Philadelphia Flyers are at a bit of a crossroads right now. Get To Know New Flyers Winger Nikita Grebenkin The Philadelphia Flyers made waves with their Deadline Day trade of sending center Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for 22-year-old Russian winger Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round pick in the in 2027 NHL Draft.
