Matvei Michkov Turning Offseason Training Around, Leaving Last Season Behind
Feb 26, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (39) celebrates after scoring a the game winning goal in overtime against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Matvei Michkov has spent this summer answering his critics with hard work and not taking a mental break.
In his second offseason, Michkov has spent his time taking his training seriously after a season where he never looked fully comfortable after coming into training out of shape. It became such a topic of discussion that he had a press conference at the end of the season to address his plans on how to enter camp in peak shape. It was more than just fans and analysts concerned about his preparation for the 2026-27 season; the Flyers sent coaching staff representatives to make sure he was still on pace. He not only put on impressive three-a-day workouts, but also finished it off by sharpening his skills at Artemi Panarin‘s camp.
Michkov’s offseason going into his sophomore season was one where he prioritized mental rest and didn’t start his physical training late in the summer, hoping that he could get in shape by the end of training camp. When he arrived, his lack of physical conditioning was not missed by anyone who was at the start of training camp. Entering the final year of his entry-level contract, his physical conditioning can be more important than just the optics; it can have a huge financial impact on him as well.
Many of the other young future core of the Flyers are preparing for their return to the team facility to get some work in ahead of the opening of training camp on Sep. 17. This can leave Michkov a bit unprepared in comparison to Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, Oliver Bonk and Porter Martone, all of whom plan on being back in the facility on Aug. 23.
While the others will have the advantage of working together, it doesn’t look like it will be a physical advantage this season. While his gym videos on social media showed that he is tending to his body in the offseason, there was also a video that made the rounds of him executing one of the most impressive Michigan goals in what was dubbed the “Match of the Year” in Russia. While playing on Panarin’s team in the charity match, he not only scored a hat trick, but also a clean Michigan goal.
The most exciting thing for fans this offseason isn’t extending offer sheets to other teams’ players, but it has been the thought of what the young talent of this budding roster can do if they’re given a full season together. There may be some that are concerned that Michkov is remaining in Russia to finish off his offseason; the fact that he’s posting training videos and scoring seemingly impossible trick goals in impromptu showdown charity events with top NHL talent and dominating should squash any fears.
One hallmark of Michkov’s great rookie campaign was that he showed off the creativity that showed why the Flyers invested their seventh pick in the 2023 draft on him. Adding this creativity to the talent of the future core of the team puts the Flyers in a much better position than last season, when Michkov was trying to not only get into playing shape, but also learn a new coach and his system. If you add this level of creativity to Barkey, Bump, Bonk, and Martone, not to mention they have a chance to bond for three weeks before the season, the entire NHL should take notice. Creating chemistry in that time is so much easier than getting into game shape.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible; we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
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