Briere, Tocchet, Michkov provide color behind recent reports: ‘There’s nothing to talk about’
Sep 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (39) during player introductions against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
When news came out Tuesday afternoon that Matvei Michkov was looking for a fresh start away from the Flyers, it seemed as if no one was more caught off guard than the Flyers themselves.
“This is all news to me,” general manager Daniel Briere said to Frank Seravalli of Sportsnet.
NHL Network and ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported Tuesday that Michkov is looking for “a new start elsewhere” with the Flyers’ unimpressive start and internal turmoil. With the 21-year-old in the final year of his entry-level contract, he could become a prime trade candidate.
It was later reported by multiple insiders that the Flyers were totally unaware of this, and they had not been notified by Michkov or his agent of said interest.
Michkov was made available to reporters after the Flyers’ morning skate on Wednesday in Edmonton, hours before their game against the Oilers. Michkov was asked about the report and, still in the middle of learning English, responded.
“I no read all news,” Michkov said. “I no talk interview. I need concentration just on [Wednesday night’s] game. That’s all.”
He was later asked if he is happy in Philadelphia and as a Flyer.
“Yeah, of course,” he responded.
The 2023 seventh overall pick leads the Flyers with 10 goals in 20 games and is beginning to shape into what was envisioned after a turmoil-filled sophomore slump. Michkov came back this season in shape and focused. It has paid off, but the Flyers have the fewest wins in the Eastern Conference, sitting at 5-10-5.
If he wanted to be moved, there would certainly be a market. Briere shut that down.
“No, that’s not the plan at all,” Briere said to Seravalli. “We’ve never discussed that.”
Briere is scheduled for a Zoom call with the media Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. to presumably address everything from the last few days.
Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, who a lot of people point a finger at for Michkov’s suspected displeasure, responded to the report as well.
“I mean, there’s nothing to talk about. It’s not true,” Tocchet said. “So there’s nothing to report. You can’t comment on somebody blogging something that’s not true.”
This all comes after a heated back-and-forth between Michkov and Nick Seeler that went viral in the Flyers’ 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday. The two were seen jawing at each other during a TV timeout, the latest perturbation in Michkov’s young career.
Both Michkov and Seeler spoke on it Wednesday.
“That happens when teams are playing well, too,” Seeler said. “[Michkov’s] a competitive guy. He brings a lot of passion. We had no issue with it. It’s good to show that you care and he’s one of the guys that obviously is having a really good year. He cares. It really wasn’t a big deal at all until the media got ahold of it. We spoke after the period and it was done with, over with. All of a sudden after the game it was this big deal, when it really wasn’t. That’s kind of the day and age we live in.”
Michkov also shrugged it off.
“Yeah, of course. This is emotional game. Everybody want win. Seels emotional guy. Me too. All guys hungry for wins on the bench, too. … For me, this is good. When all guys [are] emotional… this is good. Before this game we sit together [at] dinner and eat. This is all good.”
Tocchet confirmed that the two dealt with it and that this disagreement is over. It is something that happens all the time. But when it involves a begrudging young star and a fourth-line defenseman when you are losing, it becomes a bit more amplified.
“We went through similar stuff last year and we really dealt with it really well. And we’re dealing with it again,” Tocchet said. “We’re a young group. Had some really good meetings. Even today, we had a really good morning skate. Does that transfer to a game? Sometimes it does. But we’re dealing with what comes our way every day. We talk about it. It’s a good group to deal with.”
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin is a Sports Media major at Temple University and an aspiring sportscaster and journalist. Since 2017, he has covered Philadelphia sports as the founder, editor, writer, and podcast host of Philly Sports Reports. In addition, Benjamin is a freelance sports writer for The Temple News, a broadcaster and radio host on WHIP Radio. He previously interned with the WBCB Sports Network on 1490 AM for four years. Through his coverage and media work, he has had the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and has been recognized as KYW Newsradio’s Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week.
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