Flyers Miss Major Opportunity With Matvei Michkov
Deadline Passed With Nothing Signed
General manager Daniel Briere was asked earlier this week whether there had been any progress on a new deal for Matvei Michkov, and his answer left little room for interpretation.
"There's nothing going on at the moment," Briere said. "I'm sure along the way, at some point, there will be discussions, but not at the moment."
That's the same with what Michkov himself said back in late July, when he told reporters that extension talks with the Flyers hadn't even started yet. Michkov is heading into the final year of his three-year entry-level contract and will become a restricted free agent next summer, without salary arbitration rights.
Interesting, introspective conversation here with Matvei Michkov discussing his weight and fitness. Says he’s down about 30 pounds from where he was a year ago. Seems like he’s in a good headspace. I’m excited to watch him play this year. pic.twitter.com/gL0H4YlSiN
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) September 10, 2026
Briere had previously suggested that waiting to see how this season plays out might actually be the smarter approach for both sides, and that's the stance the front office ultimately stuck with, even as it watched other clubs rush to lock in max-term deals before the deadline hit.
To be clear, none of this means Michkov is unhappy in Philadelphia or that the Flyers have any hesitation about building around him long term.
He remains under team control, and Philadelphia can still negotiate an extension whenever both sides are ready. The only thing that's changed is the ceiling. As of today, the longest deal the Flyers can offer him is seven years instead of eight.
Leonard Deal Shows What Philadelphia Passed On
The Washington Capitals signed forward Ryan Leonard, drafted eighth overall in 2023, exactly one selection after Philadelphia took Michkov seventh, to an eight-year, $84 million extension carrying a $10.5 million average annual value, getting it done before the window closed.
Leonard is coming off a 45-point rookie season, solid production but a notably smaller sample than what Michkov has already put up in Philadelphia.
Michkov posted 63 points in his own rookie year before dipping to 51 points in a sophomore season where his ice time also declined, numbers that still compare favorably to what earned Leonard his long-term commitment in Washington.
Two teams that drafted back to back in 2023 took completely different paths on the same deadline, one securing its young player for the maximum term available, the other letting that option expire without a deal on the table.
None of this rules out Michkov eventually signing a long, lucrative extension in Philadelphia.
