Charlie O'Connor just shared the Flyers' morning skate lines in Edmonton, and Matvei Michkov is on the third line tonight.
Rasmus Ristolainen also looks set to return to the blue line, and Daniel Vladar is in the starter's net as the Flyers (5-10-5) face the Oilers.
O'Connor noted that Ristolainen appears ready to come back tonight, with Vladar getting the net.
Michkov is the name that jumps off the sheet. He skates with Porter Martone and Noah Cates, and the team sheet lists him as a center, so his usage is changing on a night when the noise around him is loudest.
That noise is no secret. The trade-request storm has followed him all week, and the heated moment on the Flyers bench in Vancouver only fed it.
Michkov has 10 goals in 20 games, five of them on the power play. Burying that kind of shooter on the third line is a questionable choice for a team sitting 27th in the NHL.
What Ristolainen's return changes on the back end
Ristolainen has played just 4 games this season and scored 1 goal. He was listed on injured reserve with a hand injury, expected out until at least Nov. 11, according to the latest injury report, so tonight lines up with that estimate.
He slots next to Nick Seeler on the third pair, and that detail is not lost on anyone. Seeler was on the other end of the bench clash with Michkov, and Martone's role in that video only added a twist to a line that now includes him.
The veteran's return also pushes Simon Benoit and David Jiricek into the extra pair. Who gives up ice time when the group is full? Rick Tocchet will have to answer that quickly if Ristolainen holds his spot.
Across the ice, Jack Michaels reported that Mike Babcock confirmed Tristan Jarry will start for Edmonton. Jarry is 7-0-1 in his last 8 against Philadelphia.
Vladar has a tough assignment in a building where the Flyers are 2-6-2 on the road this season. Puck drop is tonight, and Tocchet's lines will be tested early.
Should the Flyers keep Matvei Michkov on the third line after tonight?
Quick hits
CALGARY FLAMESJonathan Huberdeau and Sam Honzek were full participants in the Flames' morning skate Wednesday, Ryan Pike reported. That's a notable step for both, and it gives Calgary some welcome lineup hope.
INJURYSenators forward Nick Cousins is out a week to 10 days after the Jakob Chychrun hit, Bruce Garrioch reported this morning. Ottawa now has a clear timeline to plan around.
GOALIE WATCHAndrei Vasilevskiy looks like the Lightning's starter tonight in Buffalo, according to beat writer EddieInTheYard at the optional skate. No surprise there, but it's worth watching.
DALLAS STARSRobert Tiffin reported there was no sign of Miro Heiskanen at Stars practice today, one day before Dallas hosts the Jets. That's a concerning absence to watch before puck drop.
GOALIE MATCHUPDans Les Coulisses reports Jakub Dobes looks like the Canadiens' goalie for Thursday in Boston. Montreal will see if he can keep the team rolling against the Bruins.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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