The Flyers hit the ice in Edmonton at 12:30 p.m. ET this morning, and all eyes are on Matvei Michkov.
UPDATE (8:05 AM ET): Stefen Rosner says he doesn't see the Flyers trading Michkov within the division, but he'd expect Islanders GM Mathieu Darche to inquire anyway, because "he always does." Rosner added that if Philadelphia is willing to move Tippett, Konecny or Michkov, he'd expect New York to explore all three.
Vinnie Parise wrote in October about the Blackhawks pursuing Michkov. He says the point still stands, noting that seeing Michkov alongside Connor Bedard would be interesting, since the two were often compared in their draft year.
Kevin Weekes reported, citing multiple league sources, that the 21-year-old forward would likely want a fresh start elsewhere. The report is unconfirmed, and the Flyers say they haven't been made aware of anything.
Beat writer B. Sommermann wrote that Michkov will obviously be asked to speak at the skate, but whether the team makes him available is still to be determined.
Sommermann also floated a possible explanation for the earlier "I want support" comment. He thinks Michkov probably meant he wanted to be supportive, and with the young Russian still learning English, he may not have known the difference. That is Sommermann's read, not a confirmed account of what was meant, and it comes on top of the beat writers' split on the Michkov and Seeler clash.
On the team's side, Jordan Hall relayed that a source says the Flyers have not been made aware of any possibility Michkov would want out.
Chris Johnston added that the Flyers have not received a formal trade request, and that Michkov is not a player they're looking to trade.
Wyshynski and Pagnotta both say the team was caught off guard. Jackie Spiegel reports that one source called it "news to me."
What the Flyers face tonight in Edmonton
Earlier this week, we reported on the Weekes report that rocked the Flyers, and the picture hasn't changed much. A rumor is out, the team says it knows nothing, and the player hasn't said a word on the record.
Michkov has 10 goals and 4 assists in 20 games, and five of those goals came on the power play. He is also in the last year of his entry-level deal and will be a restricted free agent, so this story isn't going away soon.
The bench altercation with Nick Seeler in Vancouver sits in the background too, and Daniel Briere has already commented on it.
The team can't change what's been reported. Putting Michkov at the podium, even for two minutes, beats leaving an empty stall and letting every theory fill the silence.
The Flyers are 5-10-5 and 27th in the NHL, and they face an Oilers team sitting third at 13-3-3. The skate will show how the Flyers want to handle this before the game even starts.
Jackie Spiegel confirmed the timing for those following along in Edmonton.
More to come.
Quick hits
LOS ANGELES KINGSDrew Doughty appears to have avoided injury after a scare late in the Kings' loss to Nashville, Andrew Knoll reports. L.A. can breathe again, because the blue line is thin enough without him.
MONTREAL CANADIENSCole Caufield's slashing penalty with 53 seconds left in regulation cost Montreal in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Wild Tuesday night. Fans are not happy, and it's easy to see why.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETSAdam Fantilli and Brady Tkachuk traded blows after a corner battle in the third period as the Blue Jackets hosted the Panthers, per Aaron Portzline. That's a bit of playoff-style edge in November.
OTTAWA SENATORSCole Hutson scored his first career overtime goal as the Capitals beat the Senators 3-2 in Ottawa. It's a painful way to lose at home.
NASHVILLE PREDATORSJuuse Saros is confirmed to start in Los Angeles tonight against Anton Forsberg. The Predators go with their number one after the Kings' loss to Nashville that rattled L.A.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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