Flyers' Matvei Michkov Reportedly Eyeing Trade, Latest NHL Rumors amid Contract Year

Matvei Michkov is reportedly ready to part ways with Rick Tocchet and the Philadelphia Flyers.

NHL insider Kevin Weekes reported Tuesday Michkov has a "preference to have a fresh start elsewhere" after the Flyers' 5-10-5 start to the season.

Weekes described Michkov as a "very much in demand potential trade target."

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The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta and ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported the Flyers hadn't heard from Michkov's camp about a trade request.

Michkov, who is scheduled to hit restricted free agency next summer, currently leads the Flyers with 10 goals in 20 games.

Selected by the Flyers with the seventh pick in the 2023 draft, Michkov made the jump from the KHL to North America ahead of the 2024-25 season.

He scored 26 goals as a rookie, but saw his production decrease after Tocchet was hired as head coach ahead of his sophomore 2026-26 campaign.

Tocchet started out his first season in Philadelphia by switching Michkov from right to left wing and later decreased his ice time. When asked about Michkov's drop in usage last February, Tocchet said the winger "did not come into camp in shape."

Flyers general manager Danny Briere said at the time when asked about Tocchet's comment that Michkov was "going to be here for a long time."

Michkov's standing with the Flyers seemingly improved after the Olympic break, but he was healthy scratched in the playoffs both during his team's first-round series victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins and their second-round sweep by the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Flyers' relationship with Michkov has once more been under scrutiny this season.

Tocchet has tested out splitting up a previously successful duo of Michkov and Martone. Veteran defenseman Nick Seeler accused his teammates of being selfish shortly before having a seemingly heated exchange with Michkov on the bench.

Sean Couturier has called the Flyers "soft" this season. Michkov's reported interest in seeking a trade could be another sign there is locker room discord in Philadelphia just months after the team's trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals.