The Philadelphia Flyers confirmed Tuesday they have not received a formal trade request from right wing Matvei Michkov and were surprised to learn he wants to play elsewhere, according to ESPN sources.
Michkov, 21, leads the Flyers in goals with 10 and shares the team lead in points with 14 through 20 games. He is in his third NHL season and will become a restricted free agent when his entry-level contract expires this summer. The Flyers selected him seventh overall in the 2023 NHL draft.
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Tensions between Michkov and the organization have existed behind the scenes, sources said. Those tensions surfaced publicly Monday during a 3-1 win over Vancouver, when Michkov and defenseman Nick Seeler exchanged heated words on the bench in the second period. Teammates including Porter Martone intervened to calm the situation.
Michkov has scored 46 goals across his first two NHL seasons and finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting in 2025. Last season, former coach Rick Tocchet publicly questioned his conditioning and scratched him for Philadelphia’s final playoff game. Michkov missed time before the 2025–26 season recovering from an ankle injury, which affected his training. Though he arrived at camp in improved shape this year, sources say he remains unsettled in his role.
Philadelphia is 5-10-5 and ranks 14th in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers opened the season with a franchise-record winless streak and continue to seek center depth — having attempted to sign Leo Carlsson via offer sheet over the summer.
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