Bob Frid-Imagn Images
One day after Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith ushered in a new era in the Bay Area with their first NHL games for the San Jose Sharks, Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko did the same for the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.
Fans won’t get to see them at the Wells Fargo Center until Game 5 of the season, on Oct. 19. And while both rookies were held off the scoresheet in Vancouver, the Flyers started their season on a high note, with a come-from-behind 3-2 shootout win.
Michkov and Luchanko both took regular shifts throughout a tight game, including during 3-on-3 overtime. They both played at even strength and on the power play.
“They deserved to play,” said Flyers coach John Tortorella. “I thought Mish looked a little nervous. Both of them made some good plays. Had some struggles too, (same) as probably all the hockey players — all 40 of them out there tonight.
“I like what they bring. I don’t think they’re afraid of anything.”
Chosen 13th overall by the Flyers at the draft in Vegas last June, Luchanko became the youngest player ever to suit up for a game for the Flyers on Friday night, at 18 years and 51 days. Born on Aug. 21, 2006, he’s also more than two months younger than the only other member of the 2024 draft class to make an opening-night roster this year — Celebrini.
“It’s always nice to be able to get over the boards as much as I can,” Luchanko said. “Hopefully we can keep that going.”
In 14:36 of ice time, he did let Teddy Blueger slip away for a back-door tap-in that put the Canucks up 2-1 midway through the second period.
Because of the circumstances, Tortorella was nonplussed.
“Jett loses his guy going to the net,” he said. “But I thought the first play was, I don’t think (goalie Samuel Ersson) needed to rim it.”
With better communication, he suggested, Ersson could have more safely advanced the puck to defenseman Egor Zamula, giving him a chance at a safer breakout.
With the Flyers eager to shore up their depth down the middle, Luchanko debuted as a third-line center. Two other high draft picks, Joel Farabee and Bobby Brink, skated on his wings.
“It’s a little bit different than where I’ve played before, but you’re also playing with those players as well,” Luchanko said after the game. “So it’s easier and harder at the same time.”
Farabee was impressed by both his new teammates.
“I feel like when I played my first game, I was really just trying not to mess up out there,” he said. “Those guys just went out and played their game. That’s what we need them to do if we’re going to be successful.”
Both Michkov and Luchanko got a chance to break open a tie game midway through the third period. Out together after a Flyers penalty kill, Michkov drove to the net and Luchanko followed up with a shot at what looked like a wide-open net.
With the help of some teammates, Vancouver stopper Kevin Lankinen was able to keep the puck out of harm’s way.
Making his NHL debut two years earlier than expected after securing his release from his KHL team in Russia, 19-year-old Michkov teased the potential that has made him a hot topic of conversation among prospect-watchers ever since he put up 12 goals in seven games and won MVP honors over Shane Wright and Connor Bedard as a double-underager at the 2021 World U18 championship.
On Friday, Michkov’s impressive puck skills became more apparent as the game went on. In 18:32 of ice time, all four of his shots came in the third period. Going second in the shootout, he drew boos from the faithful in Vancouver before making a nice move that was denied by Lankinen.
Last season, the Flyers ranked 27th on offense and dead last on the power play. Tortorella understands that Michkov’s game creates a high-end threat that has been lacking from his team’s attack. As such, he has pledged to let the rookie be true to himself and play to his strengths.
“I don’t want to turn him into a checker,” Tortorella told the media on Thursday. “I want him to score some goals for us. He’s going to make some mistakes. He’s going to cheat sometimes. We want him to.”
“I think we’re kind of just a pesky team, and we hang around there,” said Morgan Frost, who scored the shootout winner. “I wouldn’t say it was our best game, but I thought we did some good things, and just some stuff to clean up.
“For the first game, it’s not an easy place to come in and play. And, you know, two points.”
Michkov and Luchanko will now get their first taste of an NHL back-to-back. The Flyers will face the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.
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