Oct 26, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (39) controls the puck against the Minnesota Wild in the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Flyers are averaging fewer than three goals a game this season. And while there are many fingers to point as to why that is, one of them cannot be pointed at Matvei Michkov.
In his first month of NHL action, the rookie winger led all rookies in goals (4), power-play goals (3), ad power-play points (6). He was tied for the NHL lead among rookies in shooting percentage (minimum: 1 SOG/GP; t-20.0%), total points (9) and power play assists (3).
And because he accumulated such impressive counting stats for a rookie, he has been named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for October.
MM39 HAS ARRIVED.
Congrats to Matvei Michkov on being named the @NHL's Rookie of the Month for October. #LetsGoFlyers https://t.co/j6ZOhJhGFr
Michkov is the first Flyers rookie to win this honor since James van Riemsdyk in November 2009 - which doesn't say a whole heck of a lot for the way things had been going for the Flyers from a player development perspective for the better part of the past 15 years.
According to a league release, Michkov edged out Dallas Stars center Logan Stankoven (1-8-9 in 9 GP), Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (0-7-7 in 11 GP), Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake (3-2-5 in 9 GP), New York Islanders right wing Maxim Tsyplakov (1-4-5 in 10 GP) and Colorado Avalanche goaltender Justus Annunen (4-1-0, 2.48 GAA, .905 SV%) for the honor.
MICHKOV GOAL ALERT ⚠️
That's his first on home ice and his ninth point in eight games!! pic.twitter.com/1k6wI6wfGn
MIchkov is also among the NHL's rookie leaders in assists with five (No. 3) and shots on goal with 20 (No. 3). He also has had more ice time than any other rookie forward in the league, averaging 18:26 per game.
(Hutson is averaging 22:48 but is a defenseman).
In his first 11 games, Michkov had a two-goal game against Edmonton, becoming the first Flyer to score their first two career goals in the same game since Vaclav "Vinnie" Prospal in 1997.
Michkov will begin the effort to repeat as Rookie of the Month in November starting Saturday afternoon against Boston, the first of 14 games for Philadelphia this month.
