The game: 10:00 p.m., NBC Sports Philadelphia and 97.5 The Fanatic
The 2026-27 was supposed to have excitement surrounding it because the Flyers were finally getting Matvei Michkov playing regular season hockey in a Flyers uniform. Well, good things come quickly who those who can’t wait! The rebuild is accelerating somewhat with Michkov arriving two years earlier, starting his Flyers career in Vancouver as the season kicks off Friday night against the Canucks. It’s one of the more highly anticipated openers in recent memory as Philadelphia looks to get things off on the right foot with a win.
Players to watch
Matvei Michkov
The Mad Russian gets his NHL career underway at Rogers Arena against a team the Flyers have had historically great success against (81-38-13) and a solid record in Vancouver’s barn (36-16-12). Michkov understandably might have some butterflies and jitters the first few shifts but as he has shown in both Rookie Camp and the preseason action he seems to settle down quickly and find his talented game. Michkov had seven points in the preseason which could be a sign he’ll have a great opening to start 2024-25.
If anything, a few power plays this game could be a signal that the Flyers might have finally improved if not solved their criminally bad power play success rate. When 15 per cent is seen as improve you know you have a lot to enhance. Michkov, who manned the first unit in preseason as if he was a veteran, brings a lot of opponents to him, giving the other Flyers space they’ve not seen in some time. It’s bound to be something to look forward to this year rather than go to the fridge, go for a nature call, or simply roll up in the fetal position and wait for the man advantage to end as was all of 2023-24.
Jamie Drysdale
One of the “ones to watch” this season on the blueline is obviously Drysdale. It’s rare that a recently acquired blueliner who has played all of 24 games for Philadelphia has been under such scrutiny for the simple fact he was part of the Gauthier trade. Now reportedly fully healthy after a trying 2023-24 and the core injury corrected via surgery, Drysdale should take a step forward, realizing some of his potential on the power play with the puck and using his speed to create space offensively and shut space down in his own zone.
Drysdale might have a bit of a dilemma opening night depending on the health of partner Nick Seeler. Seeler missed practices prior to the West Coast trek after taking a shot in Boston on the leg and feeling numbness days later. Whoever he’s paired with, it’s hopefully temporary before Seeler is fine. But one thing is for sure, a lot of the Flyers’ success could depend on how good Drysdale (with a full 82 games of Brad Shaw’s help) is at both ends of the ice.
Jett Luchanko
When Michkov looks to be the old pro compared to young’un Jett Luchanko, you know the Flyers are definitely heading in the right direction toward the fountains of youth. Now that a decision has been made and he is on the team, the first of what could be nine games (dare I say more?) begins with him positioned on the third line with who appears to be Bobby Brink and Joel Farabee as his wingers. Luchanko’s maturity has been his second biggest asset outside of his ridiculous speed. It’s something that the Flyers will need especially against the Canucks and Oilers on this trek, both teams lending themselves to run and gun.
Luchanko could have the same jitters as Michkov. But given how much poise he’s shown given the situation, it’s apparent a bad game, some costly turnovers or ill-timed penalties shouldn’t cause him to quickly crumble. Look for either Luchanko or Michkov to pot their first NHL goal in this contest. Either way, the thought that a 19-year-old and a recently turned 18-year-old would make their NHL debuts as Flyers in 2024-25 is a bet I would’ve never made.
Projected lineups
Philadelphia Flyers
Matvei Michkov — Sean Couturier — Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett — Morgan Frost — Tyson Foerster
Joel Farabee — Jett Luchanko — Bobby Brink
Scott Laughton — Ryan Poehling — Garnet Hathaway
Cam York — Travis Sanheim
Erik Johnson? — Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula — Rasmus Ristolainen
Sam Ersson
(Ivan Fedotov)
Vancouver Canucks
Danton Heinen — J.T. Miller — Brock Boesner
Jake DeBrusk — Elias Pettersson — Daniel Sprong
Nils Hoglander — Aatu Raty — Conor Garland
Arshdeep Bains — Teddy Blueger — Kiefer Sherwood
Quinn Hughes — Filip Hronek
Carson Soucy — Tyler Myers
Derek Forbort — Vincent DesharnaisKevin Lankinen
(Arturs Silovs)
