The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Department of Player Safety announced that Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov has been fined $2,473.96, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for high sticking Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield.
The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
The incident occurred at 11:35 of the third period. Michkov was assessed a minor penalty for high-sticking.
This is the first time in Michkov’s career he has been fined in the NHL.
The 20-year-old has 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 35 games this season, Michkov currently leads all NHL rookies in points and is tied for first in goals with San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini.
Michkov signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flyers back on July 1 with a cap hit of $950,000. However, his AAV is up to $4.25 million thanks to a possible $3.3 million in performance bonuses.
Philly originally took the Perm native with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Yet, Michkov couldn’t join the team right away, as he was still under contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League. However, SKA released from his deal this past summer, allowing the Flyers to come in and sign him.
The Flyers are currently 6th in the Metropolitan Division with a 16-17-4 record and 36 points through 37 games. Philadelphia is set to face the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.
Prior to joining the Flyers, Michkov racked up 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points while playing for HK Sochi in the KHL. Michkov ranked first on the team in goals and second in points.
