What does Michkov’s sizzling start mean for his next contract with Flyers?
Following Tuesday night’s loss to the Minnesota Wild, the Philadelphia Flyers fell to a record of 4-9-4 on the season. It goes without saying that it has been a campaign full of disappointments to this point, but one of the few bright spots has been the play of winger Matvei Michkov.
Michkov, who turns 22 next month, has 10 goals and three assists through 17 games this season. After a polarizing sophomore campaign last year, Michkov’s improved off-season conditioning has seemingly gotten him back on track and looking like the player that the Flyers hoped he’d be when they selected him seventh overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Michkov is in the final year of his entry-level contract, and his hot start has many wondering what his next deal will look like. Speaking with sources earlier this week, Daily Faceoff was told there have been no discussions to this point with Michkov’s camp on what the player’s next deal could look like. That being said, it is never too early to start projecting it.
Historically, the Flyers have liked to bridge their younger players following their ELCs. According to sources, while a bridge isn’t off the table for Michkov, there does seem to be an appetite to explore several options as to what his next contract will ultimately be.
The least likely outcome is a four-year contract, per sources, as that would walk Michkov right to UFA status. The only way this is a possibility is if the team were to get a significant discount on the average annual value; given where the salary cap is going, that would likely come south of $8 million per season.
On a bridge deal (three years, for example), sources told DFO that an AAV in the range of Travis Konecny’s $8.75 million would be in the ballpark at this point. Forward Trevor Zegras is currently the team’s highest-paid forward after signing a four-year extension last summer, with his AAV coming in at $9.125 million.
What will be tricky is if the Flyers and Michkov elect to go long term on a contract. A 17-game sample size this season is not yet enough for either side to get an accurate read on what the player’s value is at this juncture. Sources told DFO that it is too early to really hone in on a number on a six-year contract, for example, and that the team would need to see a larger sample of Michkov’s play deeper into the season to make a commitment of that length.
In the event that Michkov continues his 49-goal pace, Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier’s six-year, $81-million contract would likely be a direct comparable, per sources. Gauthier, who is a year older than Michkov, registered 41 goals and 69 points last season before signing his extension last summer. While Michkov is on pace to surpass Gauthier in goals, the former is on pace for 64 points overall, which could see his AAV come in at a lower number than $13.5 million.
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The rising salary cap will play a factor – it is set to rise $9.5 million ahead of next season (and an additional $14 million the season after – and if Michkov continues this near-50-goal pace, it could cost the Flyers well into the 10 figures. For the moment it is still too early in the season and talks have yet to pick up – it will certainly be interesting to watch as the season drags on.
The Flyers project to have more than $26 million of cap space next season.
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