Flyers Fans Irrational About Matvei Michkov, Experts Say

Upcoming Olympic break provides respite from team's poor performance this season.

Feb. 8, 2026 at 8:31am

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The Philadelphia Flyers, who have lost 12 of their last 15 games, are not scheduled to play again for another two-and-a-half weeks due to the Winter Olympics. While some fans may welcome the break from the team's poor performance, others have become irrationally fixated on the prospect of drafting Russian prospect Matvei Michkov in the upcoming NHL draft.

Why it matters

The Flyers have struggled mightily this season, leading to growing frustration among the team's fanbase. Some fans have become overly focused on the possibility of drafting Michkov, a highly touted Russian prospect, as a way to turn the team's fortunes around, despite the uncertainty surrounding his NHL future.

The details

The Flyers have been a disappointment this season, losing 12 of their last 15 games. The upcoming Olympic break will provide a respite from the team's poor play, though some fans have become irrationally fixated on the prospect of drafting Matvei Michkov, a highly touted Russian prospect, in the upcoming NHL draft as a way to turn the team's fortunes around.

  • The Flyers won't play again for another two-and-a-half weeks due to the Winter Olympics.

The players

Matvei Michkov

A highly touted Russian prospect who some Flyers fans have become irrationally fixated on drafting in the upcoming NHL draft.

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The takeaway

The Flyers' struggles this season have led to growing frustration among the team's fanbase, with some fans becoming overly focused on the possibility of drafting a Russian prospect as a way to turn the team's fortunes around, despite the uncertainty surrounding his NHL future.