Matvei Michkov signs with Flyers, expected to be ready for training camp

Matvei Michkov tries to adjust a Flyers cap on his head between Danny Briere, left, and Keith Jones last year after being drafted seventh overall by the club in Nashville. Michkov signed with the Flyers on Monday. (George Walker IV – The Associated Press)

VOORHEES, N.J. — How quickly things changed in the Flyers’ quest to get highly regarded draft pick Matvei Michkov to wear an orange, black and white uniform.

Just a few months ago, it seemed like the talented Russian player wouldn’t be able to free himself from his three-year deal with his Kontinental Hockey League club. But things started to move in early May when the NHL and KHL appeared to reach an agreement.

Last week, Michkov was allowed to opt out of his contract with SKA St. Petersburg. Then, on Monday afternoon, the Flyers announced they had signed Michkov to a three-year, entry-level contract, according to general manager Daniel Briere.

Otherwise, it was a quiet day for the Flyers on the first day of the NHL’s free-agent era. They didn’t sign any free agents, partly because of their salary cap situation but also because they appear determined to stick with their rebuilding program.

For now, Michkov will be more than enough. He was the No. 7 overall pick, the first of two first-round picks in last year’s NHL draft. And for now, his expectations are limitless.

“We are thrilled to have Matvei under contract and look forward to having him join our team at training camp in September,” said Briere, who said he expects Michkov to play in the NHL next season. “We have been following his development closely since the draft and to be able to add a player like Matvei, who brings high-level talent, skill and decisiveness, he will be a key part of our future.”

Michkov made it clear he wants to live up to the Flyers’ hopes.

“I am extremely happy to officially become a part of the Flyers family,” said Michkov. “Being in the NHL has been a dream of mine since childhood. I would like to warmly thank the Flyers management for their trust. I will do my best to meet their expectations.”

Briere spoke Monday about some of the obstacles Michkov, 19, faced in trying to get to North America.

“There were a lot of things that needed to happen in the background, but it was mostly for him,” Briere said. “It was nice when we finally got a chance to start talking to his agent and get that deal done.”

“We never thought when we selected him last summer that he would be here a year later. So it’s really exciting.”

Michkov spent most of last season with HC Sochi of the KHL, where he recorded 41 points in 47 games. He was previously owned by SKA St. Petersburg, where he played just one game before being loaned to HC Sochi for the remainder of the season.

The 5-foot-10, 176-pound right wing led Sochi in goals (19), ranked second overall in points (41) and was third on the team in assists (22). Over the course of the season, he recorded 11 multi-point games, including three three-point games, five separate three-game point streaks, including a four-game point streak as an under-20 player. He finished the season with five goals and eight points in his final nine games.

Briere said Michkov will not participate in this week’s development camp and likely won’t be here until September’s training camp. Briere is eager for Michkov to begin developing under head coach John Tortorella and his staff.

“This is an opportunity for Matvei to learn from a coach like Torts and I know he’s going to coach him the right way,” Briere said. “He’s going to be tough on him, he’s going to be fair. And he’s going to teach him the right way.”

“He’s going to come here and nothing is going to be handed to him. He’s going to have to earn it. Knowing how competitive we’ve been told he is, it’s going to be fun to watch. He’s got a lot to learn and he’s not going to be put above anyone.”

As for the idea of ​​Michkov finally being a true rebuilding player for the Flyers, Briere said: “It’s a little early to say. We’ve seen it on tape. It’s exciting. We see what he does. We’re looking forward to seeing that with the Flyers, but at the same time, we have to be careful. We don’t know how it’s going to go. I think it’s a little early, but he has a special skill set.”

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NOTES >> The Flyers also signed right wing Garnet Hathaway to a two-year, $4.8 million contract. Hathaway, 32, had seven goals and 17 points and ranked second among all NHL forwards in hits with 326. … The Flyers also re-signed defenseman Erik Johnson for another season at $1 million. And Briere said there was no new information regarding contract negotiations for Travis Konecny, who has one year left on his $5.5 million contract.