The Philadelphia Flyers, currently enjoying a successful season with an 18-11-4 record and sitting at 12th place in the NHL, received disconcerting news from Russia that may cast a shadow over their prospects. The team’s general manager, Danny Briere, may find this development more chilling than the winter weather.
Renowned Russian agent Shumi Babaev, discussing the situation surrounding his client Nikita Evseev, revealed in a conversation with MatchTV that they had received an order from the president stipulating that young players should remain in Russia. This announcement is significant, considering recent speculations about the Russian Ice Hockey Federation formulating rules dictating how long teenage prospects must play in Russia before pursuing opportunities elsewhere.
For the Flyers, this news could potentially disrupt their plans for Matvei Michkov, as the speculated wait time for young players like him might extend to 4-5 years. Despite Michkov’s current KHL contract only running through 2026, the new regulations could impede his timely arrival. Additionally, 2023 draft pick Yegor Zavragin, who turned 18 in August, has yet to play in the KHL, further complicating the Flyers’ rebuilding timeline.
4-5 years/seasons seems the norm now for KHL players to stay over there.
One exception to this was #CBJ Chinakhov who came over after 1 year.
So #LetsGoFlyers Michkov will have 5 full seasons before coming over. (If he doesn't somehow get outta contract).
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) December 25, 2023
Fortunately, the Flyers can breathe a sigh of relief regarding Alexei Kolosov, a Belarusian goalie who has already signed a contract with the team. While currently on loan with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk, located in Belarus and not Russia, there is a higher likelihood that Kolosov will eventually join the Flyers.
Nevertheless, the Flyers face the reality of waiting until 2026 for Michkov and potentially even longer for Zavragin. The geopolitical landscape, coupled with the terminated Memorandum of Understanding between the NHL and the KHL, introduces uncertainties that may exacerbate the situation. In response, the Flyers must employ all available resources to ensure Michkov’s smooth transition to Philadelphia when the time finally arrives. The fate of their rebuild hinges on navigating these challenges in the ever-evolving world of international hockey politics.
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