Matvei Michkov posts Instagram Story on airplane, ignites speculation on him joining the Flyers sooner than expected

Philadelphia Flyers top prospect Matvei Michkov caused quite the stir on social media on Monday, posting a picture of him on a plane with the caption “what’s next”.

Back in early-July, the Flyers announced that Michkov officially signed a three-year ELC contract after being released from at the time, his contract with SKA.

Michkov played 1 game for SKA last season, for a total of about 6 minutes TOI. He was then loaned to HC Sochi where he put up 19G-22A-41P in 47 games. The 19-year old played with pneumonia for almost 3/4 of the season and still managed 41 points in 47 games. Add the fact that Sochi might be the worst team in the KHL, and it’s all that more impressive.

After he inked his ELC with the Flyers, we have been on full “Michkov Watch” trying to track when he would finally be making the trip to Philadelphia.

His story on Instagram today sparked widespread speculation that he is en route.

Matvei Michkov Instagram Story 🛫

WHERE TO NEXT?! #FLYERS

MATVEI MICHKOV IS ON A PLANE. pic.twitter.com/qX2zuyUUHU

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) July 22, 2024

Flyers fans on Twitter are all over Michkov’s flights trying to figure out his game of cat and mouse and if the photos posted actually mean he’s coming to Philly.

According to Chris (@cval610), Michkov was aboard an Emirates business class flight, that could have been departing from Moscow to the United States. From there, Chris found two flights, one of which left at 9:40 am EDT – almost EXACTLY when Michkov posted the photo on Instagram.

Important to note: You can’t really fly from Russia to the United States these days. The flights found by Chris on Twitter show a layover in Dubai and then a flight that would have Michkov landing at the international hub in New York – John F. Kennedy Airport.

Now we’re cooking with gas. I have no idea if Chris is onto something or not but the anticipation of Michkov alone is enough to have me running through brick walls today.

Michkov to Philly…?

Is Michkov on his way to the United States? Well, just last week Michkov potentially revealed when he would be flying to North America to join the Flyers.

In the interview, he stated that he would be “leaving now on the 20th” and “flying away” assuming everything worked out with his travel plans. 

Matvei Michkov “Traveling on the 20th”

Whether that meant July 20th or August 20th – it appears that Michkov will be in Philly within the next month. Get ready.