Bobby Brink, Matvei Michkov among Flyers to watch as preseason schedule gets underway

The Philadelphia Flyers 2024 preseason schedule got underway on Sunday afternoon with the Orange and Black rolling to a 6-2 victory over the Washington Capitals.

Bobby Brink and Matvei Michkov, who were among the standout performers in John Tortorella’s squad, are two of several players to watch closely over the next few weeks.

2024 first round selection Jett Luchanko, as well as key veterans Sean Couturier and Rasmus Ristolainen will also be among those to monitor during preseason camp.

Here is a breakdown of the Top 5 Flyers to Watch during the 2024 preseason schedule:

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Bobby Brink – Forward

Brink scored twice in the Nation’s Capital on Sunday, setting the tone early for the 23-year-old. A former second round draft pick by the Flyers in 2019, Brink is coming into his second full NHL season.

He scored 11 goals and added 12 assists for 23 points in 57 regular season games last season. Brink took a major step forward in his rookie campaign with the Orange and Black and will be keen to continue developing in 2024-25.

A strong two-way player, Brink could see a larger role in Tortorella’s system this year.

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Matvei Michkov – Forward

The hype around 19-year-old Matvei Michkov looks to be very real.

Michkov made his preseason debut on Sunday and walked away with his first two assists in the process. The Russian winger also scored once against the New York Rangers in a Rookie Camp game last weekend, showing Flyers fans an early glimpse of his potential.

Matvei Michkov’s 2nd assist of the night and Morgan Frost’s 2nd goal. pic.twitter.com/MO1z9NmFnC

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) September 22, 2024

Michkov scored 19 goals and added 22 assists for 41 points in 47 games with HK Sochi in the KHL last season. Although he hasn’t stepped foot in the AHL or ECHL, Michkov has a very good opportunity to stay with the Flyers if he continues to deliver points in the next few weeks.

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Jett Luchanko – Forward

Another promising Flyers prospect is 18-year-old forward Jett Luchanko.

Luchanko was drafted No. 13 overall by the Flyers earlier this year and has quickly made a positive impact in the squad. He also added two assists in Sunday’s win over Washington, showing smooth hands in the offensive side of the ice.

After contributing 77 combined points (regular season and playoffs) in 73 appearances with the Guelph Storm of the OHL, Luchanko is ready to take a major step forward in his career.

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Rasmus Ristolainen & Sean Couturier – Defenseman/Forward

Whether or not the Flyers decide to keep him on the NHL roster remains to be seen, but I imagine we see him in some form this year.

These two veterans got bunched together due to the fact they both enter the season fresh off respective surgeries this summer.

Couturier, who remains team captain of the Flyers, underwent sports hernia surgery this summer and is aiming to get back to his best. The 31-year-old has dealt with multiple back issues over each of the past two seasons, but still remains a key figure both on the ice and in the locker room.

Couturier registered 38 points in 74 games last season and will certainly be needed healthy if the Flyers want to be competitive in the Metropolitan Division.

Ristolainen, 29, featured in only 31 games last season due to multiple injuries throughout the year. The 6-feet 4 defenseman is entering his fourth season with the Flyers after coming over from the Buffalo Sabres in 2021.

While Travis Sanheim will be the leader of the blue-line, Ristolainen remains equally as important to the Flyers defensive corps.

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