Overview
- Reporters at the Flyers Training Center observed Michkov skating with a slimmer stride and quicker bursts during early on-ice drills.
- Michkov told Russian media he dropped from about 205 pounds to 176 during the offseason and worked with Flyers performance coach Lorne Goldenberg in Russia.
- General manager Danny Brière praised what he called increased maturity and a new swagger, saying the forward trained harder after a sophomore season marked by conditioning problems.
- Coach Rick Tocchet limited Michkov’s minutes last season and scratched him in two playoff games because of pace and conditioning concerns, which the player has cited as motivation to change his routine.
- Michkov enters a pivotal year for the Flyers’ rebuild because he will be a restricted free agent next summer and his camp showing will influence roster roles, power-play opportunities, and contract discussions.