What happened: Philadelphia sits 2-6-3 after consecutive wins following an 0-6-3 start, one year after beating Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Matvei Michkov has 6 goals and 1 assist in 11 games, including two in the latest win. Chicago's young core around Connor Bedard makes it a potential landing spot for a fresh start, with nothing agreed.

Why it matters: Chicago pairs elite setup talent in Bedard and Anton Frondell with a need for finishers, and Michkov fits that age group alongside Roman Kantserov, another KHL arrival. He fell to seventh in 2023 over his KHL contract after being discussed alongside Bedard, Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli and Will Smith, keeping any acquisition cost centered on picks and prospects from Chicago's stockpile.

What to watch: Watch whether Philadelphia listens on Michkov and what Chicago would offer from its draft capital as other suitors emerge.