What happened: Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet denied Wednesday that winger Matvei Michkov requested a trade from the club. Speaking ahead of a matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, Tocchet stated that rumors of a trade request are untrue. Michkov affirmed he remains happy in Philadelphia and is solely focused on playing.
Why it matters: The denial follows earlier confirmations that the Flyers intend to keep Matvei Michkov despite outside chatter during a difficult start to the year. Philadelphia has dropped 15 of its first 20 games after reaching the second round of the postseason last spring. Keeping the focus on the ice remains vital as the organization builds around its top young forward.
By the numbers: Michkov leads Philadelphia with 10 goals and shares the team lead with 14 points through 20 games. The Flyers have lost 15 of their first 20 contests to open the 2026-27 campaign.
What to watch: Philadelphia visits the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night looking to halt their early-season slump.