VOORHEES, N.J. – Usually the lines a coach runs through training camp don’t amount too much more than a well-intentioned experiment.
But in the case of the Flyers this year, there might be something a little more permanent around here.
We’re talking about the line of rookie right wing Matvei Michkov playing alongside center Morgan Frost and left wing Owen Tippett.
Both Frost and Tippett have been around a while and there’s already some built-in chemistry there.
Adding Michkov to the mix might be a bit of a wild card because he’s such a unique talent. Even players with extensive NHL experience occasionally catch themselves just staring at the young Russian for a moment or two to watch his unexpected moves.
After Friday’s training camp session at the Flyers Training Center, Frost talked about the possibility of starting the regular season (Oct. 11) with Michkov and Tippett on his flanks.
“It’s still early,” Frost said. “For me personally, I really have enjoyed playing with ‘Tippy’ and ‘Mich’ so far. So, I think they make it easier on me. It’s a little harder in some of these preseason games. You’re not going in on a ton of rest out there.
“I think we’ve made some good plays out there so it’s good to see.”
Coach John Tortorella watched Thursday night’s Flyers-Islanders game from upstairs and no doubt he was evaluating the whole picture.
“I think he was kind of watching everything,” Frost said. “You know, chemistry, and individual (play). I think it’s a different vantage point for him. I don’t know if it changes the way anyone plays. Just go out there and do your best. Obviously it’s still early, just trying to get back into the swing of things.”
Scott Laughton said he watched Sunday’s game at Washington and Monday night’s game at Montreal and came away impressed by Michkov’s performance.
“I thought he was the best player on the ice both games,” Laughton said. “He’s creating, he’s doing all the right things. He’s got a good attitude, so he’s getting rewarded. It’s been fun to see. He’s taken a big step.”
Could this line possibly stick together?
“I think you want to start working on that as you get deeper into camp,” Laughton said. “You start seeing some different combinations. We’ll see where it goes. If you can kind of work on some things, chemistry and get things going, it can only help.”
>Kolosov arrives, practices
Goaltender Alexei Kolosov, a third-round pick in the 2021 draft, arrived at camp on Friday and took part in some drills. He was not made available to the media but, according to team officials, will be at some point.
Kolosov created some headlines recently when he made it known he wanted to spend another season playing back in Belarus. The Flyers were not exactly thrilled with this idea, since the player signed an entry-level contract in July, 2023. He did manage to get into a pair of games with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the end of last season before returning home.
Recently, Kolosov apparently had a change of mind and high-tailed it back to Philadelphia
When asked if Kolosov might see some preseason action, Tortorella chose not to commit.
“I have no idea,” he said.
