The Flyers have never had a Calder Memorial Trophy/NHL rookie of the year award winner but that could be changing shortly.
Matvei Michkov looks like a legitimate candidate to bring home the honor.
With the season headed down to its final month, the 20-year-old Russian finds himself tied with San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini for the lead among freshman goal-scorers with 20 (as of Friday).
Montreal first-year defenseman Lane Hutson tops the charts with 51 points (which include 47 assists), while Celebrini has 49 points and Michkov 47. Both of the latter have seven power-play goals.
What Michkov has going for him are a pair of rookie of the month awards, including October and February.
After Friday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J., Michkov was asked if this award is something he’s keeping his eye on as the games start to dwindle down.
“Not sure what to tell you about that,” Michkov said through an interpreter. “I just want to enjoy hockey and try to make the playoffs.”
The Flyers have had two close calls for the Calder Trophy throughout their 58 years of business.
Back in 1972-73, future Hall of Famer Bill Barber had an outstanding rookie campaign but was edged out by the New York Rangers’ Steve Vickers.
Then, in 1986-87, goaltender Ron Hextall enjoyed a memorable first year, leading the Flyers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs vs. Edmonton (postseason play doesn’t count for the Calder), but finished second to Los Angeles Kings’ standout Luc Robitaille.
It would be nice if Michkov finished with a surge and was rewarded for his efforts.
Either way, he vows not to be disappointed if the trophy doesn’t go his way.
“Whether I achieve it or not, nothing will change,” he said. “My main thing is to keep working.”
Michkov was asked if he pays attention to other rookies around the NHL, such as Hutson, Celebrini, former Flyer Cutter Gauthier of Anaheim or Will Smith of the Sharks.
“It’s impossible not to watch because everytime it’s on the Jumbotron (center-ice scoreboard), they show it,” Michkov said. “The other rookies are playing really good. I’m trying to score as well.”
One other topic of interest for Michkov is the play of Washington superstar and fellow Russian countryman Alex Ovechkin.
As of Friday, Ovechkin stood just nine goals from passing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time mark of 894.
The Flyers are scheduled to play the Capitals in D.C. on Thursday and Michkov will get a chance to see if Ovechkin can get a little closer to the historic mark and possibly break it in this last month of regular-season play.
“It’s always a pleasure to play against players like Alex,” Michkov said. “It’s a big honor. Especially to be in the league when he is so close to this amazing level of goals.”
No doubt all Russian hockey fans will have their eyes glued to satellite TV as the countdown continues.
There’s some anticipation over here in North America as well.
“Everybody’s waiting for it and it’s a big honor for all the players in the league to be in the presence of that happening,” Michkov said.
For Michkov, it might be almost as exciting as watching that Flyers’ streak of no Calder Trophy winners come to an end as well.
