Flyers’ Matvei Michkov named to All-Rookie team

Flyers forward Matvei Michkov and should-have-been Flyer Cutter Gautheir of the Anaheim Ducks are two of the players named Thursday to the NHL’s 2024-25 All-Rookie Team.

Michkov is the 11th Flyer in team history to earn the honor, joining most recent selection Shayne Gostisbehere (2015-16), Joni Pitkanen (2003-04) and Brian Boucher and Simon Gagne (both in 1999-2000) in more recent years.

Michkov, 20, scored 26 goals and 63 points in 80 games. He led the Flyers in goals and was second only to Travis Konecny (76f) in points. Michkov also led all NHL rookies in goals and overtime goals (3), and was tied for second for most points.

And yet Michkov didn’t get real consideration for the Calder Trophy, given annually to the NHL’s rookie of the year. The three finalists there were Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) and Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames).

Gauthier, 21, didn’t rank in that company, either, despite scoring 20 goals and 44 points in all 82 Ducks games.

He was selected as the Flyers’ fifth-overall draft pick in the first round in 2022, but refused to sign with the club. Instead, GM Danny Briere traded Gauthier to the Ducks on Jan. 8, 2024 for defenseman Jamie Drysdale – a 2020 sixth-overall Anaheim draft pick – and a second-round pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.

The other former Flyer All-Rookie Team members are Janne Niinimaa (1996-97), Chris Therien (1994-95), Mikael Renberg (1993-94), Ron Hextall (1986-87), Thomas Eriksson (1983-84) and the late Pelle Lindbergh (1982-83).