With the Philadelphia Flyers set to kick off their campaign this coming Friday in Vancouver, they have officially announced their 2024-25 Opening Night roster.
Highlighting their roster this year are a pair of rookies in Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko who, by all accounts, are ushering the New Era of Orange. Michkov is just 19 years of age while Luchanko will become the youngest player in franchise history to suit up for a game.
Michkov was drafted in 2023 with the 7th overall pick and was expected to remain with SKA St. Petersburg until the end of his contract. However, with 2 years still remaining on the deal, both sides agreed on a contract termination, which allowed the Flyers to bring him over and sign him to an entry-level contract on the 1st of July.
Luchanko was drafted just a few months ago in Las Vegas with the 13th overall selection in what was deemed a surprise move by many. With more established names like Zeev Buium and Konsta Helenius still on the board, many believed the Flyers whiffed. Fast forward 3 months later and the 18-year-old has surprised almost everybody as he is set to make his NHL debut.
The Opening Night roster is as follows:
Forwards
Bobby Brink
Noah Cates
Sean Couturier
Nick Deslauriers
Joel Farabee
Tyson Foerster
Morgan Frost
Garnet Hathaway
Travis Konecny
Scott Laughton
Jett Luchanko
Matvei Michkov
Ryan Poehling
Owen Tippett
Defensemen
Jamie Drysdale
Erik Johnson
Rasmus Ristolainen
Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler
Cam York
Egor Zamula
Goaltenders
Samuel Ersson
Ivan Fedotov
The roster was becoming more clear by every waking practice and when Luchanko was given more run with the main group and positioned down the middle between Joel Farabee and Bobby Brink, it became evident he was going to at least be given the 9-game trial. While some may think it’s too early or that his development could be tarnished, Daniel Brière and company see it differently.
As for the forward group and what the lines might look like on Friday, Jordan Hall of NBCSN Philly has us covered. For now it seems like Michkov will be playing with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny instead of Owen Tippett and Morgan Frost as many had predicted at the onset of camp.
There are a few storylines to follow outside of the rookie seasons of Michkov and Luchanko as Noah Cates has found himself on the outside looking in, the goaltending remains a large question mark, and whether or not the defense can hold – and stay healthy.
The Flyers open their season on the road with games in Vancouver on Friday and Calgary on Saturday before making a stop in Edmonton on the 15th of October and finishing off the road trip in Seattle on the 17th. Their home opener will take place on the 19th against Vancouver.
