With the 2024-25 NHL season comes young players trying to find their way in a new league with bigger players who are blessed with speed. Those players ready to make an impact are many but few live up to those standards. This season, one forward has stood out while two others are also grabbing attention. Philadelphia Flyers sensation Matvei MIchkov is better than advertised as he is making a run at the Calder Trophy. Will he continue to turn heads?
Flyers' Michkov surpassing expectations
Michkov was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He chose to continue his development in Russia before coming over to the United States. His overall game got better and his offense was crisper than before. His stay in Russia was supposed to continue through the 2024-25 season, but that ended when his final two years in Russia were terminated. He then signed a three-year entry-level deal with Philadelphia.
The first month in his NHL career was nothing short of spectacular as he recorded four goals and five assists for nine points in 11 games, earning the NHL's October Rookie of the Month. The 5-foot-10 and 172-pound Michkov was here to stay and his offensive production was simply worthy of attention. This season, he has totaled nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points in 23 games. The Flyers are looking for consistency throughout the lineup, as they are in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. They currently have a 12-10-3 record for 27 points, eight points behind the division-leading Washington Capitals.
Dallas Stars winger Logan Stankoven is small in stature, but big on the scoresheet. Drafted 47th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, the 5-foot-8 and 171-pound forward has come to life and given the Stars another young forward who can score. He has come in and provided secondary scoring to the forward group and has done well defensively. This season, he has four goals and 11 assists for 19 points. He is also a +4, has scored one power-play goal, has 15 hits, seven blocked shots, and has three game-winning goals with an average of 15:19 minutes a game. Dallas is third in the Central Division.
26-year-old winger Maxim Tsyplakov of the New York Islanders is the complete package. After many seasons competing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with Moscow Spartak, he finally got the chance to prove his worth in an NHL arena. On May 17, 2024, he signed a one-year, entry-level deal as an unrestricted free agent. He comes with a nice blend of size (6-foot-3 and 201 pounds), scoring and toughness. Much was not known about him until his NHL debut, but he is getting the attention of the NHL now and looks to be a force going forward. He is doing everything right and does not look out of place for a rookie. This season, he has three goals and 10 assists for 13 points. He also has 18 penalty minutes, 71 hits, and 13 blocked shots in only 16:33 of ice time per night. This player is special and one to keep an eye on.