Coming into the 2024-25 season, it felt that Matvei Michkov had a sizeable advantage on the competition to end the season as the NHL’s top rookie and win the first Calder Trophy in Philadelphia Flyers history. But as it stands halfway through the season, is the 20-year-old winger starting to lose his grip on the coveted prize?
Michkov had a whole lot going for him. More than any other rookie, he was put in a good environment to thrive. While other rookies had just scraped by to make the NHL roster and had to climb up the depth chart, Michkov was handed a spot in the top six immediately.