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Eighteen days remain until the Philadelphia Flyers open their main training camp on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Key upcoming dates:
Rookie Camp Opens: Friday, September 11, 2026 (15 days)
Rookie Series vs. Rangers: September 12–13, 2026 at the PPL Center
Main Training Camp Opens: Thursday, September 17, 2026 (21 days)
First Preseason Game: Monday, September 21, 2026 vs. Washington Capitals
Regular Season Opener: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Michkov to return week of August 30
Third-year Flyers winger Matvei Michkov is expect to return to Philadelphia this week. Michkov posted on Instagram this past week, seemingly in order to show off the muscle he added over the summer months. There is little doubt he will report to training camp in much better shape than he did last year.
The Flyers had two main goals for Michkov this summer. First and foremost, they wanted him to work on his conditioning. Secondly, they wanted him to increase his English fluency enough to not need a translator.
However, it should be said that, even last season, Michkov now understood a decent amount of English. He conversed without translator/ skating coach Slava Kuznetsov with coaches and teammates. Michkov still preferred to have Slava with him for press conferences.
Even so, he grasped the questions and sometimes even gives short replies — a couple basic words — in English.
Team Toyota Flyers Prospect Countdown: Maksim Sokolovskii
Maksim Sokolovskii
Position: Defense
Selected: 2026 1st Round, 27th overall
Listed Height: 6-foot-7
Listed Weight: 238 pounds
Shoots: Left
2025-26 team: London Knights (OHL)
2025-26 RS stats: 44 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 PTS, 49 PIM, +10
2026-26 PO stats: 5 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, 4 PIM
The skinny: Kazakh defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii debuted in the Ontario Hockey League for Dale Hunter’s London Knights. Despite his massive frame, Sokolovskii is an above-average skater. He brings an imposing physical presence and is excellent along the walls. He also improved by leaps and bounds positionally as the past season progressed.
During the playoffs, London matched Sokolovskii head to head with the Soo Greyhounds’ Brady Martin (drafted 5th overall in 2025 by the Nashville Predators).
Sokolovskii sometimes surprises with his mobility when he gets the boots moving up ice. He can even skate the puck out of trouble and closes gaps with his long, agile strides.
The player’s game with the puck on his stick needs improvement as he gains experience. Specifically, he presently needs to limit himself to short-range, safe passes. Sokolovskii’s shot is not a threat at present; he struggles to get shots on net and needs work on his shot mechanics.
There is absolutely no rush with Sokolovskii. He will play one more OHL season and then head to the NCAA (Maine) in 2027-28.
Sokolovskii played a supporting role in the London lineup early in the 2025-26 season as he got his feet wet in the Ontario League. His initial gains were modest. However, by midseason, he figured out what worked for him. His role expanded continuously to where he became a key player in the lineup.
Sokolovskii struggled early with pacing and decision-making. However, as he gained confidence, his usage increased. He turned a corner in the second half of the season. Sokolovskii finished very strong and became a mainstay down the stretch and into the OHL playoffs. He showed further growth — even some flashes of offense — at Development Camp and during the OHL preseason.
London selected Sokolovskii from US AAA hockey in the Import Draft. The 2025-26 campaign was Sokolovskii’s first year playing higher level junior hockey. He appears to be tracking well in his early development. Nevertheless, expect a multi-year process. Patience is required.
Collectors’ Corner: Vladar, Propp
Saturday’s Dan Vladar autograph signing event at Carl’s Cards and Collectibles in Havertown, Pa., sold out. Congratulations to Kevin Burgess for winning HHS’ free autograph ticket drawing for the event, courtesy of Carl’s Cards.
The next Hockey Hot Stove giveaway drawing: Sampler box of Brian Propp’s signature Guffaw brand of cigars. We ran a drawing back in June that proved to be a big hit. So we’re doing another!.
Home › Forums › Flyers Focus: Sunday Edition (8-30-26)
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