For the first time since 2000, the Knicks are playing in the Eastern Conference Finals and the city of New York is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the momentous occasion.
Across the city, street names are being temporarily co-named with the names of all 15 players on the Knicks roster. Each temporary street name also has the player's corresponding jersey number to go with it and, for the most part, each street name assigned to each player matches their number.
There's Jalen Brunson Boulevard on W 11th St., Josh Hart Street on W 3rd St., Karl-Anthony Towns Square on W 32nd St., OG Anunoby Alley on W 8th St., and many more.
"The Knicks embody the spirit of New York -- resilient, passionate, and unstoppable,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a release. "On the path to a championship, we recognize the hard work and determination that has gotten this team to the Eastern Conference Finals and we’re celebrating this team by temporarily co-naming our city streets so all New Yorkers can celebrate their Knicks pride. Nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers, and millions more, are behind the New York Knicks as they continue this incredible journey."
The temporary street signs will remain for the duration of New York's playoff run which gets going once again on Wednesday night after four days off following its defeat of the Boston Celtics in six games.
The No. 3 seeded Knicks host the No. 4 seeded Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m. as they look to avenge last season's loss to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals in seven games which ended New York's season.
CHICAGO — Seattle workhorse right-hander George Kirby is expected to start and make his season debut when the Mariners open a four-game series in Houston.
Kirby has been on the injured list since March 24 with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. The 27-year-old’s return should help bolster the Mariners’ rotation that remains without opening day starter Logan Gilbert, who’s working back from a flexor strain in his right forearm.
Kirby started 33 games last season to tie for the major league lead. He went 14-11 with a 3.53 ERA with 179 strikeouts and 23 walks in 191 innings.
He was an AL All-Star in 2023, when he made 31 starts and went 13-10 with a 3.35 ERA in 190 2/3 innings.
Following his injury diagnosis, Kirby made only one appearance in 2025 spring training. He’s followed with three rehab starts at Triple-A Tacoma.
“Obviously looking forward to getting George back out there,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “I know it’s been a long road for George since spring training. And you know, you put the work in, you do your rehab assignments and mentally you’re ready to go.”
Wilson said Kirby probably would be limited to “75, maybe 80 pitches” against the Astros.
Before the series finale against the White Sox in Chicago, the Mariners recalled right-hander Jesse Hahn from Tacoma and designated righty Casey Lawrence for assignment.
Hahn will return to Seattle for a second time this season after two appearances in April. He’s pitched four innings with the Mariners so far, going 0-1 with a 4.59 ERA.
Lawrence tossed five innings of bulk relief in Seattle’s 1-0 loss to Chicago, allowing one run on six hits and taking the defeat. He’s 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA in 17 2/3
MILWAUKEE — Baltimore Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge is off the 15-day injured list, clearing the way for the right-hander to make his season debut.
The Orioles announced before their game at Milwaukee that they had activated Kittredge, who was dealing with debridement in his left knee.
Kittredge, 35, signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Orioles after going 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA and one save in 74 relief appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals last season. But he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in March and hasn’t been able to pitch for the Orioles yet.
He now returns as the last-place Orioles attempt to snap an eight-game skid that included the firing of manager Brandon Hyde.
Kittredge is 23-12 with a 3.44 ERA and 16 saves in 255 appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays (2017-23) and Cardinals (2024).
“Just a steady guy, a guy who’s been through a lot of big games, a lot of big innings, a lot of moments for a long time in the game on a lot of good teams,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “When he was signed this offseason, it was a big signing for us.”
The Orioles made room for Kittredge by optioning right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles had called McDermott up to pitch. He struck out two while allowing three runs, four hits, including two homers, and five walks over 4 2/3 innings in the Orioles’ 5-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
“You can’t move on from Draymond, because the moment you move on from Draymond you’re saying, ‘We’re not competing for a championship anymore,'” Teague explained.
“Nobody is going to trade for Draymond Green … you’re not going to get the same value that Draymond brings to your team. Whatever you trade for — I don’t care if you get two young, promising players. They’re not going to have the same vibe with Steph, those two young, promising players.
“So it’s going to be basically over for Steph. Once Draymond leaves, that’s when you know Steph is about to retire.”
Now a 13-year NBA veteran with four NBA championships to his name — all with Golden State — Green is under contract for the 2025-26 season plus a one-year player option after that. Would general manager Mike Dunleavy take the risk of trading away Green this summer?
Well, Teague has made his thoughts clear if he were in charge. But it remains to be seen if the Warriors choose to move in a different direction and part with one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
Mets great Mike Piazza knows a thing or two about early season struggles and not immediately living up to fans' expectations.
Despite starting his Mets tenure with a nine-game hitting streak (13 games total counting his brief stint with the Marlins), Piazza struggled hitting in the clutch with runners in scoring position and was booed at Shea Stadium during an August 1998 series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Sounds kind of familiar...
As expected, Yankees fans booed Juan Soto last weekend during his first Subway Series as a Met. The outfielder was expecting it and even tipped his hat to the fans. He's gotten out to a slow start with his new team, hitting just .247 with nine homers as of Wednesday, but Piazza is confident he will turn it around.
"I think what he’s going through is a rite of passage," Piazza added.
When Piazza was booed, it served as a motivator for the slugging catcher. He hit a home run in Game 2 of the doubleheader against St. Louis to lead a comeback win and received a curtain call. He even said at the time, "You have to block everything out. I try to. And I think I do a pretty good job." Piazza went on to have a number of clutch hits the rest of the season and throughout his Mets career, becoming one of the most loved players in team history.
"One of the best stories in sports is the comeback story," Piazza told the Post.
He believes Soto can start writing that story this season.
Piazza noted that teammates John Franco, Al Leiter, and Brian McRae helped him block out the distractions and focus on just playing baseball. He believes that Francisco Lindor, who went through a rough stretch early on in New York, can help Soto flip his season. SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino recently wrote how veteran Starling Marte is also helping Soto acclimate to his new team.
Piazza went on to acknowledge the high expectations for Soto, saying "his spotlight is really bright now," and thinks Soto can change the narrative if he simply plays "the game hard."
"Obviously, the expectations are high for him, and coming from the Yankees makes it all the bigger story, I get it," Piazza told the Post. "But this is just part of playing in New York. You have to get through it. You have to rely on your teammates to have your back. Body language is important. They are watching everything you are doing. Frustration is part of the game. I lived it. He didn’t forget how to hit the baseball. The game is tough and his spotlight is really bright now.
"My advice to him would be just relax, make it a team thing, not about you. I just followed the advice that Roy Campanella told me when I was a rookie — just play the game hard, let everything else take care of itself."
As the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded their locker cleanouts on Tuesday, their PR staff said they'd be in touch regarding future media availabilities.
There was no mention of who might speak, whether it's Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan, GM Brad Treliving, or Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President and CEO Keith Pelley. Shanahan is reportedly in the final year of his contract after joining the organization to begin a full rebuild in April 2014.
After another difficult playoff exit, losing 6-1 in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers, Shanahan's return remains in question.
According to The Athletic's Chris Johnston, the MLSE board will meet on Thursday for a full season review. It's unknown whether anything, such as firings or other changes, will come from the meeting.
It's Shanahan's 11th season at the helm of the Maple Leafs. His tenure has featured plenty of positives, including the additions of Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander through the draft, and John Tavares through free agency.
For the first time since 2004, the Maple Leafs reached beyond the first round, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023 (and the Ottawa Senators this year). However, after that series — and their latest playoffs — Toronto was bounced out of the postseason in the second round by the Panthers.
This year, though, was the most difficult yet, with the Maple Leafs being outscored 12-2 in their final two home games (Games 5 and 7) of the playoffs. "The way that series ended has left ownership disappointed and embarrassed, according to sources," Johnston wrote.
The NHL insider added that the New York Islanders "have expressed interest in speaking to [Shanahan] about their top hockey job." Lou Lamoriello, who held top management positions with the Islanders for seven seasons, announced in April that New York wouldn't renew his contract.
Further, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Islanders have asked permission to speak with Shanahan, however, there's no word on MLSE's response. Sportsnet confirmed shortly after that the Maple Leafs permitted the Islanders to speak with Shanahan.
Johnston previously reported that changes within the Maple Leafs might go beyond Shanahan, but wrote on Wednesday: "While Shanahan’s future with the club is still being determined, there is a positive internal view on the job Treliving has done in his first two years as GM. He’s under contract beyond this season."
In Treliving's two seasons as GM, he's reshaped Toronto's defense corps, adding Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson this past summer, Simon Benoit two summers ago, and Brandon Carlo, who has two more years on his contract, at the 2024 trade deadline.
With Shanahan at the helm of the entire Maple Leafs project, the organization has two playoff series wins through nine seasons.
"I think our team made a lot of great strides this year. Did a lot of things, accomplished a lot of things. I really enjoyed working with this group," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said on Tuesday.
"We all look at Game 7 and nobody's happy. That's understandable. But, we did a lot of things here that I'm very proud of them."
Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Brennan Johnson, Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario were the heroes as Tottenham won their first European trophy in 41 years with a dogged display in Bilbao
Our man David Hytner is watching all of the red-carpet arrivals in Cannes San Mamés. “Just got to the ground to see Ian Wright being serenaded on his way into the VIP entrance by a large group of Spurs fans. Which certainly made him smile. David Dein, too, who was with him, along with Theo Paphitis. Bumped into Thomas Tuchel moments before and it really is one of those occasions when the stars are out. The anticipation is building!”
Ruben Amorim talks to TNT. “I am relaxed now … I did my job … now it’s with my players and I am really confident … I really enjoyed the last two trainings … when you have these kind of trainings you feel relaxed, so I trust in the guys … so I have that feeling and I’m really confident … Mason Mount in this moment gives us a balance … really good attacking but one extra midfielder … also to have speed on the bench … legs to change the game … in the beginning it is really important to feel the game and we are getting better at that … the result is not going to change so much [regarding transfers] … it can help to add one more if we need … the most important thing is the feeling of winning … we need to deliver that feeling … I am not thinking about the money … we will arrange money because we are a big brand … we are a club that needs that feeling … without trophies it’s really hard to get a connection … we are getting better … this team can step up … I truly believe my players are going to do it.”
On the latest episode of The Mets Pod presented by Tri-State Cadillac, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo take on their first tough one of the season, as the Mets have hit a tough stretch.
The guys cover the woes of the offense, the struggles of Brandon Nimmo, all the drama surrounding Juan Soto, and the continued success of the starting rotation.
Then they go Down on the Farm to discuss Jonah Tong and Jett Williams, as both prospects continue to make noise at Double-A Binghamton.
The show wraps it up by unloading the Mailbag for questions answered about Nimmo’s place in the batting order, and a potential place for Ronny Mauricio on the big league club.
Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dallas Stars host Edmonton Oilers Wednesday for Game 1 of Western Conference Finals rematch
For the second consecutive season, the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are set to face off in the Western Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line.
The Stars, making their third straight appearance in the conference finals, punched their ticket by eliminating the Winnipeg Jets in six games, capped off by a dramatic overtime win in Game 6 by Thomas Harley.
With a deep, veteran-laden lineup and a strong defensive structure, Dallas is aiming to finally break through after falling short in their previous two trips. They'll also carry the psychological edge of having ousted Edmonton at this same stage last season.
But the Oilers arrive with momentum and a score to settle after losing in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals last season. Edmonton shocked the always-feisty Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, dispatching them in just five games with a tense 1-0 overtime win in Game 5, proving the Oilers can win tight, defensive battles.
Still, goaltending remains a question mark, with inconsistency from netminder Stuart Skinner creeping in at times this postseason. Whether that vulnerability will be exposed or masked against a Stars team that has struggled to find consistent depth scoring could define the series.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
When these two faced off last postseason, it was a bit of a slugfest with five goals in the first game (with no goals scored in the first period) followed by three of the next five games totalling under five goals.
The goaltenders really showed up and I expect this to completely flip as the Oilers will be looking to stay on the offensive and keep the Stars away from Stuart Skinner or at least limit quality chances like they did versus the Golden Knights in the second round.
I would expect the kind of game where we see a high number of goals, typical for a series-opening game as both sides will be trying to feel each other out, but not a lot of shot attempts.
The lines for most of these playoff games have been lowered to 5.5 most of the time and the unders have been hitting towards the end of rounds as teams start to solve the other but this is an early game and the sportsbooks have it set at a high 6.5 and for good reason.
When on the fence, its safe to go with what the oddsmakers are telling you and that's this one will be a high-scoring affair that's why they have such a high odd for the under cause they want to trap people into believing a defensive showdown is coming.
This bet would work even better if you wait a few minutes into the game before taking as the odds may drop without an early goal plus some sportsbooks like FanDuel occasionally provide bet boosts for bets taken live during the game.
I expect a big game from Wyatt Johnston, who Stars insider Taylor Newby recently referenced in one of our recent stories as being due for a big series.
Mmmm
The 22-year-old youngster has points in just one of the last five games and should bounce back in a big way against an Oilers team he has a great history against. With five goals and two assists for seven points over his last eight games versus the Oilers, Johnston should continue to mash.
For the Oilers, we have seen a lot of scoring from their depth forwards with 19 goals from their bottom six so far this postseason. I expect the top end forwards to show what they are made of in this one and have a sizeable performance, starting with Connor McDavid's winger Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
The former first overall pick in 2011 has played exceptionally well alongside one of the league's best players in McDavid with points in seven of the Oilers' 11 playoff games so far.
Nugent-Hopkins proved to be a gamer against the Stars with two goals in game five of the conference finals last postseason and put his team firmly in the driver seat of the series with a 3-2 lead.
He should play a pivotal role once again and comes in at a great value as he plays the third-most minutes of any Oilers forward as he centres the first power play unit.
Vegas Golden Knights prospect Trevor Connelly was acquired from the Spokane Chiefs by the Penticton Vees in the WHL expansion draft.
Prior to the start of the 2024-25 season, rumours had swirled about the possibility of Connelly forgoing his NCAA eligibility to play in the WHL. The rumours were quickly put to rest, and Connelly joined Providence College. The season was challenging for the 19-year-old, dealing with injuries throughout the campaign.
Following the disappointing freshman season, Connelly signed his entry-level contract with the Golden Knights, playing six AHL games with the Henderson Silver Knights, scoring a goal and four points.
After signing his entry-level contract, the expectation was that Connelly would continue to develop in the AHL, and although nothing has been confirmed, the move sparks up the rumours about Connelly heading to the WHL.
His skill set is one of a player ready for professional hockey, but his frame is not, and the AHL is a physical league. Playing in the WHL could allow him to continue to hone his game while providing him the opportunity to add muscle.
Nothing is set in stone, but it's a positive situation for Connelly to have several options to get the most out of his development.
Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
On May 22nd, the Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) and Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) will square off at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Timberwolves dropped game one in Oklahoma to the Thunder. It was a brilliant second half from the Thunder, where they outscored the Timberwolves by 30 (70-40).
The Thunder were scorching hot from the field. They shot 50% from the field and 52.4% from deep.
The Timberwolves are currently 24-17 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Thunder have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch the tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and, of course, our predictions, picks, and best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Timberwolves vs. Thunder live today
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 8:30PM EST
Site: Paycom Center
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Network/Streaming: ESPN
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Timberwolves vs. Thunder
The latest odds as of Thursday:
Odds: Timberwolves (+250), Thunder (-313)
Spread: Thunder -7.5
Over/Under: 214 points
That gives the Timberwolves an implied team point total of 105.93, and the Thunder 109.84.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Thursday’s Timberwolves vs. Thunder game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Timberwolves & Thunder game:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Timberwolves at +7.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 214.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Timberwolves vs. Thunder on Thursday
The Thunder have won 4 of their last 5 home games against Western Conference Northwest Division teams
The Under is 4-1 in the Timberwolves' last 5 matchups against divisional opponents
The Timberwolves have covered the Spread in 10 of their 17 matchups against Western Conference Northwest Division teams this season
The Timberwolves have covered the Spread in 10 of their 17 matchups against Western Conference Northwest Division teams this season
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Padres at Blue Jays prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for May 21
Its Wednesday, May 21 and the Padres (27-19) are in Toronto to take on the Blue Jays (23-24). Randy Vásquez is slated to take the mound for San Diego against Kevin Gausman for Toronto.
The Padres are 4-6 in their last 10 games and third in the stacked NL West. After dropping game one of the series, the Padres have lost four straight games.
The Blue Jays have fared better recently. They are 6-4 in their last 10 games and just 0.5 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Game details & how to watch Padres at Blue Jays
Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Time: 7:07PM EST
Site: Rogers Centre
City: Toronto, ON
Network/Streaming: SN1, Padres.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Padres at the Blue Jays
The latest odds as of Wednesday:
Moneyline: Padres (+126), Blue Jays (-148)
Spread: Blue Jays -1.5
Total: 9.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Padres at Blue Jays
Pitching matchup for May 21, 2025: Randy Vásquez vs. Kevin Gausman
Padres: Randy Vásquez, (3-3, 3.45 ERA) Last outing (Los Angeles Angels, 5/14): 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman, (3-4, 4.59 ERA) Last outing (Tampa Bay Rays, 5/15): 5.2 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 10 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Padres at Blue Jays
After winning the series opener, the Padres have a 6-3 record in game 2 this season
With Kevin Gausman as starting pitcher 16 of the Blue Jays' last 20 home games have gone over the Total
It has been 4 games since the Padres last covered the Run Line
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Padres and the Blue Jays
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Padres and the Blue Jays:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Diego Padres at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.
Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Mets prospect Ronny Mauricio continued his hot start in Triple-A, hitting a home run for the second straight game during Syracuse's 5-2 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday.
Serving as the designated hitter on Wednesday, Mauricio hit the two-run homer on a 2-1 breaking ball with one out in the seventh inning, crushing it to right field.
Mauricio finished 2-for-2 with two RBI and two walks (one intentional). He also picked up a stolen base after being walked in the fifth inning -- it's his second stolen base in Triple-A.
The infielder is now hitting .636 (7-for-11) over three Triple-A games, a big improvement from his rehab assignment with St. Lucie and Binghamton where he had just four hits over 10 games.
Meanwhile, starter Paul Blackburn (knee) tossed seven scoreless innings in his sixth rehab start (third with Syracuse) as he works his way back to the majors.
Blackburn allowed just one hit over 87 pitches, striking out six and walking two. It was by far his best rehab appearance this month, having let up nine earned runs over his previous four starts in May.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that the goal was for Blackburn to throw 80 pitches and if all goes well, the team will have to make a decision on what's next for him.
Drew Gilbert and Ronny Mauricio start the game off with back-to-back base hits for Triple-A Syracuse pic.twitter.com/YnljlntfhL
(Header/feature image courtesy of The Hockey News' Megan DeRuchie)
Matvei Michkov didn’t need a Calder Trophy nomination to prove he belongs in the NHL.
While the hockey world buzzed about top rookies this season, the 20-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward compiled an impressive first campaign—electrifying crowds with his creativity, igniting plays with his vision, and, most importantly to him, making strides that go well beyond stat sheets.
In typical Michkov fashion, he met the news of not being named a Calder finalist with the same cool composure he tried to bring to every shift on the ice.
“I’m not sure,” Michkov said when asked how he felt about the omission in a new interview with RG. “I guess I should’ve played better so there’d be no doubt who the best rookie was. But it is what it is. It won’t change how I approach things.”
This was a season of firsts for Michkov—his first in North America, his first time adjusting to a completely different language and culture, and his first test against the grind of an 82-game NHL schedule. Still, he delivered. While others drew more headlines, Michkov steadily proved why he’s considered one of the most gifted young players in the world. He flashed high-end offensive instincts, blended skill with a dogged work ethic, and grew into his role with the Flyers as the season progressed.
“Of course, I feel I could’ve scored more points and played better in some moments—there were plenty of chances that I didn’t finish,” he said. “I didn’t have any specific numbers in mind before the season started, because I didn’t know what to expect. New country, new people. My main goal was to show what I can do and enjoy every game. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t. But now my focus is to train well in the offseason, get stronger, and help the team make the playoffs. That’s our main goal.”
It’s that consistent team-first attitude that has quickly earned Michkov respect in the Flyers’ locker room. His skill is undeniable, but it’s his mindset that may truly set him apart. Even after a strong rookie season—one that might’ve made him a Calder finalist or even winner in a different year—Michkov has no interest in personal accolades. He’s already looking ahead to what matters most to him: team success.
“Yes—make the playoffs first,” Michkov said when asked about his goals for Year 2. “Then try to win the Stanley Cup. Personally, I’m not setting any specific numbers. The only goal I have is a team goal, and I’ll do everything I can to reach it.”
“He’s probably the one player I’ve played with where he wants to be the best player in the NHL. He believes he can be.”
—Travis Konecny on Matvei Michkov. Said his competitiveness was up there with Claude Giroux. #LetsGoFlyers
That doesn’t mean Michkov wasn’t paying attention to his peers. The NHL’s rookie class this year was stacked with talent, from physical defensemen to crafty playmakers. Michkov singled out Montreal Canadiens blueliner and Calder favorite Lane Hutson as someone who caught his eye.
“I didn’t follow [the other rookies] closely, but the media talked about it a lot, so it was impossible to ignore," he admitted. "Lane Hutson had a really strong season. He scored a lot and was great on the powerplay. I really like his game. I actually saw him back in 2020 at the Winter Youth Olympics. I told [Washington Capitals prospect] Ivan Miroshnichenko at the time, ‘Watch that guy—he’s going to make it.’ And now he’s playing the same way in the NHL. I’m happy for him.”
But Michkov is more focused on how he can take the next step. With his rookie season behind him, the Russian forward is focused less on what he can change and more on how he can refine his approach. It’s not about altering his game—it’s about maturing his mindset.
“Honestly, I’d do everything the same,” he said. “Hockey is hockey. The only difference is that now I’ve learned to stay calmer. When you’re calm, things start to go your way—your game, your life. When I was younger, I couldn’t always control my emotions. I wasted too much energy. That’s the only thing I’d change. Even though it’s hard to stay calm all the time, that’s what I’m working on.”
That level of introspection is relatively rare in a player so young. But then again, Michkov has always carried himself a bit differently than most 20-year-old players. He doesn’t need individual trophies to validate his place in the league. He’s shown what he can do—and more importantly, he knows what he still wants to become.
