Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov has not scored a point in the first three games of the season, and it may be due to conditioning concerns rather than his playmaking abilities.
As of October 11, 2025, Michkov has not been performing as expected, and it is not solely attributed to his play. The issue may be related to his physical conditioning, which is not at the desired level at this point in the season.
It's not a sophomore slump just yet, but is it the freshman fifteen?
This statement highlights the concern that Michkov's slow start might be due to factors other than his skills on the ice. The reference to the "freshman fifteen" is a metaphor for the weight gain that some college students experience, but in Michkov's case, it is not about weight gain, but rather about his conditioning.
Author's summary: Michkov's slow start raises concerns about his conditioning.