Philly Leader

The PPL Center in Allentown will host a landmark event on Friday as 19-year-old Matvei Michkov plays his first game in a Flyers uniform. Michkov and other top Flyers prospects will face off against their New York Rangers counterparts in the first match of the annual Rookie Series, with a rematch scheduled for Saturday.

Game time on Friday evening is set for 7:05 p.m. EDT, and it will be streamed live on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com. Jason Myrtetus and Brian Smith will handle the broadcasting duties.

Here are five key points to watch in Friday's game:

1. The Jett takes off

Michkov is the marquee attraction but not the only notable prospect. It will be interesting to see if Michkov shows immediate on-ice chemistry with Jett Luchanko, the Flyers' 2024 first-round pick. Luchanko's combination of foot speed, playmaking vision, and hockey sense make him an intriguing linemate for Michkov.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach Ian Laperriere plans to deploy Luchanko in various game situations.

2. "Desy" on the comeback trail

Third-year pro Elliot Desnoyers has a crucial season ahead. The 22-year-old forward is expected to join Michkov and Luchanko on Friday's top Flyers line. Known for his two-way upside, Desnoyers led the Phantoms in goals during the 2022-23 season but had a slow start last year.

Desnoyers has an opportunity to reassert himself as an upwardly mobile prospect within the organization.

3. Bumper Bonk

Top defense prospect Oliver Bonk had a breakthrough offensive season with the OHL champion London Knights last year. Although he thrived as a player stationed in the bumper on the power play, it remains uncertain if this role will continue as he turns pro.

The Flyers envision Bonk as a potential top-three defenseman in their NHL lineup soon.

4. Between the pipes

The Flyers have two goaltending prospects at this year's rookie camp: Carson Bjarnason (2023 second-round pick) and Sam Hillebrandt (amateur tryout). Bjarnason is considered a top hopeful for Team Canada's roster at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

Yegor Zavragin (Philadelphia's 2023 third-round pick) is currently playing in Russia’s KHL for HC Sochi, leaving Bjarnason as Philadelphia’s main focus at Rookie Camp.

5. Behind Enemy Lines: Rangers Rookies

Twenty-one-year-old left winger Brennan Othmann is coming off a promising rookie season with AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack and three games played in NHL action. Selected by the Rangers in the first round of the 2021 Draft, Othmann aims to challenge for an NHL promotion.

Goalie Dylan Garand has extensive AHL experience over two seasons while Swedish goalie Hugo Ollas turned pro late last season after three collegiate seasons at Merrimack College.