Flyers on fire, but is the spark here to stay?

A struggling team can still contain a valuable fantasy opportunity. Philadelphia is offering a timely reminder, with Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone providing attacking promise even when the Flyers cannot turn it into a win.

The pair feature in The Hockey News’ latest fantasy roundup, syndicated by Yahoo Sports, which highlights Philadelphia’s improving power play. The practical question for managers is whether to act on that improvement or wait for stronger evidence that it will last.

Michkov’s scoring is impossible to ignore

Through October 24, Michkov had eight goals in 13 games, including six in his previous five, according to DobberHockey. He scored twice against Anaheim that afternoon, extending his point streak to five games.

That production makes him worth checking immediately in leagues where he remains available. A player already contributing goals offers a different proposition from a prospect whose value depends entirely on what might happen later in the season.

There is also a reason to look beyond the totals. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Michkov worked extensively on his skating over the summer. Coach Rick Tocchet identified better puck retrievals and movement to the net as signs of progress. Those observations offer a possible explanation for the improvement beyond a few favorable bounces.

The warning behind the hot streak

DobberHockey also flags a shooting percentage of approximately 42 percent alongside fewer than two shots per game. That is an important qualification: his recent goal output is coming from a relatively small number of attempts.

Fantasy managers should not build a full-season projection by multiplying his October scoring rate. If the finishing percentage falls, a higher shot volume or more consistent opportunities would help sustain his value. Without them, a quieter spell could follow even if he continues playing well.

Our assessment: Michkov deserves priority consideration as an available scoring option, but a trade should be priced around his broader role and potential. Paying as though the current finishing rate is permanent would be a much riskier decision.

Martone offers upside at a different stage

Martone contributed a goal and an assist against Anaheim. DobberHockey’s October 25 assessment put him at five points through 13 games, a more modest overall return than the excitement surrounding the partnership might suggest.

That distinction matters. Two players can contribute to the same promising attack without carrying the same immediate fantasy value. Martone looks more suited to a speculative addition in deeper leagues or a watchlist position in shallower formats, where established alternatives may still be available.

Managers should look for repeated involvement: regular minutes, meaningful power-play usage and chances that continue even on nights when he does not score. One productive game can justify attention. A durable role makes a stronger case for a roster commitment.

A better power play does not solve everything

PhillyVoice reports that Philadelphia had scored on the power play in four consecutive games through the Anaheim contest. Yet the Flyers converted only two of six opportunities that afternoon and lost, falling to 3-7-3.

For fantasy purposes, those two realities can coexist. Special-teams production can make a forward useful while his team continues to struggle. League settings matter, too: power-play points, shots and plus-minus can produce very different valuations of the same player.

The sensible response is selective optimism. Michkov has the stronger immediate scoring case; Martone offers a developing opportunity that needs closer monitoring. Watch their deployment as carefully as their highlights. The next useful signal will be whether Philadelphia keeps giving its young forwards the chances to turn this promising stretch into a sustained contribution.