A large group of fans -- most of whom came out specifically to see highly-touted rookie Matvei Michkov's first official day on the ice as a member of the Flyers organization -- for the first day of 2024 Rookie Camp at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees.

The final steps of renovation work inside the Flyers practice facility are in the process of being completed but the vast majority of it is finished. The locker rooms will be opened to the media after Rookie Camp when the main training camp is underway.

There's often a tendency in Development Camp through NHL training camp to home in on a particular play, rep or freeze-frame moment on the ice, to the point of assigning more meaning or analysis to it than what's merited. That said, the excitement level and anticipation for Michkov in particular is such that I'd be surprised if he is not intensely scrutinized in practices, scrimmages and isolated reps.

Come Friday, when the Flyers take the ice at the PPL Center for the first of two weekend "Rookie Series" games against the New York Rangers rookie camp attendees, there may be more attention paid to exhibitions than any previous Rookie Games in recent memory. However, as of early Thursday morning, the Flyers had not yet confirmed if Michkov would be playing in one, both or neither of the games. If he does play, the Friday game would seem to be the likeliest target if only because of the fan excitement surrounding it.

On Friday and Saturday, I will be doing condensed versions of the Five Things preview/ Postgame 5 recap that Philadelphia flyers.com does for each and every preseason and in-season game that the Flyers play. Hockey is back, and it's a very nice feeling!

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