Fun moment...Michkov gets drafted #2 in 2023 by the expansion Aeros...has to see out his contract with SKA until April 2026 - but then snubs Houston and re-signs in the KHL with Avto until 2032. Finally comes over that summer and makes his NHL debut in October of 2032, a full 9 years after being drafted at the age of 27. While in the KHL he won the scoring title 6 out of 7 years, the goal scoring title 7 of 8 years, and Player of the Year and best forward both 6 out of 7 years. At age 28 his international resume for Russia is 81 goals and 187 points in 145 games.
All he does his "rookie" year is score 60 goals and 133 points, winning the Hart, Art Ross, Ted Lindsay, Messier and Plus-Minus awards - basically sweeping every single major trophy except second in the Richard (more on that later).
This season, he's currently pacing for over 2 points-per-game and a whopping 9.12 game rating.
Sometimes it pays to be patient? Lol. Just think - he was drafted #2 overall and his NHL team had to wait 9 years but my god, is he worth every penny now.
His teammate Cole Eiserman is #2 in the NHL in scoring this year...he won the Richard last year with 66 goals and was second in points behind Michkov with 119. What a duo:
Bedard was third in last year's Richard but has won the goal scoring title 4 times - putting up seasons of 80, 73, 70 and 66 goals while also collecting 4 Art Ross and 3 Hart Trophies thus far.
Elsewhere, Joakim Kemell has become the new great Finn (him and Kiviharju):
Future 2007-born real life phenom Ryan Roobroeck also becoming quite a star (as intended!):
And we got our first true Japanese superstar...this guy was the #2 pick in the 2031 draft...he steps into the NHL as an 18 year-old and scores 40 goals and 97 points. Second year - 48 goals and 112 points and now in his third season shows no signs of slowing down. He's 6'-4, 228 and plays center - while not as truculent - Philly fans call him the "Japanese Lindros".
This is a nice time to pause the sim and survey the landscape because all the real NHL prospects have been or are in their primes now so it is interesting to see how things have unfolded. If you are curious to see what has become of your favorite team, nation or player let me know and I'll post how they have fared in this particular sim