This is complete horseshit. The Habs fanbase was head over heels for Michkov, had a week-long meltdown over picking Reinbacher, and our board is still virtually unusable some days a month later because every single discussion is people complaining that we didn't take Michkov or using that as a reason to complain about management more generally. As recently as yesterday, the thread for our 5th round pick (MHL goalie Yevgeni Volokhin) became a "should have picked Michkov" soap box. The overwhelming majority of coverage from Canadian media repeatedly implied that Michkov could be considered as high as #2 overall if not for the contract considerations as well.
The idea that Habs fans/media were not appropriately encouraged about Michkov is categorically false. I suppose it's possible that he felt that way and it wouldn't be the first time an 18 year old reacted emotionally to some criticism, but the fanbase and media around the Canadiens were absolutely on board with Michkov. Someone already mentioned this but a washed up 38 year old Ilya Kovalchuk became a fan favourite here, the fanbase is desperate for some offensive flair and saw Michkov as the answer to 50 years of prayers and baggage.
The decision not to draft him has instantly ended the honeymoon phase with the new front office for the plurality of the fanbase. The narrative was that he would be the next true superstar to bring magic back to the franchise, Canadiens fans were comparing this guy to Guy f***ing Lafleur.
