Michkov vs Demidov

[Pablo Sanchez]

Why do we keep using the dumb decisions by SKA as arguing points? One guy got banished to the worst club in the league for wanting to get out of his contract, the other sent to the juniors to pressure him into a new contract. Both could have made the roster (especially the guy who put up a better ppg. than anyone on SKA while playing for one of the worst teams in the league)

 

[Zine]

So after 18 pages have 'yall decided who's better?

This is serious business. Inquiring minds NEED TO KNOW!!

 

[Mayday1980]

Montreal had the most inside info on Michkov with Bobrov’s father and passed on him… if that doesnt tell you something then idk?

Even with the character issues aside I find Demidov is the more complete player.

Skating

Demidov > Michkov

Playmaking/passing

Demidov > Michkov

Hockey iq

Demidov = Michkov

Shot

Demidov < Michkov

Defense

Demidov > Michkov

Compete level

Demodov > Michkov

Leadership

Demidov > Michkov

Hands

Denidov > Michkov

The first sentence above tells us the real debate between these two players alongside one additional fact to consider which was their contract situations at draft time.

I'm a habs fan and wanted them to pick Michkov, but they didn't c'est la vie. Montreal would have had abundant knowledge on the character & playstyle of Michkov and for some reason they went with Reinbacher instead.

Michkov is the better talent with the higher ceiling but lower NHL floor (meaning there's something going on with the Sochi loan, the contract buyout to go to PHI early etc.) He's the better player but has the higher "outside of hockey" risks...

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Kind of like Michkov led the team in SKA preseason last year, too...

Cool story and i wish him the best but Michkov aint on my team we passed on him i care about Demidov and if he was so great why was he loaned last year or even this year why would SKA wanna get rid of 2 years of Michkov specially since they get nothing in return maybe theres alot more to him then people know and Montreal knew that since Bobrov’s dad works for SKA

 

[Koivu11]

Matvei Michkov vs. Ivan Demidov; who will be better?

Which of these two Russian prospects do you think will become the better NHL player?

forums.hfboards.com

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Hey look, no need to be bitter here. All I’m saying is the pattern we are seeing from Michkov is similar to PLD/Drouin/Laine we seen early in their respective career.

Lots of attitude rumors, Michkov telling teams to not draft him etc… we’ve seen this play out before

Once again why would I be bitter ? Seems premptive on the bitterness scale . He doesn’t play for a team I remotely cheer for . Just seems like an extremely weak attempt to keep this “ character issuer “ narrative alive . It’s all the haters have . When it’s hockey centric talk it’s fairly clear who’s shown more to this point .

 

[Michoulicious]

Michkov didn't make SKA's roster either but could be loaned to another KHL team.

From what I understand, if Demidov doesn't make SKA's KHL squad, he'll have to go to the VHL because he can't be loaned to another KHL team because his deal is in its the last year.

A significant difference... SKA's KHL team is really stacked and it's a tall order for an 18 years old to make it, let alone play significant minutes.

Michkov could not do it, we'll see for Demidov but it would not surprise me if he starts in the VHL.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Michkov didn't make SKA's roster either but could be loaned to another KHL team.

From what I understand, if Demidov doesn't make SKA's KHL squad, he'll have to go to the VHL because he can't be loaned to another KHL team because his deal is in its the last year.

A significant difference... SKA's KHL team is really stacked and it's a tall order for an 18 years old to make it, let alone play significant minutes.

Michkov could not do it, we'll see for Demidov but it would not surprise me if he starts in the VHL.

Ok? What league did Michkov play in and where did I post ANYTHING about SKA?

 

[Baksfamous112]

Once again why would I be bitter ? Seems premptive on the bitterness scale . He doesn’t play for a team I remotely cheer for . Just seems like an extremely weak attempt to keep this “ character issuer “ narrative alive . It’s all the haters have . When it’s hockey centric talk it’s fairly clear who’s shown more to this point .

No but he was drafted by a team you genuinely hate. You can stop pretending you’re mr unbiased because you’re not.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

No but he was drafted by a team you genuinely hate. You can stop pretending you’re mr unbiased because you’re not.

Believing that there are better prospects that exist outside the Habs spectrum is hardly hate . Calling out terrible valuations of players on their last legs also not hate . It’s reality . I’ve certainly got no skin in the game as far as outcome but alright …

 

[Favster]

Every day I come to the prospect page a pray this thread isn't on page 1 anymore. Every day I am dissapointed.

 

[Lazytrout]

Alright, if that’s what you really think and believe, we have nothing to talk about lol, I just hope you’re alright.

I hope YOU'RE alright

This habs fan still can't believe Demidov slid to us, couldn't be happier

 

[FlyguyOX]

The first sentence above tells us the real debate between these two players alongside one additional fact to consider which was their contract situations at draft time.

I'm a habs fan and wanted them to pick Michkov, but they didn't c'est la vie. Montreal would have had abundant knowledge on the character & playstyle of Michkov and for some reason they went with Reinbacher instead.

Michkov is the better talent with the higher ceiling but lower NHL floor (meaning there's something going on with the Sochi loan, the contract buyout to go to PHI early etc.) He's the better player but has the higher "outside of hockey" risks...

Pure conjecture.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

6 other teams passed on him too.

I don't really understand this argument.

Only 5 other teams passed on him, and the top 4 centers in the draft (Bedard, Carlsson, Fantilli, Smith) were all thought to be more or less be locks for the top 4. Maybe SJ considered Michkov over Smith, but the top 3 were for sure locked in.

So it was really only Arizona who also passed on him. And they don't exactly have the strongest history with drafting well.

 

[gifted88]

Cool story and i wish him the best but Michkov aint on my team we passed on him i care about Demidov and if he was so great why was he loaned last year or even this year why would SKA wanna get rid of 2 years of Michkov specially since they get nothing in return maybe theres alot more to him then people know and Montreal knew that since Bobrov’s dad works for SKA

Bobrov was quoted as saying Michkov was the "Russian Bedard". He also said after the draft Habs management felt Michkov wasn't someone who would help them win a cup, and Reinbacher is.

Really seems like this was a Gorton & Hughes decision rather than some sinister information Bobrov had.

 

[waitin425]

How most fans should respond to this question.

Michkov = good
Demidov = good
Who will be better? "Don't know...can't wait to find out"

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Bobrov was quoted as saying Michkov was the "Russian Bedard". He also said after the draft Habs management felt Michkov wasn't someone who would help them win a cup, and Reinbacher is.

Really seems like this was a Gorton & Hughes decision rather than some sinister information Bobrov had.

Interesting addition to the conversation. Thank you. So much for the inside man damning Michkov theory . Any chance you can produce said quote ? I’d be interested in the context .

 

[HabbyGuy]

Interesting addition to the conversation. Thank you. So much for the inside man damning Michkov theory . Any chance you can produce said quote ? I’d be interested in the context .

Don't know how legit it is but found this on Habs Reddit. It is strange if he gave such praise to him that he still passed.

 

[gifted88]

It's really not that strange for the GM to have final say on high picks. I think we'd all love to be the fly on the wall for those discussions.

 

[waitin425]

Don't know how legit it is but found this on Habs Reddit. It is strange to give such praise to him and still pass.

If it wasn't said in our draft youtube special, it didn't happen!

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

It's really not that strange for the GM to have final say on high picks. I think we'd all love to be the fly on the wall for those discussions.

It’s not but I’ve been reading that one of the main reasons they “ passed “ on Michkov was due to Bobrovs opinion on him . Seems kinda opposite to that ; ie “ the next Bedard” ( if it’s legit ) is pretty effusive praise .

 

[gifted88]

Here's a comment from Habs director of amateur scouting:


Really sounds like his lack of defensive commitment and his contract in the KHL played a big role in the Habs passing on him.

 

[Mayday1980]

Pure conjecture.

As much conjecture as was used in the reliance on stats for comparing 2 players 1 year apart in age who developed during COVID. Someone can go to the effort to actually watch both players play; unfortunately all one can do when discussing character concerns of a young player is look at the available factual evidence, even if it's only circumstantial.

If Michkov was considered as good as Bedard, he would have gone 2nd overall. (This is with the fact we now know with 100% certainty in that he wanted to play in the NHL) The 3 year wait wouldn't have stopped anyone from picking him

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Bobrov was the genius that had two top ten pick complete busts in Lias Andersson and Vitaliy Kravtsov. He also oversaw the very underwhelming Kaapo Kakko pick. Wouldn’t trust this guy. Do the opposite.

 

[Just Linda]

Interesting addition to the conversation. Thank you. So much for the inside man damning Michkov theory . Any chance you can produce said quote ? I’d be interested in the context .

So it's any interesting journey.

Tony Mariano said on his show that Aaron Portzline had said it. I haven't ever found the Portzline quote though, it could just be that google is shit and makes finding anything impossible.