Prospect Info: Round 1, 7th overall: Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

[Rich Nixon]

Then we need fire Torts until 30th May 2024.

No better time than yesterday.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Bring on Tortorella's 3rd locker room revolt in 4 stops.

 

[Magua]

The Flyers aggressively wanting Michkov to get out of his KHL contract after 1 year is as clear as it gets that this isn't a rebuild -- it's a retool. If it was a rebuild, they wouldn't mind a 3 year timeline to really stockpile. So, they're not acquiring more assets, they're keeping all their valuable aging players on the roster, and they want their superstar prospect here tomorrow. It looks very much like they want to keep this roster intact and just insert Michkov, under the tutelage of Tortorella. Not great!

I have no doubt there's myopic business decisions at work too. They're worried about the Flyers leaving the public consciousness (bit late, eh?), so they want that jolt ASAP, even if it compromises building a contender long-term.

 

[Flyerfan4life]

The Flyers aggressively wanting Michkov to get out of his KHL contract after 1 year is as clear as it gets that this isn't a rebuild -- it's a retool. If it was a rebuild, they wouldn't mind a 3 year timeline to really stockpile. So, they're not acquiring more assets, they're keeping all their valuable aging players on the roster, and they want their superstar prospect here tomorrow. It looks very much like they want to keep this roster intact and just insert Michkov, under the tutelage of Tortorella. Not great!

I have no doubt there's myopic business decisions at work too. They're worried about the Flyers leaving the public consciousness (bit late, eh?), so they want that jolt ASAP, even if it compromises building a contender long-term.

yup... and 100% Torts is getting his hands on MM. so expect a different player when the seasons in mid swing from him.

 

[Caser]

ASF on STG:

- Apparently Michkov was originally scheduled to throw out the Phillies first pitch with Oliver Bonk. He thought that was interesting that no one reported on that

- ASF credits the Flyers for doing such a good job bringing Michkov in, how excited Michkov was with the Flyers. "He wants to play for the Flyers, and soon."

- "If he wants to get over, he's going to get over. It's not going to be a problem getting him here. It's just not. The question is when. And I think the Flyers are perfectly fine with him staying in Russia another year, he'd be like a junior hockey player. I wouldn't be surprised if he's here next year." From everything ASF is hearing, he wouldn't be surprised if next year is the year Michkov tries to get over.

The thing is that the KHL rules are made the way that the player-initiated buyout in Michkov's case is now only possible for the last year of the contract. Mutual termination is possible at any moment though, but no way SKA will be willing to let him go.

 

[Beef Invictus]

The Flyers aggressively wanting Michkov to get out of his KHL contract after 1 year is as clear as it gets that this isn't a rebuild -- it's a retool. If it was a rebuild, they wouldn't mind a 3 year timeline to really stockpile. So, they're not acquiring more assets, they're keeping all their valuable aging players on the roster, and they want their superstar prospect here tomorrow. It looks very much like they want to keep this roster intact and just insert Michkov, under the tutelage of Tortorella. Not great!

I have no doubt there's myopic business decisions at work too. They're worried about the Flyers leaving the public consciousness (bit late, eh?), so they want that jolt ASAP, even if it compromises building a contender long-term.

Like I said. They have Gauthier. They have Mitchkov. They'll dive into dmen next year and they're declaring it mission accomplished. They're going to waste MM's career like always.

They have no understanding of a rebuild. I know they think they're doing one. They are wrong.

 

[Dr Jablonski PhD]

I mean I think you'd be really really hard pressed to find an NHL team that wouldn't want their potential franchise player to join after 1 year rather than 3 years. Forming opinions on management's plan based on something like this seems a bit weird

 

[Beef Invictus]

I mean I think you'd be really really hard pressed to find an NHL team that wouldn't want their potential franchise player to join after 1 year rather than 3 years. Forming opinions on management's plan based on something like this seems a bit weird

It's not just that. It's also that they're keeping a bunch of guys with actual value. The only reason to do that is if you're certain you'll be competing while they're still worth something on the ice. I've been pointing this out for a while, not just since this dropped. Their approach to this is that they think they're way, way, way closer than they are. It's more like the usual "culture retool" they like to do.

 

[Fly0rDie]

ASF on STG:

- Apparently Michkov was originally scheduled to throw out the Phillies first pitch with Oliver Bonk. He thought that was interesting that no one reported on that

- ASF credits the Flyers for doing such a good job bringing Michkov in, how excited Michkov was with the Flyers. "He wants to play for the Flyers, and soon."

- "If he wants to get over, he's going to get over. It's not going to be a problem getting him here. It's just not. The question is when. And I think the Flyers are perfectly fine with him staying in Russia another year, he'd be like a junior hockey player. I wouldn't be surprised if he's here next year." From everything ASF is hearing, he wouldn't be surprised if next year is the year Michkov tries to get over.

I would rather he stay in Russia for 3 years rather than be stuck with this absolute garbage player development staff to be honest… Still great news though however. The whole situation was WAY overblown to begin with. He was never not gonna come over at some point in the next 3 years.

 

[Rich Nixon]

My dream scenario is they let Michkov's KHL contract run its course, draft well, gut the roster, and go into summer 2026 with Michkov stateside and a whole lotta cap space.

Meanwhile, the Oilers continue to flounder, and McDavid decides to become the highest-paid free agent ever. So you hand him a blank check and watch him and Michkov slaughter the league for two seasons until McD's knee explodes for good.

A boy can dream.

 

[ProcessThis]

Maybe we should put a pin in this conversation for about 10 years, at which you might have entered the 21st century.

Go look at where the Eagles ranked in rush attempts last year. Thanks.

 

[JojoTheWhale]

I hope it's AI.

My dream scenario is they let Michkov's KHL contract run its course, draft well, gut the roster, and go into summer 2026 with Michkov stateside and a whole lotta cap space.

Meanwhile, the Oilers continue to flounder, and McDavid decides to become the highest-paid free agent ever. So you hand him a blank check and watch him and Michkov slaughter the league for two seasons until McD's knee explodes for good.

A boy can dream.

Do you think they can afford to re-sign Laughton in this scenario? I'm just thinking about the potential negatives.

 

[Redpath]

The thing is that the KHL rules are made the way that the player-initiated buyout in Michkov's case is now only possible for the last year of the contract. Mutual termination is possible at any moment though, but no way SKA will be willing to let him go.

ASF played up "behind-the scenes, backroom" aspects of getting out of the contract. Maybe it's artificial Keith Jones-leaked hype. Who knows.

 

[Fly0rDie]

ASF played up "behind-the scenes, backroom" aspects of getting out of the contract. Maybe it's artificial Keith Jones-leaked hype. Who knows.

That random guy on Twitter was right all along…

 

[RANKKA]

My dream scenario is they let Michkov's KHL contract run its course, draft well, gut the roster, and go into summer 2026 with Michkov stateside and a whole lotta cap space.

Meanwhile, the Oilers continue to flounder, and McDavid decides to become the highest-paid free agent ever. So you hand him a blank check and watch him and Michkov slaughter the league for two seasons until McD's knee explodes for good.

A boy can dream.

we have a same dream

 

[Striiker]

“A new era of Orange”

What’s new about this? Basically doing what Hextall did, but with worse planning, worse execution, and better luck?

 

[Fly0rDie]

we have a same dream

I want what you guys are smoking…

 

[Magua]

It's not just that. It's also that they're keeping a bunch of guys with actual value. The only reason to do that is if you're certain you'll be competing while they're still worth something on the ice.

This. I wouldn't mind it if they were content to trade Laughton and Konecny, etc., etc. That signals to me they have a real vision. I don't really understand wasting Michkov's cheapest years on a rebuilding team either, but that's not signaling complacency, and it's a situation any North American prospect would encounter. Twiddling thumbs, not moving assets, and just throwing a Michkov cherry on top and getting back into the perma-bubble? No, thank you. To their core, they believe they will have enough elite talent by 2024-2025, their veterans are boons, and their Jortorella Culture will fill in all cracks.

 

[Beef Invictus]

This. I wouldn't mind it if they were content to trade Laughton and Konecny, etc., etc. That signals to me they have a real vision. I don't really understand wasting Michkov's cheapest years on a rebuilding team either, but that's not signaling complacency, and it's a situation any North American prospect would encounter. Twiddling thumbs, not moving assets, and just throwing a Michkov cherry on top and getting back into the perma-bubble? No, thank you.

I can think myself into understanding TK staying. In theory he will still be good in 5 years, we hope. But Laughton? Tippett? Seeler? Hart*?

How are we achieving this 3 year turnover without actually turning anything over?

 

[Hollywood Cannon]

They’re pissing on our head and telling us it’s raining with this “rebuild.” It’s a retool.

Now imagine where this organization would be if they didn’t luck into a Michkov.

So maybe Sommerman’s guy was right. It IS too early in the rebuild.

 

[JojoTheWhale]

I can think myself into understanding TK staying. In theory he will still be good in 5 years, we hope. But Laughton? Tippett? Seeler? Hart*?

How are we achieving this 3 year turnover without actually turning anything over?

Still no. Sign the Tatar UFA equivalent when ready and spend the intervening years compounding the value of your cap space and draft position.

 

[Magua]

I can think myself into getting TK staying.

When trading Konecny was discussed last deadline, I said it's a summer move at earliest. I said there is no harm in knowing if you win a Bedard or Fantilli to change the calculus. If they got a Reinbacher or Leonard, I'd be slamming the trade button. Well, Michkov at 7 does change the calculus. But then Konecny also likely needs a new contract before Michkov plays a single minute here. That complicates it.

It's not like the Flyers are devoid of fine middle 6 pieces. But their entire 2-3 year plan should be to surround Michkov with multiple other players on his tier. It's the funniest part about people like Meltzer wailing, "You want to be like Buffalo with Eichel?!" And then being content following that one-star model. Let's say, dreams come true, he becomes a Kucherov/Marner/etc tier player. Look at what else those teams have. Holy shit, look what Jersey has in our own division for 10+ years.

 

[Fly0rDie]

They’re pissing on our head and telling us it’s raining with this “rebuild.” It’s a retool.

Now imagine where this organization would be if they didn’t luck into a Michkov.

I’m willing to wait until the draft rolls around next year to see if any of TK/Laughts/Hart are moved before calling the rebuild a complete bust but it certainly doesn’t look promising.

 

[Hollywood Cannon]

I’m willing to wait until the draft rolls around next year to see if any of TK/Laughts/Hart are moved before calling the rebuild a complete bust but it certainly doesn’t look promising.

I just want ONE player to be moved out that wasn’t obvious for Torts/One foot out the door reasons.

Just one.

 

[JojoTheWhale]

When trading Konecny was discussed last deadline, I said it's a summer move at earliest. I said there is no harm in knowing if you win a Bedard or Fantilli to change the calculus. If they got a Reinbacher or Leonard, I'd be slamming the trade button. Well, Michkov at 7 does change the calculus. But then Konecny also likely needs a new contract before Michkov plays a single minute here.

It's not like the Flyers are devoid of nice middle 6 pieces. But their entire 2-3 year plan should be to surround Michkov with multiple other players on his tier. It's the funniest part about people like Meltzer wailing, "You want to be like Buffalo?!" And then being content following that one-star model.

I want to be like 2023 Buffalo. Whatever* happened there, they finally get it.

*It’s Sam Ventura and whoever hired him.