RW Matvei Michkov (2023, 7th, PHI) Part 4

[Zine]

I’ve said it a million times. They feel like they are more important than they are. They sign the best roster in the KHL two times over and then struggle with the KHL’s rigged salary cap. Great, but the KHL is also a league for players who don’t make it in the NHL or haven’t yet went to the NHL. Like all the other leagues, there is nothing special about these random dudes on SKA. The only ones who remotely are important figures in hockey are players like Michkov and Demidov. You could add a few of their other NHL prospects to that list. They sign guys like Galchenyuk and treat him like a star when he could barely cling to an NHL spot in recent seasons.

They’ve been doing this too long, and I hope we start to see these players like Michkov reject SKA’s offers to them in the future. Michkov was initially at Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. The next Michkov should see this and refuse to sign with SKA when they try to buy out his contract from a club without close to the same resources. Let SKA fill out their team with NA has-beens and KHL stars. The real NHL prospects should stay away.

Michkov not playing isn’t remotely debatable. It’s straight up ridiculous after how he performed last season and throughout his whole hockey career. He’d probably not be scratched once in the much better NHL. Anyone defending this has an agenda. This isn’t right and everyone should be able to admit it.

Rotenberg initially fashioned SKA to be the modern equivalent of Soviet CSKA…. i.e. a quasi-national team at league level.

But unlike Soviet days, he also tried to copy USA’s NTDP at junior level and play them in the MHL/VHL.
Despite SKA’s resources, great facilities and skills coaching, it created a congestion at every level within SKA.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

It appears he'll get his first game this season.

When?

 

[Zine]

Why do all the Habs fans think they are now the defenders of SKA? Do you want everyone else to be anti-Reinbacher? That’s what this could get to.

This is despicable treatment. He was better in the KHL than nearly every player on SKA’s roster last season as a first year draft eligible. It’s logical to believe there’s going to be more improvement this season. It’s completely illogical that he’s not in the lineup. If you are seriously defending it, you have an agenda. Any hockey fan should be against this.


Podkolzin isn’t half the player. He was a total shot in the dark. Maybe he turns into a good player or maybe you don’t know his name in 10 years. Michkov is on a way higher caliber. It’s not fair to compare Michkov’s situation to Podkolzin. SKA has mistreated many good young players over the years, and Podkolzin is one of them, but Michkov’s situation is a completely different level.

PodkolzIn wasn't mistreated. He was given every opportunity in the world.
Vancouver is now experiencing the same thing SKA did, and they’re treating him quite similar. The guy has consistently issues.

The only difference is nobody is calling for his NHL contract to be terminated, or saying his usage is political like some said it was on SKA.
Funny how that works.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Prospect of his caliber should not play in VHL in his d+1. Best option is trade, but I think Rotenberg will not risk it(what if he starts scoring) so a loan to Vityaz or Sochi. Lesser evil, even though, playing on a bottom feeder is not great for development, still better than bench or VHL


No chance, 2028 or 2030 is the earliest realistic timeline

Hope that's not true

 

[NatusVincere]

The only difference is nobody is calling for his NHL contract to be terminated, or saying his usage is political.
Funny how that works.

It was Bragin who (correctly) assessed Podkolzin. Perhaps the country's greatest expert on junior hockey. Rotenberg has nowhere near his standing and experience.

 

[MXD]

And

So is Bedard,PKane and CCaufield!And so was MStLouis and YCournoyer and DKeon was no giant either

None of them were playing in a top team of a high-level pro league at 18 years old either... Kane was in the NHL, but he was quite significantly bigger than Michkov, and not exactly playing on a contender.
My point was mostly typographical anyways. Size and speed being main reasons n why a player who isn'T yet in his physical peak would be prefered to another, and Michkov is clearly lacking in one of these.

 

[Zine]

It was Bragin who (correctly) assessed Podkolzin. Perhaps the country's greatest expert on junior hockey. Rotenberg has nowhere near his standing and experience.

Right, but Rotenberg was GM at the time.

I'm not supporting Roma here..... the dude can't coach his way out of a paper bag.
I'm just highlighting the blatant hypocrisy, rush to judgements and foolish accusations that frequently occur then these things happen.

 

[Genghis Keon]

If Slafkovsky was trapped in a corrupt team behind a bunch of nobodies, you’d be outraged. And Slafkovsky hasn’t proved close to what Michkov has.

I’m not a Flyers fan, but any hockey fan should be against this. It’s bad for hockey if the best Russian since Ovechkin is being treated like this. Why should this team be able to hold this guy hostage because he has a contract with them?

I agree with you, but this is presumably a major reason why the Habs, much less the Flyers, had any chance at all to draft him. He's locked in 3 more years in an environment where his NHL team has no say/input in his development or usage.

Now it's just been 2 games and, like you've said, it presumably won't last, but it can't be fun for the Flyers or their fans that the team has absolutely no control or options. But again that's presumably a major reason the Flyers were able to get him in the first place, so it's kind of the cost of getting him.

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

It's funny searching "Michkov" on Twitter and seeing half the discussion in French. Habs fans are seemingly monitoring this situation as closely as Flyers fans. We all know why.

well most of the fans wanted Michkov so of course they will follow him to see if they were right or wrong and thats fine as long has they dont wish bad on him

 

[WarriorofTime]

I gotta agree with Pavel Buch. It's a major problem for the hockey world if the richest/most historic Russian hockey program is playing games with the top youngsters and ruining their development due to ego, politics or what have you. The lack of a transfer agreement really creates an issue since SKA basically holds him hostage knowing he is going to "bolt" for Philadelphia when he gets the chance.

The best he can do is just play well and focus on getting better even with the obstacles in his way.

 

[ReHabs]

The best he can do is just play well and focus on getting better even with the obstacles in his way.

Ding ding ding

 

[FlyguyOX]

If Slafkovsky was trapped in a corrupt team behind a bunch of nobodies, you’d be outraged. And Slafkovsky hasn’t proved close to what Michkov has.

I’m not a Flyers fan, but any hockey fan should be against this. It’s bad for hockey if the best Russian since Ovechkin is being treated like this. Why should this team be able to hold this guy hostage because he has a contract with them?

Slaf couldn’t hold Michkov’s jock strap

 

[FlyguyOX]

I agree with you, but this is presumably a major reason why the Habs, much less the Flyers, had any chance at all to draft him. He's locked in 3 more years in an environment where his NHL team has no say/input in his development or usage.

Now it's just been 2 games and, like you've said, it presumably won't last, but it can't be fun for the Flyers or their fans that the team has absolutely no control or options. But again that's presumably a major reason the Flyers were able to get him in the first place, so it's kind of the cost of getting him.

2 games man what a huge cost

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

PodkolzIn wasn't mistreated. He was given every opportunity in the world.
Vancouver is now experiencing the same thing SKA did, and they’re treating him quite similar. The guy has consistently issues.

Yes and no.

We're on the same page that Podkolzin's situation is nothing like Michkov's. Podkolzin, if he was mistreated, was not terribly mistreated. I have much less of an issue with players like Podkolzin struggling to get into SKA's lineup. This stuff happens for so many first round picks that are playing in European Men's leagues, although it's worse at SKA than everywhere else. I agree with you with where the problem originates. They have too many players for the spots they have for them.

I do think though that SKA doesn't have a good enough roster where Podkolzin shouldn't be able to keep a top 9 spot right after being drafted. Before being drafted, I understand it. That's rarely done by any player in the KHL through it's history. It's not that difficult through history for a player to keep a KHL spot the season after their first post-draft season, and I think Podkolzin should've gotten more of a chance to prove himself in SKA's lineup that season.

I agree with you, but this is presumably a major reason why the Habs, much less the Flyers, had any chance at all to draft him. He's locked in 3 more years in an environment where his NHL team has no say/input in his development or usage.

Now it's just been 2 games and, like you've said, it presumably won't last, but it can't be fun for the Flyers or their fans that the team has absolutely no control or options. But again that's presumably a major reason the Flyers were able to get him in the first place, so it's kind of the cost of getting him.

I don't disagree with the idea that NHL teams were scared off of this happening. I think that contributed to why he went 7th.

 

[Church Hill]

Maybe Michkov is just not good enough yet. SKA is 2-0 without him, only leaking 1 goal. Maybe with Michkov they score 1-2 more but also give up 2-3 more. Who knows?

Glad my team didn't draft him though, enjoy your next three years of drama.

 

[TopC0rner]

When?

Next game against Torpedo (tomorrow).

 

[Ace]

Maybe Michkov is just not good enough yet. SKA is 2-0 without him, only leaking 1 goal. Maybe with Michkov they score 1-2 more but also give up 2-3 more. Who knows?

Glad my team didn't draft him though, enjoy your next three years of drama.

i mean…anyone can know. He’s not only played in this league before but the numbers you’re making up for an example are completely impossible for any player in history to be on the hook for.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I gotta agree with Pavel Buch. It's a major problem for the hockey world if the richest/most historic Russian hockey program is playing games with the top youngsters and ruining their development due to ego, politics or what have you. The lack of a transfer agreement really creates an issue since SKA basically holds him hostage knowing he is going to "bolt" for Philadelphia when he gets the chance.

The best he can do is just play well and focus on getting better even with the obstacles in his way.

Did someone force this kid at gunpoint to sign a contract with them? Nope. He did it himself. Everyone knows how they treat young players in that organization.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Maybe Michkov is just not good enough yet. SKA is 2-0 without him, only leaking 1 goal. Maybe with Michkov they score 1-2 more but also give up 2-3 more. Who knows?

Well this is the point of the problem, SKA has far more talent than 95 % of KHL teams so they can mismanage themselves however they so well please and they will still win games. And yet, they haven't won the Gagarin Cup since the 2016-17 season, so it's like they are exactly optimizing their results.

Did someone force this kid at gunpoint to sign a contract with them? Nope. He did it himself. Everyone knows how they treat young players in that organization.

This is weirdly bitter and angry. Yes, I'm sure he wishes he signed with a different team but it's easy to get swept up in thinking you need to join the "best" (heavy airquotes) and most prestigious youth hockey organization in your one of your country's biggest cities.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

This is weirdly bitter and angry. Yes, I'm sure he wishes he signed with a different team but it's easy to get swept up in thinking you need to join the "best" (heavy airquotes) and most prestigious youth hockey organization in your one of your country's biggest cities.

Ok then he shouldn't be complaining he isn't playing. Neither should the fans.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Ok then he shouldn't be complaining he isn't playing. Neither should the fans.

Explain your thinking

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Next game against Torpedo (tomorrow).

What time?

 

[WarriorofTime]

What time?

12:30 pm Eastern time

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

12:30 pm Eastern time

Thanks...I'm going to miss a lot of it!Wishing Matvei Michkov Good Luck!!!

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Explain your thinking

Because he knew what he was signing up for? There really isnt much to explain. This his how SKA always treats young players. Not sure where the confusion is.