I believe hockey fans have no issues with Hans fans who wanted Michkov. There are special habs fans who thinks that Reinbacher potentially is more impactful player and decision was right. And Michkov isn’t as special at all. The beef is with them. Especially with some who thinks that Reinbacher potentially is more impactful, rare and pricey that Demidov and Michkov. It’s especially fun because mtl board have own thread for SKA Russia KHL hockey game with many pages of conversation on it. Yeah, I believe that’s a way to discuss consensual not the best prospect of the mtl canadiens who is not the most intriguing and potentially most talented prospect of the team. Team, that decided to draft winger by 1OA pick when there were two RDs available. And after Reinbacher mtl still continue to draft winger over centers or other defensemen.
The problem is in mtl haters - it’s a small but very active special part of fan base who is continuing to sh1t on Michkov with repeating stories of his bad attitude (he has no bad character, he just hates to loose) - which was translated by mtl team and media, of his bad two way game(like he was the only one top prospect with meh defensive game) - which was translated by mtl team and media, of his small size (like he was the only one top prospect of the small size and waaaaaay shorter than Demidov) - which was translated by mtl team and media, of his desire to not play for mtl - which was not translated by mtl team(you will ask why because they were not afraid to talk bad about him and this argument would put everything on the logic path, may be because he didn’t and they can’t lie like this with the straight face) which was fake - he literally said by himself he had meeting with mtl and he said that he will be ready to play - even for Arizona.
The whole thing is pure nonsense because of his three years deal and mtl stupidity of Bobrov or someone else we will never know. And the only real victim is Reinbacher who will be compared with Michkov because of bad decision of scout and/or gm. They could build the most dangerous offense if they would wanted, but they tried to outthink it. Still very good team with so many interesting young players. This is a survivor's mistake. Michkov is in the harder position with less talented flyers roster now. But mtl could easily build dynasty roster with right decision on the draft and trade up next year with their pick for defenseman or sign experienced defenseman on the market. Or trade for him. With right management it could be black hawks level story.
But now they will never make a trade or sign 90-100+ points player and even with very talented roster they will fight for survive as other talented teams. They missed their free opportunity to build something special. May be if they will f*caked up another season - they will draft one more really talented player, but I think mtl will be better this year to draft players with special potential. And still they will have min chance to draft another player with as much impressive track record and iq/decision making tool.