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

[Studz]

~7 minutes of highlights from Michkov's first 7 NHL games:

Also shared my thoughts here if anyone's interested: First Impressions: Matvei Michkov

After reading through this thread, I agree with the Matthew Tkachuk style comp (NZ link-up play from RW and quick-strike playmaking near the goal line). Whiskey's takes align pretty closely with mine. We can debate how much his speed will hold him back long-term, but there's really no denying the puck skills and IQ. Sees the ice like very few young players in the game.

Great video, what a talent. He should have 10+ points watching those highlights. Also great write up.

 

[SaSaShi]

Thanks for checking it out. I have to imagine either he and/or Philly's management will prioritize his skating over the summer. Assuming he gains a step, he should take his 5-on-5 offense to another level. We already know what he can do on the PP.

Regarding his 5 on 5 work on offense. He leads the team in ES xGF/60 ( even strength expected goals for per 60 mins) for the flyers at 3.33 which is good already and also a net positive. His xGF/60 also confirms the eye test and the lack of ES production is more of a team issue rather than an individual one. (Thx graviteh video)

Compared to other rookies for example: Stankoven has 6 ES points. His ES xGF/60 is 2.82.

The difference is Dallas is a great team and Stankoven is playing with Hintz and Robertson and they have great dmen as well.

Plus, this all a small sample size so these underlying numbers/ stats can change any which way, but from the first 7 games at least, Michkov 5 on 5 offensive play has been good. Production has been bad. But, if he keeps up his 5 on 5 play, just a matter of time until the ES points start coming.

 

[SlobKnox]

Look I'm done arguing this but let's suppose that you are right how do you explain his total lack of a defensive game and lack of tilting the ice 5 on 5 in any meaningful way then?

Or maybe you just haven't been watching hockey very long?

Right now he looks like a PP merchant like I suggested upthread.

So making his point that you can’t comprehend what you are watching

 

[pacehimself]

Look I'm done arguing this but let's suppose that you are right how do you explain his total lack of a defensive game and lack of tilting the ice 5 on 5 in any meaningful way then?

Or maybe you just haven't been watching hockey very long?

Right now he looks like a PP merchant like I suggested upthread.



I agree with this but the "generational tag" gets thrown around way too easily and has lost all meaning.

If you’ve actually been watching the games, you will see how many times his line mates are caught off guard by a pass heading there way from Michkov. The even strength points will come, it would help if he had competent line mates on a consistent basis. You are just reading the stat sheets to come to your conclusion.

There isn’t a “total lack of defensive game”. There have been a few hiccups from a 19 year old, but if anything he’s been surprisingly competent defensively considering the whole team is a complete disaster. +/- is a useless stat. The team looks lost from the goalie outward.

Michkov has been impressive even with the limitations the team has. The whole “generational” tag won’t be an actual debate for a few years. If he can finish at a point per game clip and continue to progress in the next few years then we can have that debate. All in all he is pretty much the flyers best player at 19 years old, hopefully they actually build a team around him unlike Giroux.

 

[keglu]

I'm not sensitive just because you think so. I think your takes are laughable, that's just all. You don't think Ovie is generational and therefor I won't mind anything you call me. But if I would be sensitive, what are you? The one who doesn't have the balls to answer another individual and then cry about it here? You call me sensitive and I call you what then? Stupid and a narcissist? If Ovie isn't generational then you aren't a human being. We can just create our own subjective lies as much as we all want. You seem to be the master of that.

I'm not offended. I just think it's plain stupid to not claim the possibly best goalscorer ever generational. If anything, it's delusional.

Regarding your list? What a joke. McDavid isn't better than Jagr imho. He also hasn't been near to reach Ovies titles and performances so far. Will he do that? Probably, who knows. I just do think it's so simple minded and pathetic to call McDavid generational and not Ovie. I mean McDavid haven't even won a Stanley with Draisatl yet. Kucherov has produced more these last two seasons? Hasn't Kucherov already won a Stanley as well? But what, McDavid is then generational and not Ovie.
What about McDavids linemate and still he isn't top 10 so far this year? Again, very generational... In his prime as well... Let me guess, just because Messi is the best ever in football that excludes Ronaldo from being a generational player? Thank you for the laugh and showing your simple way of reasoning.
You seem to be filled with this NA biased bullish*t and I'm calling you out and enjoying it.

For me it is more about Ovi not being generational level of a player post his first 5 years in NHL. In 2010s his PPG was similar to Tavares and Giroux and behind Stamkos and Kane.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Bedard played in the WHL, a way tougher league to score in. Thought that would be implied.

He led the league by 36 points and 21 goals over the next guy before turning 18. There were only two WHL’ers to eclipse 100 points. Kane led the OHL in scoring by 11 points and was second in goals and assists. Nothing generational about his season and he was a late birthday. There were nine OHL’ers to eclipse the 100-point mark.

Tavares regressed to average OHL numbers in his draft season to curtail any generational talk.

Bedard’s WHL accomplishments were staggering:

-Most points in a WHL season since 1995–96.
-Most goals in a WHL season by a 17-year-old since 1998-99
-2.509 points per game the best since 1990-91
-Youngest WHL player in history to score 50 goals
-Highest career GPG average in over 40 years and one of only four WHL’ers in history to average a goal a game.

If you want to move the goal posts to say he was only a generational WHL prospect, be my guest.

He was certainly a generational junior player. His game and skillset was perfectly suited for shredding opponents in junior hockey - his WJC record is evidence enough of that.

That said, believe scoring in the 2022-23 WHL season was roughly equivalent to the OHL in 2006-2007. It's not the stingy league that it used to be.