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

[AintLifeGrand]

is Michkov next Kovalchuk?

 

[Kshahdoo]

is Michkov next Kovalchuk?

Lol, there is nothing in common between them. I said many times, stillistically Michkov reminds Kaprizov. Maybe with a little bit Kucherov in him.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Thank you for a legit answer.

For a smaller player skating just becomes even more important, it really should have to be at an elite level to ease the concerns on that part. As of today it’s a legit concern and an area where the 2 others have an edge over Michkov.

If all where equal in age even at that point it wouldn’t be an easy decision to take Kucherov over Bergeron, Bergeron is the best shutdown versatile in this league whon can score at an ppg pace.
& as long as he’s in Boston Bostons Cup window is open. This league runs through the middle that heavily.
Even Kaprizov I wouldn’t take, the only reason people don’t see Minnesota as a legit contender is their C group. So you take Kaprizov and you are left looking for that legit 1C.

& I can agree with you on Michkov having that potential but a good chance? Prime Kucherov is his ceiling and that’s never the easiest bet to make. Especially again when even you admit his skating isn’t elite for his size and European leagues are much more forgiving for that.

As to skating let's compare Eichel and Kaprizov. The same draft and stylistically kinda simmilar to Fantilli and Michkov respectively.

So at the draft Eichel was considered an elite skater while for Kaprizov skating was his major weakness (at least by people's opinion). And nowadays when it comes to skating a lot of people pick Kaprizov over Eichel. Eichel is still faster (not as much faster as it was back to draft though), but as to everything other it's Kaprizov. Michkov has even more ridiculous edge work than Kaprizov...

I don't agree with Kucherov being ceiling for Michkov. So far Michkov has been better than Kucherov at every level.

 

[BB88]

I think most of the comments come from how dominant he’s been in every international tournament. And I know you can’t just compare those games but he’s done at levels be his best peers mostly older than him across the world what most don’t do that translates to NHL stardom. prime Michkov can be a superstar winger that brings you out of your seat every night in his prime. For example I know people like to talk the 200 foot game, it’s important, but no one critiqued Patrick Kanes D game because he was just so good on offense.

I’ll say the more I’ve seen Fantilli and Carlsson the more I like them too. I really like Fantilli and if CBJ picks him based on what I’ve seen from league games I’m on board with a top puck. Im not as much of a Carlsson hater as I once was. I think his offense (Michkov) makes up for some lacks defensively.

That all surrounds offense.
I get that he has superstar potential and a team that gets him gets a rare prospect.

But don’t fans see versatility, defense, skating as skills?
Hockey is so much more than blind offensive stats and for NHL teams trying to build winning teams it takes so much more than that.

Panarin is a highlight machine yet you don’t still build around him. Gaudreau is a highlight machine yet you still rather have a dominant C to build around.

I just don’t see how it’s realistic to use the word ainec today, without having a major bias

 

[BB88]

As to skating let's compare Eichel and Kaprizov. The same draft and stylistically kinda simmilar to Fantilli and Michkov respectively.

So at the draft Eichel was considered an elite skater while for Kaprizov skating was his major weakness (at least by people's opinion). And nowadays when it comes to skating a lot of people pick Kaprizov over Eichel. Eichel is still faster (not as much faster as it was back to draft though), but as to everything other it's Kaprizov. Michkov has even more ridiculous edge work than Kaprizov...

I don't agree with Kucherov being ceiling for Michkov. So far Michkov has been better than Kucherov at every level.

Kucherov has a career high of 128 and has 3 100 point or more seasons under his belt.

Expecting Michkov to hit a level above is like expecting him to become McDavid which he’ll never be& you are setting up as reaching just Gaudreau/Panarin level as a ”failure” for him.
Which is unfair towards him.

Kaprizov is a franchise forward& it’s not impossible for forward to improve their skating.
Barkov turned his draft day weakness(skating) into a strenght, it still was his draft day concern as it will be Michkovs.

Per every Barkov/Kaprizov we see constantly ultra skilled forwards fail to improve their skating and becoming play drivers in the NHL.

& Kaprizov weighs +200lbs, his physique is very different to Michkovs& you still don’t pick Kaprizov over any of the leagues top C’s even as good as he is.

So is there really a ainec gap between the prospects or are they on the same tier?
Michkov is a ultra skilled forward and Fantilli& Carlsson skilled C’s with superior all around game.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Kucherov has a career high of 128 and has 3 100 point or more seasons under his belt.

Expecting Michkov to hit a level above is like expecting him to become McDavid which he’ll never be& you are setting up as reaching just Gaudreau/Panarin level as a ”failure” for him.
Which is unfair towards him.

Kaprizov is a franchise forward& it’s not impossible for forward to improve their skating.
Barkov turned his draft day weakness(skating) into a strenght, it still was his draft day concern as it will be Michkovs.

Per every Barkov/Kaprizov we see constantly ultra skilled forwards fail to improve their skating and becoming play drivers in the NHL.

& Kaprizov weighs +200lbs, his physique is very different to Michkovs& you still don’t pick Kaprizov over any of the leagues top C’s even as good as he is.

So is there really a ainec gap between the prospects or are they on the same tier?
Michkov is a ultra skilled forward and Fantilli& Carlsson skilled C’s with superior all around game.

Funny shit, when it comes to Bedard NA posters are overly ecstatic. Like Bedard this, Bedard that, generational prospect without questions! When it comes to Michkov it's 180 degree different. Records... what records?.. Ah, records... they mean nothing. And if Michkov becomes as good as Kucherov, it'll be huge win for him...

Yeah, HFboards clearly don't have any NA bias...

 

[Guadana]

Funny shit, when it comes to Bedard NA posters are overly ecstatic. Like Bedard this, Bedard that, generational prospect without questions! When it comes to Michkov it's 180 degree different. Records... what records?.. Ah, records... they mean nothing. And if Michkov becomes as good as Kucherov, it'll be huge win for him...

Yeah, HFboards clearly don't have any NA bias...

Bedard? Who cares about size and defensive game.

Wha-wha-wait! Ofcourse Michkov isn't top 3 because of size and defensive game.

 

[NTDP]

That all surrounds offense.
I get that he has superstar potential and a team that gets him gets a rare prospect.

But don’t fans see versatility, defense, skating as skills?
Hockey is so much more than blind offensive stats and for NHL teams trying to build winning teams it takes so much more than that.

Panarin is a highlight machine yet you don’t still build around him. Gaudreau is a highlight machine yet you still rather have a dominant C to build around.

I just don’t see how it’s realistic to use the word ainec today, without having a major bias

But isn’t that what you want in a top pick? A rare prospect that has superstar potential. Just because he’s a wing you can still build around him. I’m not trying to say Michkov ainec & it was never about blind stat watching with me for him, he attacks the game and is able to create for himself and those around him. At times he plays like he’s a center out there and applies pressure without the puck. I didn’t see his last MHL games to close out the year but I think people are honing in on him not looking good in those games and taking that as he isn’t what we thought he was.

Yes you’re correct defense, skating, and versatility are all skills. And players can work on their D skills as they mature, almost every one of them does. There’s coaches saying now that offense is actually harder to teach than the D side of the game which is about gapping, making your stick long, and keeping the feet moving. The last guy I saw that had a great 2 way game ahead of his age was Matt Beniers, his play in the neutral zone at Michigan was more fun to watch than his offense.

 

[Kshahdoo]

But isn’t that what you want in a top pick? A rare prospect that has superstar potential. Just because he’s a wing you can still build around him. I’m not trying to say Michkov ainec & it was never about blind stat watching with me for him, he attacks the game and is able to create for himself and those around him. At times he plays like he’s a center out there and applies pressure without the puck. I didn’t see his last MHL games to close out the year but I think people are honing in on him not looking good in those games and taking that as he isn’t what we thought he was.

Yes you’re correct defense, skating, and versatility are all skills. And players can work on their D skills as they mature, almost every one of them does. There’s coaches saying now that offense is actually harder to teach than the D side of the game which is about gapping, making your stick long, and keeping the feet moving. The last guy I saw that had a great 2 way game ahead of his age was Matt Beniers, his play in the neutral zone at Michigan was more fun to watch than his offense.

Did Patrick Kane play a lot of defense? Well, you know the answer to this question. As you know about his 3 cups and a pivotal role he played in winning them...

 

[BB88]

But isn’t that what you want in a top pick? A rare prospect that has superstar potential. Just because he’s a wing you can still build around him. I’m not trying to say Michkov ainec & it was never about blind stat watching with me for him, he attacks the game and is able to create for himself and those around him. At times he plays like he’s a center out there and applies pressure without the puck. I didn’t see his last MHL games to close out the year but I think people are honing in on him not looking good in those games and taking that as he isn’t what we thought he was.

Yes you’re correct defense, skating, and versatility are all skills. And players can work on their D skills as they mature, almost every one of them does. There’s coaches saying now that offense is actually harder to teach than the D side of the game which is about gapping, making your stick long, and keeping the feet moving. The last guy I saw that had a great 2 way game ahead of his age was Matt Beniers, his play in the neutral zone at Michigan was more fun to watch than his offense.

Yes and I feel both Fantilli& Carlsson are franchise prospects as well.
Dominant C impacts the game more than a dominant winger, especially one dimensional.

I’m not trying to beat Michkov down rather ask is there any legit merit for calling Michkov a superior prospect?

Plenty of fans just constantly keep saying Michkov ainec, would just love to hear the actual reasonings

 

[BB88]

Funny shit, when it comes to Bedard NA posters are overly ecstatic. Like Bedard this, Bedard that, generational prospect without questions! When it comes to Michkov it's 180 degree different. Records... what records?.. Ah, records... they mean nothing. And if Michkov becomes as good as Kucherov, it'll be huge win for him...

Yeah, HFboards clearly don't have any NA bias...

What’s your point here?

Again trying to have real conversations here and this is the quality it gets.

If you watch Carlsson right now can you say without bias Michkov is superior to Carlsson for example?

It’s sad that nobody can talk about Michkov without certain group losing their mind.

& right now Bedards game is easier to predict and makes him less risky.
Michkov has a very high ceiling but he carries the most risk out of the top picks, I live nowhere near NA so I have zero na bias

 

[Kshahdoo]

What’s your point here?

Again trying to have real conversations here and this is the quality it gets.

If you watch Carlsson right now can you say without bias Michkov is superior to Carlsson for example?

It’s sad that nobody can talk about Michkov without certain group losing their mind.

& right now Bedards game is easier to predict and makes him less risky.
Michkov has a very high ceiling but he carries the most risk out of the top picks, I live nowhere near NA so I have zero na bias

Better IQ, better shot, better hands, even better skating (at least in the offensive zone) and as a result better statistics in a tougher league and other tournaments. Isn't it enough?

 

[Sasha Orlov]

What’s your point here?

Again trying to have real conversations here and this is the quality it gets.

If you watch Carlsson right now can you say without bias Michkov is superior to Carlsson for example?

It’s sad that nobody can talk about Michkov without certain group losing their mind.

& right now Bedards game is easier to predict and makes him less risky.
Michkov has a very high ceiling but he carries the most risk out of the top picks, I live nowhere near NA so I have zero na bias

Yes by quite a margin too

 

[NTDP]

Yes and I feel both Fantilli& Carlsson are franchise prospects as well.
Dominant C impacts the game more than a dominant winger, especially one dimensional.

I’m not trying to beat Michkov down rather ask is there any legit merit for calling Michkov a superior prospect?

Plenty of fans just constantly keep saying Michkov ainec, would just love to hear the actual reasonings

Yeah I think the “top 4” of this draft all could be franchise changing. Wasn’t a shot at Fantilli or Carlsson.

The one thing I disagree with is the one dimensional aspect. Michkov can attack you from all angles with hands, speed, and creative with his shot. He can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. He has more of a physical element than gets mentioned on here and he’s not afraid to throw his weight around. He’s stronger on his skates than his height indicates. As a wing he battles for the puck anywhere not just his side of the ice. It very hard to put into words I guess, just the games over the last couple years I’ve seen I’ve come away from almost all of them saying “man I’d love to get this kid, you don’t see many like him.”

 

[BB88]

Better IQ, better shot, better hands, even better skating (at least in the offensive zone) and as a result better statistics in a tougher league and other tournaments. Isn't it enough?

You know his skating isn’t better for his size.

So if you say IQ and we can argue the rest is that enough to cover the defense, versatility, skating& size the others have to make an argument for superior prospect?
Out of the top4 prospects Michkov carries the most risk, agree or not?

You know dominant C is far more valuable than a dominant W.

Yes by quite a margin too

Why?

Yeah I think the “top 4” of this draft all could be franchise changing. Wasn’t a shot at Fantilli or Carlsson.

The one thing I disagree with is the one dimensional aspect. Michkov can attack you from all angles with hands, speed, and creative with his shot. He can score from anywhere in the offensive zone. He has more of a physical element than gets mentioned on here and he’s not afraid to throw his weight around. He’s stronger on his skates than his height indicates. As a wing he battles for the puck anywhere not just his side of the ice. It very hard to put into words I guess, just the games over the last couple years I’ve seen I’ve come away from almost all of them saying “man I’d love to get this kid, you don’t see many like him.”

I don’t see Michkov ever becoming Marner/Marchand/Rantanen type winger, so versatile in that way.

It’s okay to prefer Michkov over the C’s but I don’t see a legit argument for AINEC

 

[Kevin Musto]

Better IQ, better shot, better hands, even better skating (at least in the offensive zone) and as a result better statistics in a tougher league and other tournaments. Isn't it enough?

Right now, the SHL is a better league than the KHL

 

[HuGo Sham]

Do posters see him potentially falling to the Habs at 5, assuming everything stays status quo?

 

[Czechboy]

Do posters see him potentially falling to the Habs at 5, assuming everything stays status quo?

At this point he could go 2OV or round 2.lol Such a strange time.

 

[HuGo Sham]

At this point he could go 2OV or round 2.lol Such a strange time.

thx. I wonder what hughes does at 5 if he's available. I think because of the Bobrov connection, they draft him. Of course there's the Will Smith connection to Hughes, so who the f*** knows lol

 

[Czechboy]

thx. I wonder what hughes does at 5 if he's available. I think because of the Bobrov connection, they draft him. Of course there's the Will Smith connection to Hughes, so who the f*** knows lol

He should be 2 or it should be a Taylor vs Tyler type year. If he went 2, I wouldn't bat an eye. If he slips to 30 .. I wouldn't bat an eye.lol

 

[Sasha Orlov]

You know his skating isn’t better for his size.

So if you say IQ and we can argue the rest is that enough to cover the defense, versatility, skating& size the others have to make an argument for superior prospect?
Out of the top4 prospects Michkov carries the most risk, agree or not?

You know dominant C is far more valuable than a dominant W.



Why?



I don’t see Michkov ever becoming Marner/Marchand/Rantanen type winger, so versatile in that way.

It’s okay to prefer Michkov over the C’s but I don’t see a legit argument for AINEC

It’s so weird to be told that he is a better player and what he’s better at and to keep asking why because you just don’t want to accept it lol

you’ve been told already how and why he is better

 

[Caser]

Right now, the SHL is a better league than the KHL

Yeah, right lol, previously I was confident that you don't watch the KHL, now I'm pretty sure you don't watch the SHL too.

 

[BB88]

It’s so weird to be told that he is a better player and what he’s better at and to keep asking why because you just don’t want to accept it lol

you’ve been told already how and why he is better

So you put zero value in defense& versatility?
Hockey is a 200ft game and there’s more to it than just the offensive side.

- Michkov has the biggest question marks out of the top picks? Agree or not
- Fantilli& Carlsson are more versatile prospects/players, agree or not?

Fact is dominant C’s are more valuable than dominant W’s.

HFboards love to go all in on offense and ignore the rest of what belongs to hockey and makes players valuable to their teams and to winning games.

If you take a look at everything, risk concern, upside, versatility, everything you seriously can’t say there’s a ainec situation here.
It’s okay to prefer Michkov over the others but he’s not in the McDavid tier of prospects.

 

[Anardil]

Do posters see him potentially falling to the Habs at 5, assuming everything stays status quo?

It's possible, but I suggest that you don't get your hopes up if that happens. The Habs won't be picking him.

 

[Kshahdoo]

It'll be fun to watch fans of teams that passed on Michkov in 5 or so years...