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

[Faterson]

I like the different threads because it allows being able to easily find and read the discussion around different parts of their careers easier.

Well, I disagree. It seems to me it's much easier to locate a certain part of a player's career at, say, "pages 20 to 32" of a single thread dedicated to that player (that's why there is paging in threads, and you can jump to a specific page right away, after clicking the 3 dots...), than having to search the forum for parts 1, 2, and 3 of "Michkov threads". God knows where they are today! That's really not how forum software was supposed to operate. One topic = one thread has always been the ideal, and it's nice that the most recent forum version here at HFBoards finally makes that possible.

PS: I hate Reddit and avoid it like the plague, precisely because it's impossible to keep track of discussion threads there. You're guaranteed to miss lots of content (lots of replies, etc.) in Reddit, because the silly software developers who created Reddit apparently don't care about organization at all but prefer chaos. So does Reddit's user base, apparently.

(Facebook is just as atrocious as Reddit – the same lack of organization of discussion, the same preference for chaos.)

 

[WarriorofTime]

PS: I hate Reddit and avoid it like the plague, precisely because it's impossible to keep track of discussion threads there. You're guaranteed to miss lots of content (lots of replies, etc.) in Reddit, because the silly software developers who created Reddit apparently don't care about organization at all but prefer chaos. So does Reddit's user base, apparently.

Reddit is far more social-media based. Lets you know what is hot/trending... it's about what's "right now" versus forums which are more archival based. The point isn't to track the evolution of a discussion, it's to show "these are the most highly liked comments on this topic" via the upvote system.

The issue, is like social media it becomes more of a contest of getting in "memes" and a groupthink circlejerk. That's why even something like a Hockey sub inevitably devolves into dumb political stuff like Twitter because it's kind of a lowest common denominator way to get people riled up and in a fervor, so a Post about a hockey player will probably have top comments that inevitably look like "I think Putin is bad and I support LGBT rights" which is like, "hey yeah, that's great and all, but also has nothing to do with this topic other than in the most indirect of all fashions"

 

[Faterson]

Reddit is far more social-media based.

There's nothing "social" about those media. I call them asocial sewers, not "social media" – let's call a spade a spade, please.

Lets you know what is hot/trending...

I couldn't care less about what's "hot and trending"! As someone from a tiny country, I know that Slovak hockey as such will never be "hot and trending".

it's about what's "right now" versus forums which are more archival based.

Sorry, but I disagree with calling organized discussion "archival-based". When I read about a particular topic that interests me, I simply wish to follow every post – not to miss any reply. There's nothing "archival" in the least about such a preference – it's simply a desire to discuss things in an organized manner, so as not to miss any important aspect of the topic being discussed.

Anyway, enough with this off-topic: let's get back to Michkov!

 

[Alaskanice]

I’m a Sharks fan and there are questions regarding Michkov that I’m hoping some here can help with.
Can Michkov leave early from the KHL in any way? Also, after his contract is done, is it possible he could sign another with the KHL?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Kaladin]

I don't think he'll drop very far... like maybe he goes 2 with no Russia concern and I think he likely goes 3rd, maybe 4th if it's a team is particularly Russia weary that ends up at 3. Can't really see any further than that. I think the only guy that doesn't like him as a prospect amongst the mainstream folks is the same guy that cackled like an idiot when the Devils took Shak a few years ago, and he ended up being a big piece for Meier.

It's not like someone is gonna be holding a major 2nd round steal or anything. Saying "wow, I can't believe this guy fell all the way to Number 4!" (especiallly since Bedard is very low bust probability and Fantilli/Carlsson have a really good chance to be very good NHL players as well) holds gigantic weight.

Maybe I’m in a bubble in the habs sub forum but the consensus there seems to be they wouldn’t pick him even at 7th spot.

It is driving me insane.

 

[Brodeur]

I’m a Sharks fan and there are questions regarding Michkov that I’m hoping some here can help with.
Can Michkov leave early from the KHL in any way? Also, after his contract is done, is it possible he could sign another with the KHL?
Thanks in advance.

It depends on the player contract. Vitali Kravtsov had the option of buying out the final year of his KHL deal (looks like he played out the next year in the KHL). It might be too expensive for Michkov to buy out three years though. It's been awhile since a player defected (trying to remember if there was a more recent case than Malkin in 2006).

Hypothetically it is possible that Michkov could sign a new KHL deal after the current one expires. The Devils have a prospect Arseni Gritsyuk and his KHL contract will expire in a couple weeks. New Jersey is likely offering him an ELC, but it might make more financial sense for Gritsyuk (not a surefire NHL player off the bat) to play one more year in the KHL instead of playing for less in the AHL.

 

[Alaskanice]

It depends on the player contract. Vitali Kravtsov had the option of buying out the final year of his KHL deal (looks like he played out the next year in the KHL). It might be too expensive for Michkov to buy out three years though. It's been awhile since a player defected (trying to remember if there was a more recent case than Malkin in 2006).

Hypothetically it is possible that Michkov could sign a new KHL deal after the current one expires. The Devils have a prospect Arseni Gritsyuk and his KHL contract will expire in a couple weeks. New Jersey is likely offering him an ELC, but it might make more financial sense for Gritsyuk (not a surefire NHL player off the bat) to play one more year in the KHL instead of playing for less in the AHL.

Thank you for your time and information.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I’m a Sharks fan and there are questions regarding Michkov that I’m hoping some here can help with.
Can Michkov leave early from the KHL in any way? Also, after his contract is done, is it possible he could sign another with the KHL?
Thanks in advance.

Can he leave early? Well he could try, but given there's no transfer agreement it's not likely... as Russia isn't exactly a free country.

Could he sign another deal after his current one is done? Certainly possible. A bit less likely if he is as good as advertised as his overall earning potential/global fame potential would be higher if he comes to the NHL, which is better sooner rather than later. Evegeny Kuznetsov is a guy that signed another KHL deal after his initial KHL deal in place from before his NHL Draft ended (and he was already really well regarded by that point), but it just meant the Capitals waited a bit longer than anticipated, as he ended up signing towards the end of the 2013-14 season after his team's KHL season ended. This was just before he turned 22.

Michkov's KHL contract runs through 2025-26. He will be 21 at the end of that season (turn 22 about two months into the 2026-27 season) so he'll likely want to sign in the NHL by then. The geopolitical uncertainty makes it a bit scarier, but still probably fairly low risk in that regard as we are still seeing Russians come over, the Fedotenko military service thing blocking him from the Flyers notwithstanding (so far that's a one-off, but we'll see on that going forward, I don't think anyone in North America really knows what went on behind the scenes with that one).

Russians can be a bit murkier in general since they're not "in the system" while over in the KHL and then if they come over and don't adapt to the different ice, team structure, etc. and get buried, they are prone to just go back to the KHL where they'll make more money. I think the right sort of support system and overall understanding of how they should fit in with the organization from top to bottom makes sense. No bigger waste than when a guy tore up the KHL for multiple years, he comes over a young-ish to mid-ish 20-something, the Coach (that may or may not be a Cold Warrior boomer) treats him like he's some random guy from the AHL because he doesn't know who he is, so why does he care what he did in the KHL, which he doesn't think is a good league anyways... so he has to "prove his worth" and then he puts him on the 4th line and benches him the first time he has a bad shift. So that guy goes back to Russia after like half a year and people say "HE COULDN'T HACK IT!"

 

[Alaskanice]

Can he leave early? Well he could try, but given there's no transfer agreement it's not likely... as Russia isn't exactly a free country.

Could he sign another deal after his current one is done? Certainly possible. A bit less likely if he is as good as advertised as his overall earning potential/global fame potential would be higher if he comes to the NHL, which is better sooner rather than later. Evegeny Kuznetsov is a guy that signed another KHL deal after his initial KHL deal in place from before his NHL Draft ended (and he was already really well regarded by that point), but it just meant the Capitals waited a bit longer than anticipated, as he ended up signing towards the end of the 2013-14 season after his team's KHL season ended. This was just before he turned 22.

Michkov's KHL contract runs through 2025-26. He will be 21 at the end of that season (turn 22 about two months into the 2026-27 season) so he'll likely want to sign in the NHL by then. The geopolitical uncertainty makes it a bit scarier, but still probably fairly low risk in that regard as we are still seeing Russians come over, the Fedotenko military service thing blocking him from the Flyers notwithstanding (so far that's a one-off, but we'll see on that going forward, I don't think anyone in North America really knows what went on behind the scenes with that one).

Russians can be a bit murkier in general since they're not "in the system" while over in the KHL and then if they come over and don't adapt to the different ice, team structure, etc. and get buried, they are prone to just go back to the KHL where they'll make more money. I think the right sort of support system and overall understanding of how they should fit in with the organization from top to bottom makes sense. No bigger waste than when a guy tore up the KHL for multiple years, he comes over a young-ish to mid-ish 20-something, the Coach (that may or may not be a Cold Warrior boomer) treats him like he's some random guy from the AHL because he doesn't know who he is, so why does he care what he did in the KHL, which he doesn't think is a good league anyways... so he has to "prove his worth" and then he puts him on the 4th line and benches him the first time he has a bad shift. So that guy goes back to Russia after like half a year and people say "HE COULDN'T HACK IT!"

Appreciate the deeper information.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Appreciate the deeper information.

apologies for the tangent rant there

 

[Alaskanice]

apologies for the tangent rant there

No apology needed.

 

[Kshahdoo]

2026-27 contract is 3 year ELC and 2027-28 contract is 2 year ELC for Michkov. He can choose the latter variant because of money...

 

[ClarkBolzano]

I like the different threads because it allows being able to easily find and read the discussion around different parts of their careers easier.

That’s why I haven‘t made a part 5 - not enough has happened in between this one and the last one to warrant another part. This thread is just people arguing Russia vs Canada, his fathers untimely passing and debating just how impressive his KHL statline was.

And i thought after 1000 Posts they start the next Part. Its the first time i See this Kind of behaviour deutscher Spitfire

 

[BB88]

2026-27 contract is 3 year ELC and 2027-28 contract is 2 year ELC for Michkov. He can choose the latter variant because of money...

Yeah because he’s going to make more money in the KHL…

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

Can he leave early? Well he could try, but given there's no transfer agreement it's not likely... as Russia isn't exactly a free country.

Could he sign another deal after his current one is done? Certainly possible. A bit less likely if he is as good as advertised as his overall earning potential/global fame potential would be higher if he comes to the NHL, which is better sooner rather than later. Evegeny Kuznetsov is a guy that signed another KHL deal after his initial KHL deal in place from before his NHL Draft ended (and he was already really well regarded by that point), but it just meant the Capitals waited a bit longer than anticipated, as he ended up signing towards the end of the 2013-14 season after his team's KHL season ended. This was just before he turned 22.

Michkov's KHL contract runs through 2025-26. He will be 21 at the end of that season (turn 22 about two months into the 2026-27 season) so he'll likely want to sign in the NHL by then. The geopolitical uncertainty makes it a bit scarier, but still probably fairly low risk in that regard as we are still seeing Russians come over, the Fedotenko military service thing blocking him from the Flyers notwithstanding (so far that's a one-off, but we'll see on that going forward, I don't think anyone in North America really knows what went on behind the scenes with that one).

Russians can be a bit murkier in general since they're not "in the system" while over in the KHL and then if they come over and don't adapt to the different ice, team structure, etc. and get buried, they are prone to just go back to the KHL where they'll make more money. I think the right sort of support system and overall understanding of how they should fit in with the organization from top to bottom makes sense. No bigger waste than when a guy tore up the KHL for multiple years, he comes over a young-ish to mid-ish 20-something, the Coach (that may or may not be a Cold Warrior boomer) treats him like he's some random guy from the AHL because he doesn't know who he is, so why does he care what he did in the KHL, which he doesn't think is a good league anyways... so he has to "prove his worth" and then he puts him on the 4th line and benches him the first time he has a bad shift. So that guy goes back to Russia after like half a year and people say "HE COULDN'T HACK IT!"

A player is more free in the KHL system than the NHL system.

A contract was signed in 2026 because Michkov wanted to play in the KHL until 2026.

What gives to the NHL the right to steal players from other leagues without respecting contracts ?

Sportingly, there is no interest in arriving in the NHL before the early twenties. Every year, there's a case of a top prospect arriving too early in the league. Sillinger, Kotkaniemi, Slafkovsky... Even Jack Hughes should have waited 2 more years.

Winning the KHL is a dream for a Russian player. It's better than playing dull seasons in the NHL with a long regular season without play-offs.

Before the banishment of the Russians, playing in the KHL also meant having the possibility of playing for your federation without constraint.

NHL is just a business. You don't even choose the team in which you play, you are not free to play for the Olympic Games or the World Championships.

Michkov didn't impose on the SKA's squad. Did n't win the KHL. Did n't become the best player in his league. I think for him it's a more exciting challenge than playing for a North American team that he didn't choose without big goals.

In 2026, he can aim for the Calder trophy, aim for personal high performance and maybe the playoffs.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Yeah because he’s going to make more money in the KHL…

There are A bonuses for rookies which are pretty big, but overall ELC money can be significantly less than a KHL contract.

 

[Albatros]

He'd almost certainly make more in Russia than in the NHL, if it's only about money he'll be staying there for another year instead of signing a 3-year ELC.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

He'd almost certainly make more in Russia than in the NHL, if it's only about money he'll be staying there for another year instead of signing a 3-year ELC.

No, he is losing financially. Because what he will earn in addition between 2023 and 2026, he will lose X10 between 2026 and 2029.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

No, he is losing financially. Because what he will earn in addition between 2023 and 2026, he will lose X10 between 2026 and 2029.

Did kaprizov lose out? Seems like he played it pretty well.

 

[Albatros]

No, he is losing financially. Because what he will earn in addition between 2023 and 2026, he will lose X10 between 2026 and 2029.

He has already signed until 2026 though, so the question is only whether he'll sign his NHL ELC 2026 to 2029 or 2027 to 2029. And 2026 to 2027 he'll get more in Russia.

 

[Brodeur]

There was probably a discussion earlier in the thread......but just to rehash, Michkov could follow the Kaprizov path and sign a 2 year ELC at 22. The NHL CBA requires teams to sign 18-21 year olds to 3 year ELCs and 22-23 year olds to 2 year ELCs. Because he's a late 2004 birthday, Michkov wouldn't count as 22 until calendar year 2027.

If Michkov signed ELC right after his current KHL deal expires:
2023-24: KHL
2024-25: KHL
2025-26: KHL, signs 3 year NHL ELC in spring 2026. First year gets burned immediately since he's no longer a teenager
2026-27: NHL
2027-28: NHL, RFA summer 2028

If Michkov signed a one year KHL extension then an ELC in spring 2027.
2023-24: KHL
2024-25: KHL
2025-26: KHL
2026-27: KHL, signs 2 year ELC in spring 2027. First year gets burned.
2027-28: NHL, RFA summer 2028

So that might be a dilemma for NHL teams. Michkov wouldn't necessarily delay his NHL RFA clock if he went back to Russia for an additional season.

 

[Zine]

Can he leave early? Well he could try, but given there's no transfer agreement it's not likely... as Russia isn't exactly a free country.

Could he sign another deal after his current one is done? Certainly possible. A bit less likely if he is as good as advertised as his overall earning potential/global fame potential would be higher if he comes to the NHL, which is better sooner rather than later. Evegeny Kuznetsov is a guy that signed another KHL deal after his initial KHL deal in place from before his NHL Draft ended (and he was already really well regarded by that point), but it just meant the Capitals waited a bit longer than anticipated, as he ended up signing towards the end of the 2013-14 season after his team's KHL season ended. This was just before he turned 22.

Michkov's KHL contract runs through 2025-26. He will be 21 at the end of that season (turn 22 about two months into the 2026-27 season) so he'll likely want to sign in the NHL by then. The geopolitical uncertainty makes it a bit scarier, but still probably fairly low risk in that regard as we are still seeing Russians come over, the Fedotenko military service thing blocking him from the Flyers notwithstanding (so far that's a one-off, but we'll see on that going forward, I don't think anyone in North America really knows what went on behind the scenes with that one).

Russians can be a bit murkier in general since they're not "in the system" while over in the KHL and then if they come over and don't adapt to the different ice, team structure, etc. and get buried, they are prone to just go back to the KHL where they'll make more money. I think the right sort of support system and overall understanding of how they should fit in with the organization from top to bottom makes sense. No bigger waste than when a guy tore up the KHL for multiple years, he comes over a young-ish to mid-ish 20-something, the Coach (that may or may not be a Cold Warrior boomer) treats him like he's some random guy from the AHL because he doesn't know who he is, so why does he care what he did in the KHL, which he doesn't think is a good league anyways... so he has to "prove his worth" and then he puts him on the 4th line and benches him the first time he has a bad shift. So that guy goes back to Russia after like half a year and people say "HE COULDN'T HACK IT!"

Here's the deal....

Michkov can go to North America any time he wants. Unlike the NHL, KHL bylaws allow players to buy-out their contracts.
But the buy-out amount is predicated on total earnings, not just salary. So the buy out amount would include any future expected bonuses he'd earn...... which could be significant.

It makes little financial sense to do this. Also, the NHL prohibits their teams from financially assisting players who buy-out contracts.

 

[Kshahdoo]

There was probably a discussion earlier in the thread......but just to rehash, Michkov could follow the Kaprizov path and sign a 2 year ELC at 22. The NHL CBA requires teams to sign 18-21 year olds to 3 year ELCs and 22-23 year olds to 2 year ELCs. Because he's a late 2004 birthday, Michkov wouldn't count as 22 until calendar year 2027.

If Michkov signed ELC right after his current KHL deal expires:
2023-24: KHL
2024-25: KHL
2025-26: KHL, signs 3 year NHL ELC in spring 2026. First year gets burned immediately since he's no longer a teenager
2026-27: NHL
2027-28: NHL, RFA summer 2028

If Michkov signed a one year KHL extension then an ELC in spring 2027.
2023-24: KHL
2024-25: KHL
2025-26: KHL
2026-27: KHL, signs 2 year ELC in spring 2027. First year gets burned.
2027-28: NHL, RFA summer 2028

So that might be a dilemma for NHL teams. Michkov wouldn't necessarily delay his NHL RFA clock if he went back to Russia for an additional season.

Yeah, but I think 2 years before RFA gives him better chance to earn bigger contract.

 

[Albatros]

And the Wild eventually paid the price with Kaprizov much because they got lucky with a guy they never expected to become a franchise player.

 

[WarriorofTime]

There was probably a discussion earlier in the thread......but just to rehash, Michkov could follow the Kaprizov path and sign a 2 year ELC at 22. The NHL CBA requires teams to sign 18-21 year olds to 3 year ELCs and 22-23 year olds to 2 year ELCs. Because he's a late 2004 birthday, Michkov wouldn't count as 22 until calendar year 2027.

Yeah, I think they define age as the age on September 15th, NOT the Junior Hockey January 1 start date