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

[BB88]

He's just a Sweden hating troll.

But seriously, I don't understand why you are so convinced Michkov isn't on the same level as Fantilli and Carlsson from purely a hockey perspective. Almost every thread where someone claims they think Michkov is the 2nd best player in the class you come and debate it. Which is fine it's what the site is for you are right but it's just pretty astonishing how much I see you debating the topic of Michkov.

When I have personally watched Michkov in the KHL and especially in past international competition, he looks like arguablly the smartest and most skilled player in the entire draft. His puck skills and IQ are truly some of the best I have ever seen in a prospect, and his historical production matches the eye test. Sure there are concerns with his size, but there are concerns with Fantilli's IQ as well. I think Michkov has a very strong chance to become a legit game changing winger in the NHL, and I would take a Kucherov-esque winger over most 1C's.

His situation in Russia are a completely different topic of debate - but from an on-ice POV, he's still the 2nd best player in the draft IMO.

Because this is a really fun draft and I’ve been keeping eye for it a lot.
I talk a lot about all the top prospects from this draft.

Michkov has off the roof offensive skills& that’s why I’ve had him at 4 ahead of Benson/Smith.

But he is a really small winger with weak separation speed right now, that’s not going to allow you to be a difference maker in the NHL in the way hoped.
He has to get clearly better and stronger to be able to reach his ceiling.

KHL is the best place for his development the next 3 years and it’s possible he could improve his skating enough. Yet so far the lack of improvements isn’t ideal (skating) and should be noted.

Where as Carlsson is way ahead of him as a pro (impact) player today, he has the smarts, hands on a 6’3 frame and if Michkovs ceiling is Kucherov I see both Fantilli and Carsslon having around top5C potential& their overall 200ft impact is just much bigger than Michkovs.

& I wouldn’t trade any of the C’s in that range for any winger in todays game. Their impact on game is just that much bigger

So in short I just don’t see Michkov having ever as big of a overall impact on game as Fantilli/Carlsson.
It’s a much more difficult to build around all offense small winger than a franchise C with size

 

[NatusVincere]

It's the "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" effect. No tournament play, reduced exposure. Not something Michkov can control.

Nothing what Fantilli or Carlsson did lately or ever before would put them above Michkov. Michkov lacrossed the swedish senior team 16 years old, the team Carlsson is now making the first steps in. He had almost the same points in almost half the games in the KHL for the weakest team ever as Carlsson did in the SHL. Carlsson and Fantilli are big boys with skill and low iq. That’s all about it.

As for the hard for Bedard fans trying to downplay “The Michigan“ everywhere they can, Michkov is the best player of this Draft. Russians do not care if he goes 2nd, 3rd or 4th or in the last round. You can praise Carlsson, Fantilli or the Janitor as safer bets and ahead of Michkov as long as you want, that doesn't change the fact who the best player is.

 

[Sliptip]

Carlsson and Fantilli are big boys with skill and low iq. That’s all about it.

Tell me you have never seen Carlsson without telling me you have ever seen Carlsson. What an absolutely ridiculous take.
Some people really manage to make a kid with prodigious hockey talent their messiah and will grasp at straws to degrade anyone competing with their tenage "daddy". Jesus

 

[Kshahdoo]

Tell me you have never seen Carlsson without telling me you have ever seen Carlsson. What an absolutely ridiculous take.
Some people really manage to make a kid with prodigious hockey talent their messiah and will grasp at straws to degrade anyone competing with their tenage "daddy". Jesus

Low isn't the right word, right word is lower.

 

[BB88]

Nothing what Fantilli or Carlsson did lately or ever before would put them above Michkov. Michkov lacrossed the swedish senior team 16 years old, the team Carlsson is now making the first steps in. He had almost the same points in almost half the games in the KHL for the weakest team ever as Carlsson did in the SHL. Carlsson and Fantilli are big boys with skill and low iq. That’s all about it.

As for the hard for Bedard fans trying to downplay “The Michigan“ everywhere they can, Michkov is the best player of this Draft. Russians do not care if he goes 2nd, 3rd or 4th or in the last round. You can praise Carlsson, Fantilli or the Janitor as safer bets and ahead of Michkov as long as you want, that doesn't change the fact who the best player is.

You think Michkov is good enough for WC?

 

[Kshahdoo]

You think Michkov is good enough for WC?

His PPG for Sochi was 26-28 in the KHL amongst players who played 20 or more games. Or 16-18 if we take Russian players only. Is it good enough to get on the WHC roster? Hard to say, because there are usually quite a few NHLers on the team.

 

[Lavar Ball]

Nothing what Fantilli or Carlsson did lately or ever before would put them above Michkov. Michkov lacrossed the swedish senior team 16 years old, the team Carlsson is now making the first steps in. He had almost the same points in almost half the games in the KHL for the weakest team ever as Carlsson did in the SHL. Carlsson and Fantilli are big boys with skill and low iq. That’s all about it.

As for the hard for Bedard fans trying to downplay “The Michigan“ everywhere they can, Michkov is the best player of this Draft. Russians do not care if he goes 2nd, 3rd or 4th or in the last round. You can praise Carlsson, Fantilli or the Janitor as safer bets and ahead of Michkov as long as you want, that doesn't change the fact who the best player is.

I think Michkov is better, but the way you discount and talk down on incredible players like Fantilli and Carlsson just seems petty. They are amazing prospects, not just "big boys with skill and low IQ"

 

[Fantomas]

Nothing what Fantilli or Carlsson did lately or ever before would put them above Michkov. Michkov lacrossed the swedish senior team 16 years old, the team Carlsson is now making the first steps in. He had almost the same points in almost half the games in the KHL for the weakest team ever as Carlsson did in the SHL. Carlsson and Fantilli are big boys with skill and low iq. That’s all about it.

As for the hard for Bedard fans trying to downplay “The Michigan“ everywhere they can, Michkov is the best player of this Draft. Russians do not care if he goes 2nd, 3rd or 4th or in the last round. You can praise Carlsson, Fantilli or the Janitor as safer bets and ahead of Michkov as long as you want, that doesn't change the fact who the best player is.

I'm hoping he drops to the Caps. Ovy would take care of him and pass the torch.

 

[BB88]

His PPG for Sochi was 26-28 in the KHL amongst players who played 20 or more games. Or 16-18 if we take Russian players only. Is it good enough to get on the WHC roster? Hard to say, because there are usually quite a few NHLers on the team.

You know things aren’t just about points.

He lacks the speed& strenght to play at that level still, in a year it’s hopefully a very different conversation

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

He's the #2 player in this draft. But I keep getting this weird feeling that too many of these oldschool GMs are going to pass on him.

He shouldn't go past fourth, but I have this sick sense that he's going to fall to ~10th.

No way he is going past the Coyotes. They aim to be good when they are set to get their new arena in Tempe in 2026. Michkov's contract expires in 2026.


EDIT: And even if the Coyotes get Bedard, I could see Michkov going to the Ducks or the Sharks.

 

[wetcoast]

Yeah, and between that another level and Podkolzin's one there are a few levels more...

Podkolzin is still a use full player and might very well become a very good 2nd liner but it was a weird comparison to be sure.

Very few prospects have the skillset of Michov.

 

[nergish]

Podkolzin is still a use full player and might very well become a very good 2nd liner but it was a weird comparison to be sure.

Very few prospects have the skillset of Michov.

I wasn't actually comparing them, I said there was no comparison to be made. But Podz was still being discussed as a top-three pick around this time in that draft year.

His development hasn't gone the way we'd hoped, and in retrospect he was not a top-3 talent that year... but the fact remains, he fell because he was a Russian with a pre-existing contract.

Throw in the fact that there's now a politicized element with a war going on, and Michkov's lack of size... I just see him falling too. Which would be a heinous mistake imo.

 

[theslatcher]

I'm hoping he drops to the Caps. Ovy would take care of him and pass the torch.

Assuming Ovi doesn't retire when Michkov is finally able to come over, that is.

 

[wetcoast]

Assuming Ovi doesn't retire when Michkov is finally able to come over, that is.

The timeline really doesn't add up as Ovi will almost certainly be retired by the time Michov's current contract ends.

 

[Sweetpotato]

As for the hard for Bedard fans trying to downplay “The Michigan“ everywhere they can, Michkov is the best player of this Draft. Russians do not care if he goes 2nd, 3rd or 4th or in the last round. You can praise Carlsson, Fantilli or the Janitor as safer bets and ahead of Michkov as long as you want, that doesn't change the fact who the best player is.

I believe Michkov is the 2nd best player in the draft, he is better than the 2 centers in the 2-4 slots who I don't think will have the offense to translate to the NHL. But absolutely nothing tells me he's better than Bedard currently or in the future.

Young players are voodoo so I guess we shall see in the 2026-2027 season.

 

[BB88]

I believe Michkov is the 2nd best player in the draft, he is better than the 2 centers in the 2-4 slots who I don't think will have the offense to translate to the NHL. But absolutely nothing tells me he's better than Bedard currently or in the future.

Young players are voodoo so I guess we shall see in the 2026-2027 season.

What makes you suggest they don’t have the offense?

They both just had one of the best offensive seasons in their leagues yet don’t have the offensive upside?

 

[Kshahdoo]

You know things aren’t just about points.

He lacks the speed& strenght to play at that level still, in a year it’s hopefully a very different conversation

You overestimate speed and size in hockey and underestimate IQ, shot and elusiveness. NHL is actually full of big and fast players so kids like Fantilli and Karlsson won't have any advantage in their first a few seasons. While Michkov's ability to change direction in split seconds can be a problem even for NHL defenders.

 

[Baaaaaaaaaaaaah]

I still believe Michkov is the closest to Bedard. And that is no slight on Carlsson, Fantilli, Smith, etc. Tough call for GM's with his contract and geopolitics.

 

[kp61c]

michkov looked abysmal in the mhl this year. not sure about all these claims that he is better than fantili or carlsson. taking into account his small stature, nationality and contract with ska, it's a given that he will drop like a rock at the draft.

 

[Kshahdoo]

michkov looked abysmal in the mhl this year. not sure about all these claims that he is better than fantili or carlsson. taking into account his small stature, nationality and contract with ska, it's a given that he will drop like a rock at the draft.

He didn't look abysmal in the MHL. He scored 6 points in 2 games vs solid MHL team. It's just when he played vs VHL level competition, lack of chemistry and good enough linemates didn't let him show his best game. If he had linemates from Sochi I'm pretty sure they would have destroyed SKA-1946...

 

[kp61c]

He didn't look abysmal in the MHL. He scored 6 points in 2 games vs solid MHL team. It's just when he played vs VHL level competition, lack of chemistry and good enough linemates didn't let him show his best game. If he had linemates from Sochi I'm pretty sure they would have destroyed SKA-1946...

Nah, i don't buy your excuses. Having watched the series against SKA, i would take Demidov over Michkov if they were in the same draft.

 

[Hanji]

Nah, i don't buy your excuses. Having watched the series against SKA, i would take Demidov over Michkov if they were in the same draft.

It begs the question, how does someone who excels in the 2nd best league on the planet all of a sudden struggle in a junior league?
This screams lack of effort, not lack of talent. I suspect many players would do the same.

For example I can't imagine a first line NCAA guy giving a crap if he was sent to play in the USHL playoffs after the college season ended.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Nah, i don't buy your excuses. Having watched the series against SKA, i would take Demidov over Michkov if they were in the same draft.

Demidov is great, but he isn't Michkov. You will see the difference next season when Demidov starts his professional career. And again they aren't escuses. Chemistry means a lot, linemates mean a lot. Especially vs VHL level defense (the whole SKA-1946 top4 were VHLers). You need professional players and system to play vs professionals, Kapitan didn't have it.

 

[Eye of Ra]

No matter who is better, Michkov, Bedard or Fantelli, we can all agree all 3 are very good. There is good depth in this draft. But people who bring up Leo Carlsson makes me laugh. Leo has skills, but the league he plays in is not good, so hard to elevate how good he is. He should move to a better league next season, for exemple Czech league.

 

[kp61c]

Demidov is great, but he isn't Michkov. You will see the difference next season when Demidov starts his professional career. And again it's not excuses. Chemistry means a lot, linemates mean a lot. Especially vs VHL level defense (the whole SKA-1946 top4 were VHLers). You need professional players and system to play vs professionals, Kapitan didn't have it.

Let's agree to disagree then. I'm pretty sure Demidov will be a better player than Michkov.