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

[TheKrebsCycle]

Caught the game this aft. Ouch, sorry for your loss.

lol swing and a miss . Drebin and Backfamous will be in shambles if he has a successful year .

 

[FlyguyOX]

He is a Kucherov regen. His ability to create offense is exceptional.

Yep, this always been who he reminds me of. No superior physical ability, just controls the game with magician playmaking

He got outplayed in a pre-season game by Jett Luchanko against AHLers.... not a good look.

Luchanko was awesome and if the team was competing would most likely make the squad as a bottom 6, but that takes nothing away from Michkov.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

lol swing and a miss . Drebin and Backfamous will be in shambles if he has a successful year .

Shocking that most people don’t have those trolls on ignore, let them talk to themselves. It’s Michkov jealousy though, they’re secret fanboys.

 

[Bottomshelf]

Loved his ability to slow it down to his pace, not that he’s slow at all but he was often in control of the tempo of the play, cerebral attack for sure. Kind of reminds me of Zetterburg

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

His playmaking is being severely slept on


I was just subtly razing ya.

All good my man hehe. I’m simply stoked for DR.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

The scary part about players like Michkov is that they can have mediocre games and still show up all over the score sheet. He has the ability to play that quiet game that makes dmen forget about him, then he gets the puck for two seconds and the puck is in your net.

Imagine this guy if he's able to improve his skating in the next few years.

And hopefully the nonsensical narrative that he's not an elite passer will soon be put to rest. He's a better passer than he is a shooter.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

The scary part about players like Michkov is that they can have mediocre games and still show up all over the score sheet. He has the ability to play that quiet game that makes dmen forget about him, then he gets the puck for two seconds and the puck is in your net.

Imagine this guy if he's able to improve his skating in the next few years.

And hopefully the nonsensical narrative that he's not an elite passer will soon be put to rest. He's a better passer than he is a shooter.

Good take, his passing is absurd, it gets masked by his wicket shot, I kinda had a feeling he’d win a few rockets before tbh, but he’s so good at passing that when he sees NHL talents burying his passes I’m not sure he’ll ever shoot enough to win a rocket. Maybe an odd year he guns for it though. It’s too early to tell though.

 

[Redpath]

Last year in the KHL he barely even produced with his shot. I have yet to see it on display like he's shown in his pre-draft tape.

It makes me question if he will be more of a playmaker at the higher level or if he has another elite offensive component to his game waiting to be unleashed.

 

[C0DITH]

Watching the game yesterday, the guy just is constantly creating chances. Most of it was helping others in scoring spots, but he really does play the game a few steps a head. If he can improve his shot over the years, and get a little faster, kid is a superstar no doubt. Also love that he isn't afraid to get into the corners. That high level of compete + desire to be the best will serve him very well. Him and Frost looked like Peanut Butter and Jam yesterday as well.

 

[Wats]

Rookie of the year for sure if he stays healthy.

 

[FlyguyOX]

The scary part about players like Michkov is that they can have mediocre games and still show up all over the score sheet. He has the ability to play that quiet game that makes dmen forget about him, then he gets the puck for two seconds and the puck is in your net.

Imagine this guy if he's able to improve his skating in the next few years.

And hopefully the nonsensical narrative that he's not an elite passer will soon be put to rest. He's a better passer than he is a shooter.

He had a moment in the prospect game against the rangers when he was flying through the neutral zone. I'm not concerned with the skating. I do think he'll have to adjust to how long the NHL season is, though (cardio)

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I’ve continuously stated Michkov will revolutionize the next generation of the Flyers. They will be one of the best NHL teams during his time with the team. You hope for 20-25 years, like Crosby and Ovechkin, but we’ll see.

He will win rookie of the year this year. I could see 1PPG with at least 30-35 goals, but we’ll see how Torts beats him into shape, and he might only have like 65-75. You never know how many games he’ll play.

Regardless, what I’m worried about is what the Flyers put around him. I look at their roster, and I’m very underwhelmed. They were supposed to be picking top 5 last year, and Torts whipped them into mediocrity. They were too good to acquire a top prospect, like Chicago did for Bedard.

They need to fire Torts. Briere needs to tell the owner to let him do his job and pick the coach. They need a top 5 pick for 2025. I’m a little worried for them that Michkov will be good enough after the one season that they won’t be capable anymore of finishing bottom 10. They just don’t have very much in the way of young talent. Michkov is the only player who remotely looks like a future NHL all-star. Maybe Drysdale if it goes ideal. The others aren’t it. They need more, and Michkov’s march to greatness will limit the chances they get to pick high. Fire Torts already.

 

[FlyguyOX]

I’ve continuously stated Michkov will revolutionize the next generation of the Flyers. They will be one of the best NHL teams during his time with the team. You hope for 20-25 years, like Crosby and Ovechkin, but we’ll see.

He will win rookie of the year this year. I could see 1PPG with at least 30-35 goals, but we’ll see how Torts beats him into shape, and he might only have like 65-75. You never know how many games he’ll play.

Regardless, what I’m worried about is what the Flyers put around him. I look at their roster, and I’m very underwhelmed. They were supposed to be picking top 5 last year, and Torts whipped them into mediocrity. They were too good to acquire a top prospect, like Chicago did for Bedard.

They need to fire Torts. Briere needs to tell the owner to let him do his job and pick the coach. They need a top 5 pick for 2025. I’m a little worried for them that Michkov will be good enough after the one season that they won’t be capable anymore of finishing bottom 10. They just don’t have very much in the way of young talent. Michkov is the only player who remotely looks like a future NHL all-star. Maybe Drysdale if it goes ideal. The others aren’t it. They need more, and Michkov’s march to greatness will limit the chances they get to pick high. Fire Torts already.

I think the flyers are pretty talented on the wings. Foerster, Tippett are each bonafide top 6 wings, TK is a top line wing. Center is the only concern, unless you want to say that the lack of high-end star level players to play along with is a concern, too.

I will say I have done an almost full 180 on Luchanko. He looks like a good all situations top 6 center.

Definitively no potential stars on D. I'm reluctant to label York and Sanheim true top pair on a contender, too. Bonk will be a good #4 D. Drysdale will probably be a sheltered #3 at best.

I'm not on board with firing torts. He's helped exponentially with the development of the young players. Isn't that what a coach is supposed to do with young players?? Or do you just let them toil in mediocrity with no development for 4-5 years and then flick a switch and be a contender?

 

[aqsw]

I'm still debating on whether Michkov or Celebrini will have more points this year. I think Michkov will be surrounded with better talent to help him produce, but I'm worried about Torts and what he might do.

Still, I like what I see of Michkov so far.

You're sleeping on Eklund. He's really good. Better than what MM has for linemates

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

You're sleeping on Eklund. He's really good. Better than what MM has for linemates

Celebrini and Michkov are comparable prospects, I just have a hard time offensively that Michkov won’t be superior, but it’s completely within the realm of possibility that Celebrini is more valuable, it’s razer thin. Love both players and I hope Celebrini has an amazing rookie season.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think the flyers are pretty talented on the wings. Foerster, Tippett are each bonafide top 6 wings, TK is a top line wing. Center is the only concern, unless you want to say that the lack of high-end star level players to play along with is a concern, too.

I will say I have done an almost full 180 on Luchanko. He looks like a good all situations top 6 center.

Definitively no potential stars on D. I'm reluctant to label York and Sanheim true top pair on a contender, too. Bonk will be a good #4 D. Drysdale will probably be a sheltered #3 at best.

I'm not on board with firing torts. He's helped exponentially with the development of the young players. Isn't that what a coach is supposed to do with young players?? Or do you just let them toil in mediocrity with no development for 4-5 years and then flick a switch and be a contender?

I mean, sure, those are technically pieces that can play in those spots on an NHL team, but other than Michkov and Torts extremely degrading yet moderately effective way inducing a competitive brand of hockey, I don’t see what is winning this team games. Michkov at a certain point will lift everyone up, but he needs some degree of help in terms of game winners. The Flyers need more. If not rebuilding through early draft picks, it might need to be trades or free agency or hitting big on a late pick.

I have some moderate hopes for Zavragin, but I don’t see much else when it comes to potential star power. And like sure, I don’t want to belittle some of those players who will turn into productive NHL’ers, but NHL All-stars? When you think of a rebuild, you usually need to build a core of at least 3-4 of those pieces before you can think about potentially becoming a Cup contender. After Michkov, I’m waiting on 2-4 right now, and it’s not clear to me those pieces exist within the organization.

I would personally fire Torts, but this might not be thread for this. I don’t think he’s the coach to conduct a rebuild. He’s had an effective NHL career, but yes you want to bottom out. Fielding a competitive team to get a few extra fans in the building or some alumni more excited about the team shouldn’t be part of the direction you choose to go in. Either you have the pieces to try to make a run at the cup or you should rebuild. The Flyers don’t. Michkov is a good start (and theoretically Drysdale or Gauthier is up the right alley of what to aim for), but they need a true rebuild. Torts will make this nearly impossible because he’s effective at making hockey teams competitive, even if not necessarily making them a contender. Like I said, I’m a little worried Michkov might speed up the rebuild too much and having Torts last year lost them at least one top 5 pick.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I mean, sure, those are technically pieces that can play in those spots on an NHL team, but other than Michkov and Torts extremely degrading yet moderately effective way inducing a competitive brand of hockey, I don’t see what is winning this team games. Michkov at a certain point will lift everyone up, but he needs some degree of help in terms of game winners. The Flyers need more. If not rebuilding through early draft picks, it might need to be trades or free agency or hitting big on a late pick.

I have some moderate hopes for Zavragin, but I don’t see much else when it comes to potential star power. And like sure, I don’t want to belittle some of those players who will turn into productive NHL’ers, but NHL All-stars? When you think of a rebuild, you usually need to build a core of at least 3-4 of those pieces before you can think about potentially becoming a Cup contender. After Michkov, I’m waiting on 2-4 right now, and it’s not clear to me those pieces exist within the organization.

I would personally fire Torts, but this might not be thread for this. I don’t think he’s the coach to conduct a rebuild. He’s had an effective NHL career, but yes you want to bottom out. Fielding a competitive team to get a few extra fans in the building or some alumni more excited about the team shouldn’t be part of the direction you choose to go in. Either you have the pieces to try to make a run at the cup or you should rebuild. The Flyers don’t. Michkov is a good start (and theoretically Drysdale or Gauthier is up the right alley of what to aim for), but they need a true rebuild. Torts will make this nearly impossible because he’s effective at making hockey teams competitive, even if not necessarily making them a contender. Like I said, I’m a little worried Michkov might speed up the rebuild too much and having Torts last year lost them at least one top 5 pick.

The flyers aren't rebuilding.

You might think they suck (we all do) but they aren't actively rebuilding......they are trying to compete every year , much to the chagrin of their poor fanbase.


That organization is ran by idiots , they will refuse to take a few step backs to take some forward. As a fan of a team that refused to actually properly rebuild for my entire existence on this planet I know what it looks like all too well.

I hope philly can at least finish bottom 5 even if its against their will , they need to get a C for Michkov

 

[kp61c]

made a couple of nice passes yeasterday and was dead tired in the second half of the game. which is strange considering he didn't play since february

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

made a couple of nice passes yeasterday and was dead tired in the second half of the game. which is strange considering he didn't play since february

Not playing in game action for 7 months can certainly lead to fatigue in your first games back, no matter how hard you train.

It's really hard to simulate in-game pace.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

You're sleeping on Eklund. He's really good. Better than what MM has for linemates

Eklund is a live sleeper for sure

 

[wickedwitch]

I’ve continuously stated Michkov will revolutionize the next generation of the Flyers. They will be one of the best NHL teams during his time with the team. You hope for 20-25 years, like Crosby and Ovechkin, but we’ll see.

He will win rookie of the year this year. I could see 1PPG with at least 30-35 goals, but we’ll see how Torts beats him into shape, and he might only have like 65-75. You never know how many games he’ll play.

Regardless, what I’m worried about is what the Flyers put around him. I look at their roster, and I’m very underwhelmed. They were supposed to be picking top 5 last year, and Torts whipped them into mediocrity. They were too good to acquire a top prospect, like Chicago did for Bedard.

They need to fire Torts. Briere needs to tell the owner to let him do his job and pick the coach. They need a top 5 pick for 2025. I’m a little worried for them that Michkov will be good enough after the one season that they won’t be capable anymore of finishing bottom 10. They just don’t have very much in the way of young talent. Michkov is the only player who remotely looks like a future NHL all-star. Maybe Drysdale if it goes ideal. The others aren’t it. They need more, and Michkov’s march to greatness will limit the chances they get to pick high. Fire Torts already.

Unless he's significantly better than Crosby or Ovechkin, both of whose teams finished bottom 5 in their first season, I don't see Michkov alone being enough to get them out of the bottom 5. It's the other players/coaching that might be too solid.

 

[FlyguyOX]

I mean, sure, those are technically pieces that can play in those spots on an NHL team, but other than Michkov and Torts extremely degrading yet moderately effective way inducing a competitive brand of hockey, I don’t see what is winning this team games. Michkov at a certain point will lift everyone up, but he needs some degree of help in terms of game winners. The Flyers need more. If not rebuilding through early draft picks, it might need to be trades or free agency or hitting big on a late pick.

I have some moderate hopes for Zavragin, but I don’t see much else when it comes to potential star power. And like sure, I don’t want to belittle some of those players who will turn into productive NHL’ers, but NHL All-stars? When you think of a rebuild, you usually need to build a core of at least 3-4 of those pieces before you can think about potentially becoming a Cup contender. After Michkov, I’m waiting on 2-4 right now, and it’s not clear to me those pieces exist within the organization.

I would personally fire Torts, but this might not be thread for this. I don’t think he’s the coach to conduct a rebuild. He’s had an effective NHL career, but yes you want to bottom out. Fielding a competitive team to get a few extra fans in the building or some alumni more excited about the team shouldn’t be part of the direction you choose to go in. Either you have the pieces to try to make a run at the cup or you should rebuild. The Flyers don’t. Michkov is a good start (and theoretically Drysdale or Gauthier is up the right alley of what to aim for), but they need a true rebuild. Torts will make this nearly impossible because he’s effective at making hockey teams competitive, even if not necessarily making them a contender. Like I said, I’m a little worried Michkov might speed up the rebuild too much and having Torts last year lost them at least one top 5 pick.

I definitely agree that they have to thread the needle for their rebuild to work out. Going to take some big trades and signings to put together a true contender. I agree that all-star potentials are hard to identify at the moment.

Committing to a bottom out sounds nice, but you could easily find yourself a Buffalo or ottawa who never climbs their way out of the intentional long term bottom-out. So it's not a guarantee that it's the way teams HAVE to build. So the alternative middle ground is find one of the best coaches who can coach your current young talent up, hope for some draft luck, and rely on the FO for shrewd trades/signings.

 

[Kshahdoo]

made a couple of nice passes yeasterday and was dead tired in the second half of the game. which is strange considering he didn't play since february

He made more than a couple of nice passes. Couple passes just led to goals, there were quite a few more of them, though...

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Unless he's significantly better than Crosby or Ovechkin, both of whose teams finished bottom 5 in their first season, I don't see Michkov alone being enough to get them out of the bottom 5. It's the other players/coaching that might be too solid.

I said after one season not during the first season. And the Flyers have a different structure. Torts hockey makes them more competitive than an ordinary rebuilding team. That’s good for some points in the standings, even if it’s not going to get you to the playoffs on its own. Combine that with what Michkov will probably be, and I see them after a year being in about the place that they finished last season. Michkov’s level might offset the fluky nature of last season for them that we saw fade badly down the stretch, but I don’t see them being that bad in the way a team like the Hawks will be.

 

[Rebels57]

Unless he's significantly better than Crosby or Ovechkin, both of whose teams finished bottom 5 in their first season, I don't see Michkov alone being enough to get them out of the bottom 5. It's the other players/coaching that might be too solid.

There is no chance in hell they finish Bottom 5, and this is coming from a Flyers fan that WANTS them to finish in the Bottom 5. They compete too hard and have decent depth. They'll probably sniff around a playoff spot again just like last year...and probably miss again. Unless their historically bad Powerplay improves (doubtful due to coaching). That's a major X factor.