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

[Unger9]

I also recognize that Michkov is essentially still a child when it comes to his body and athleticism. He put on some weight yes, but now his explosiveness is f***ed. He used to be way more explosive and his release used to be better. I've never seen anything like it tbh. It's confusing

But, that means he has incredible growth yet to be done as an athlete. Unlike Michkov, Bedard is quite mature physically already, and much closer to his peak athletic form. If Bedard gained any more lean, athletic muscle, he'd be starting to sign up for body building competitions

 

[Redpath]

Have you watched this?

Comparing his tape last year to his U-18 tape. His lethal shot was barely used in Sochi last season.

Maybe it's evolving play style. Maybe it's him adjusting to better competition. Maybe his shot it just waiting to come out of the woodwork.

I want to see him rip it like this more.

 

[Fantomas]

Take a look at the goal Celebrini just scored yesterday. When's the last time Michkov did anything like that? It's not his thing, at all. He's almost entirely a playmaker, at least recently

Dude watches one game (aka "recently"), declares Michkov "almost entirely a playmaker."

I've watched essentially every second of every shift Michkov has played with Sochi. Last season, his two nicest goals scored from farther out were the one on Zach Fucale, where he had a great screen to work with. The shot wasn't a burner at all. It was accurate though.

And he was "entirely a playmaker" last season? lol.

 

[Sombastate]

He"ll be gone back to Russia in a year.

Consider more than the calorie count when you eat paint chips.

 

[Kshahdoo]

I've watched essentially every second of every shift Michkov has played with Sochi. Last season, his two nicest goals scored from farther out were the one on Zach Fucale, where he had a great screen to work with. The shot wasn't a burner at all. It was accurate though.

The other good one was the wide angle shot to the far side past the goalie's left arm, I forget which opponent it was

Those were nice shots, and without screens you need a cannon to score to modern goalies.

 

[Unger9]

Dude watches one game (aka "recently"), declares Michkov "almost entirely a playmaker."



And he was "entirely a playmaker" last season? lol.

See above a couple posts ago.. I have watched just about every second of every shift Michkov has played with Sochi. Yes, he was almost entirely a playmaker and a below the hash marks goal scorer last season. He scored pretty much 2 goals that were not in close to the net

I've watched everything there is available to watch. He's a star player. He has the potential to be more than that, but he has to regain/work on his shot, release, finishing ability, and explosiveness, which have somehow mysteriously regressed. I have no idea what to make of it. It's bizarre

 

[Unger9]

Those were nice shots, and without screens you need a cannon to score to modern goalies.

modern goalies get beaten clean all the time though

 

[ViD]

The problem with Michkov is that KHL production means shit. Russia sucks at developing NHL talent.

You could dominate the KHL at a young age and still not do shit in the NHL. I think part of it is the "lazy" Russian effect. Look at Kuzmenko. He's already turned into shit because he doesn't have the work ethic to succeed.

For every Kaprizov that comes from the KHL, there is 1000 Kuzmenkos, Kovalchuks, Shipachev. I honestly think there is a " pro-Russian" bias on this board and that's why this kid gets attention.

He"ll be gone back to Russia in a year.

One of the most embarrassing posts of the year. Congrats

 

[Rebels57]

The problem with Michkov is that KHL production means shit. Russia sucks at developing NHL talent.

You could dominate the KHL at a young age and still not do shit in the NHL. I think part of it is the "lazy" Russian effect. Look at Kuzmenko. He's already turned into shit because he doesn't have the work ethic to succeed.

For every Kaprizov that comes from the KHL, there is 1000 Kuzmenkos, Kovalchuks, Shipachev. I honestly think there is a " pro-Russian" bias on this board and that's why this kid gets attention.

He"ll be gone back to Russia in a year.

This is a contender for worst post of the year on this entire site.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

The problem with Michkov is that KHL production means shit. Russia sucks at developing NHL talent.

You could dominate the KHL at a young age and still not do shit in the NHL. I think part of it is the "lazy" Russian effect. Look at Kuzmenko. He's already turned into shit because he doesn't have the work ethic to succeed.

For every Kaprizov that comes from the KHL, there is 1000 Kuzmenkos, Kovalchuks, Shipachev. I honestly think there is a " pro-Russian" bias on this board and that's why this kid gets attention.

He"ll be gone back to Russia in a year.

Needed a good laugh today, thanks for this

 

[Leafshater67]

This is a contender for worst post of the year on this entire site.

Right? Lmao did he really use a 40 goal scorer or one of the best players of their generations to represent how bad Russians are? Lol he could have at least used Gusev

 

[Shlep]

I'm as big of a Michkov fan as anyone

Considering you later said

So essentially his IQ is carrying his lack of raw talent.

I don't think you know much about the player at all, let alone are as much of a fan as anyone.

 

[Unger9]

Considering you later said



I don't think you know much about the player at all, let alone are as much of a fan as anyone.

I guarantee you I've watched more Michkov than you lmfao.

He objectively lacks shooting talent, and sometimes even finishing talent in general.

Look, the same thing happens with every top prospect. People go insane when you say they lack something. Michkov does not have a great shot right now. He has shown one before .. but somehow, some way, it just fukin disappeared and I don't get it

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I guarantee you I've watched more Michkov than you lmfao.

He objectively lacks shooting talent, and sometimes even finishing talent in general.

Look, the same thing happens with every top prospect. People go insane when you say they lack something. Michkov does not have a great shot right now. He has shown one before .. but somehow, some way, it just fukin disappeared and I don't get it

Seems to be quite a lot you don’t “ get “ .

 

[Shlep]

I guarantee you I've watched more Michkov than you lmfao.

He objectively lacks shooting talent, and sometimes even finishing talent in general.

Look, the same thing happens with every top prospect. People go insane when you say they lack something. Michkov does not have a great shot right now. He has shown one before .. but somehow, some way, it just fukin disappeared and I don't get

You didn't say he lacks shooting talent in what I quoted though, you said he lacks raw talent. I don't agree with the first statement but that's fine, I don't mind nitpicking, the second one is such a broad statement about everything that he is that it's absurd.

 

[Unger9]

Look guys, if you're emotional about a prospect that's fine. It takes a lot of objectivity to be real about a prospect you're attached to

Mind you everything I am saying is through the lens that the consensus is he's a superstar. He's definitely lacking some things relative to most superstars

Weird that I'm the Flyers fan and being the objective one though

 

[ViD]

No Matvei = no goals for the Flyers

 

[NatusVincere]

I remember his first VHL game when he had over 10 SOG out of every possible position and almost all of them were easy saves for the goalie. He adapted immediately and understood that he couldn’t continue his junior playing style. That’s why he produces until today in every situation and on every level he played so far. Saying that Michkov was top 30 in goals scored last season with ~20 games less than almost everyone above him and was t-2 for most U20 goals in KHL history one goal behind Kaprizov who played his d+2 season. It takes a lot of imagination aka objectivity to interpret Michkovs greatest strength as a weakness. Only trying to be real here.

And just a sidenote, Connor Bedard, hyped as the future goal scoring superstar, wasn’t top 100 in goals scored last season and 88 in GPG. One place behind him Andrei Svechnikov another highly touted potential star goal scorer. Maybe it takes more than a great shot and shooting ability to be successful in the NHL.

 

[Fatass]

Look guys, if you're emotional about a prospect that's fine. It takes a lot of objectivity to be real about a prospect you're attached to

Mind you everything I am saying is through the lens that the consensus is he's a superstar. He's definitely lacking some things relative to most superstars

Weird that I'm the Flyers fan and being the objective one though

What is Michkov lacking exactly?

 

[Unger9]

Using the fact that he produced a lot last season is completely avoiding the issue. He scored essentially all but 2 of his goals from within the hash marks.

Last season his shot objectively struggled. He was a playmaker and a net vicinity goal scorer.

Saying shooting is Michkov's greatest strength is .. asinine for lack of a better word.

Objectively lacks shooting talent relative to other star prospects. It's quite obvious

What is Michkov lacking exactly?

Do you really think Michkov's shooting ability is on par with other prospects seen in the same light as him? Celebrini, Bedard, Fantilli .. Michkov's shot is almost a joke compared to these guys

Yes, he lacks some things compared to other prospects of the same consensus caliber, and makes up for it with insane IQ

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Using the fact that he produced a lot last season is completely avoiding the issue. He scored essentially all but 2 of his goals from within the hash marks.

Last season his shot objectively struggled. He was a playmaker and a net vicinity goal scorer.

Saying shooting is Michkov's greatest strength is .. asinine for lack of a better word.

Objectively lacks shooting talent relative to other star prospects. It's quite obvious


Do you really think Michkov's shooting ability is on par with other prospects seen in the same light as him? Celebrini, Bedard, Fantilli .. Michkov's shot is almost a joke compared to these guys

Yes, he lacks some things compared to other prospects of the same consensus caliber, and makes up for it with insane IQ

You have to be a troll, lmao, your takes are some of the worst I've seen on this board.

 

[Unger9]

You have to be a troll, lmao, your takes are some of the worst I've seen on this board.

No, I just watch closer than you do and think for myself instead of conforming to consensus like a sheep


If I may think as a free individual instead of being a sheep, consider this breakaway attempt by Michkov. This is a regular occurrence for him, this is just the most recent example I can remember

1) telegraphs the shot, no deception
2) shot velocity is poor / release is not that quick
3) shoots right into the glove lol

https://x.com/i/web/status/1837162884532756896

 

[FlyguyOX]

No, I just watch closer than you do and think for myself instead of conforming to consensus like a sheep


If I may think as a free individual instead of being a sheep, consider this breakaway attempt by Michkov. This is a regular occurrence for him, this is just the most recent example I can remember

1) telegraphs the shot, no deception
2) shot velocity is poor / release is not that quick
3) shoots right into the glove lol

https://x.com/i/web/status/1837162884532756896

I've seen star players have shootout attempts just as bad.

 

[Unger9]

I've seen star players have shootout attempts just as bad.

Yeah, but it's not just a one-off. If you look for it, the same things show up over and over.

I still think he's a star player of course. But, these things could hold him back from elite/superstar status.

And I've also said before that I think he changed his stick at some point, like potentially started using a stick that's too stiff for him to force himself to get stronger. In which case, his shot should resolve itself as he gets older

 

[Sombastate]

Because I'm not a sheep and think for myself, I've decided Michkov is better equipped to be the next James Bond villain and he should put an end to his less explosive skating, limp dick shots and lacking something career.

You know, because I've seen more of him than anyone else.