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

[OKR]

If Bedard gained any more lean, athletic muscle, he'd be starting to sign up for body building competitions

Is it a impressive starting point for a 18 year old hockey player? Sure, but let’s not act like this is anywhere near his peak athletic physique. He is very disproportionate, as in he is very lower body heavy. That’s why he got outmuscled plenty of times last season, he’ll probably be closer to 200lbs in his prime once he adds upper body muscle and bit of fat to protect his frame from all the blows he’ll get.

 

[Dr Jablonski PhD]

Well, we'll see how many goals he scores this season due to shooting ability. Or rather how low his shooting percentage will be in grade A scoring chances farther than 15 ft away from the net

I want him to resolve this obviously. I'm a Flyers fan. There's probably a good likelihood that it does resolve. But it hasn't, yet. That's all I'm saying

 

[FlyguyOX]

View attachment 909312

Is it an impressive starting point for a 18 year old hockey player? Sure, but let’s not act like this is anywhere near his peak athletic physique. He is very disproportionate, as in he is very lower body heavy. That’s why he got outmuscled plenty of times last season, he’ll probably be closer to 200lbs in his prime once he adds upper body muscle and bit of fat to protect his frame from all the blows he’ll get.

To be fair this is how the vast majority of older nhl players look too

 

[OKR]

To be fair this is how the vast majority of older nhl players look too

It’s really not, and especially not at 5’10. They’re not much bigger in terms of mass, but very few players have pecs and lats of a teenager.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

They should trade him while he still has value

Yeah hopefully they can get a couple 2nds or a late 1st.

 

[NatusVincere]

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.

So he scored most of his goals like he did from the very first day?

U15 Michkov in the Russian Junior League:


U16 Michkov at the YOG:


U16/U17 Michkov in the MHL:


And even the video above at the U18:


Michkovs goals were almost always around the net and about timing, position, instinct/iq and hands. He never had a powerfull shot or a strong one timer (I remember one against Canada in a preseason game and maybe 1 or 2 in the KHL).

Again, imo he changed his game against men a little bit because he dont have a speed or physical advantage to skates through 4 or 5 oppenents anymore. And he don't uses his wrist shot from behind as much like here:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1364636394942062594

Or here:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1348569263678885889

Or the 1 or 2 goals in the MHL highlights. But I think that has more to do with his oppenents (and his age/power disadvantage) than anything else. As Michkov once said in an interview, he wouldn't describe himself as a pure goalscorer (at a time when all NA scouts did exactly that). He simply tries to find the best solution...

And the fact that he finds ways to produce till this day is not avoiding the issue but objectivly shows that maybe the issue is not as big as you trying to sell here.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Torts loves this kid already. You can tell by his comments

 

[Rebels57]

Well, we'll see how many goals he scores this season due to shooting ability. Or rather how low his shooting percentage will be in grade A scoring chances farther than 15 ft away from the net

I want him to resolve this obviously. I'm a Flyers fan. There's probably a good likelihood that it does resolve. But it hasn't, yet. That's all I'm saying

Do you not realize that the vast majority of goals in the NHL are scoring from below the top of the circles and that a prospect scoring a lot from there is a good sign that his scoring will translate? On the flip side, a player like Cutter Gauthier scored most of his NCAA goals from outside the tops of the circles. Not many goals are scored there in the NHL and he will need to start shooting closer to the net for his goal scoring to translate.

 

[SaSaShi]

Well, we'll see how many goals he scores this season due to shooting ability. Or rather how low his shooting percentage will be in grade A scoring chances farther than 15 ft away from the net

I want him to resolve this obviously. I'm a Flyers fan. There's probably a good likelihood that it does resolve. But it hasn't, yet. That's all I'm saying

I think you're getting a heavy case of prospect anxiety. I'm a flyers fan too and after the unrealized potentials of our previous THREE top draft picks JVR ( softie) and Lindros, Patrick ( head injuries) plus a 50 year Cup drought, the trauma might be setting in LOL. I can tell you you're not the only one.

Michkov is nowhere close to his ceiling (still lacks strength and his skating will improve). Look at Brink's improvement from last year in skating speed/power. Not only that, the flyers mentioned that Michkov was gassed out before his first preseason game, because Tort's preseason camp regiment was pretty rough on Michkov.

But from watching him in rookie camp/ preseason, his passing and vision are ELITE and much better than I thought. His passing should equal Giroux's at the very least and Hockey IQ is off the charts. You can see he just doesn't play the game, but he thinks the game and at such a high level.

He also has that Kobe Bryant gene of sports obsession which Tortorella already recognized. Take a deep breath and enjoy this kid's development.

 

[Rob Sense]

I think you're getting a heavy case of prospect anxiety. I'm a flyers fan too and after the unrealized potentials of our previous THREE top draft picks JVR ( softie) and Lindros, Patrick ( head injuries) plus a 50 year Cup drought, the trauma might be setting in LOL. I can tell you you're not the only one.

Michkov is nowhere close to his ceiling (still lacks strength and his skating will improve). Look at Brink's improvement from last year in skating speed/power. Not only that, the flyers mentioned that Michkov was gassed out before his first preseason game, because Tort's preseason camp regiment was pretty rough on Michkov.

But from watching him in rookie camp/ preseason, his passing and vision are ELITE and much better than I thought. His passing should equal Giroux's at the very least and Hockey IQ is off the charts. You can see he just doesn't play the game, but he thinks the game and at such a high level.

He also has that Kobe Bryant gene of sports obsession which Tortorella already recognized. Take a deep breath and enjoy this kid's development.

depending on your definition of top picks (assuming 7ish is your ceiling) you missed Pitkanen (#4), Provorov (#7) and possibly Couturier (#8). Lindros was not a Flyers draft pick.

 

[SaSaShi]

depending on your definition of top picks (assuming 7ish is your ceiling) you missed Pitkanen (#4), Provorov (#7) and possibly Couturier (#8). Lindros was not a Flyers draft pick.

Yes Lindros was not philly's pick, but doesn't reduce the disappointment of what ensued.

considering pitkanen and provorov, even more depressing.

Didnt include these 2 dmen and couturier because they weren't nearly as hyped up as Lindros or to a lesser degree Patrick.

Michkov is number 2 in terms of overall expectations after 88, so people are anxious to see if he hits full potential.

It also extends to other sports as well in Philadelphia.

Sixers: Iverson with million dollar skills with a 10 cent head. Barkley, jetted out of town. Embiid great regular seasons, always hurt in playoffs.

Eagles: Wentz knee injury, concussion, gone. Mcnabb, immature player, choke artist.

Phillies: Too many to count....

So Michkov turning out to be a cup winning HOF level player....would be the exception in Philly. But the luck would have to turn eventually. Hopefully it's with michkov.

 

[blueandgoldguy]

Yes Lindros was not philly's pick, but doesn't reduce the disappointment of what ensued.

considering pitkanen and provorov, even more depressing.

Didnt include these 2 dmen and couturier because they weren't nearly as hyped up as Lindros or to a lesser degree Patrick.

Michkov is number 2 in terms of overall expectations after 88, so people are anxious to see if he hits full potential.

It also extends to other sports as well in Philadelphia.

Sixers: Iverson with million dollar skills with a 10 cent head. Barkley, jetted out of town. Embiid great regular seasons, always hurt in playoffs.

Eagles: Wentz knee injury, concussion, gone. Mcnabb, immature player, choke artist.

Phillies: Too many to count....

So Michkov turning out to be a cup winning HOF level player....would be the exception in Philly. But the luck would have to turn eventually. Hopefully it's with michkov.

Sure there was a lot of disappointment and underachieving athletes and teams there, but on the other hand Philadelphia's Rocky Balboa far exceeded expectations. Beat Apollo Creed. Beat Clubber Lang. Beat the Russian Ivan Drago and nearly beat Mason Dixon when he was nearly 30 years past his prime. Everything balances out.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Sure there was a lot of disappointment and underachieving athletes and teams there, but on the other hand Philadelphia's Rocky Balboa far exceeded expectations. Beat Apollo Creed. Beat Clubber Lang. Beat the Russian Ivan Drago and nearly beat Mason Dixon when he was nearly 30 years past his prime. Everything balances out.

That split decision was robbery .

 

[ClarkBolzano]

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

Ylou are so Sure about what you said. You musst be god. Lets talk about wayne gretzky. I am Sure you think Le lacks passi g ability.

 

[ClarkBolzano]

But obviously He is in a new League now, the best of the World by far. Up to this point in his young career He met expectations. Its difficult now to say how good He will be in this League. Linke with all other prospects too. But one Thing i am Sure about. This kid is incredibly talented and He Has the will to become the best He can be and this Attitüde will help him succeed.

 

[kp61c]

He wasnt dominating the khl last year and at times looked lost on ice. I think we can do without these pompous statement of him being in the best league by far where he can really test himself.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

He wasnt dominating the khl last year and at times looked lost on ice. I think we can do without these pompous statement of him being in the best league by far where he can really test himself.

Guy put up literal historic numbers for an 18 and 19 year old in the KHL? He sure is lost isn’t he? Guy is pretty good for being lost on the ice at times, almost like no one has replicated it ever lol. The way this guy is being critiqued by certain people is hilarious. The lost guy puts up a goal in his first competition as a Flyer, then the invisible lost guy puts up 2 points with ease in his first game against NHL/AHL guys with no chemistry at all, continue to grasp at straws hahaha. Disaster level posting.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Guy put up literal historic numbers for an 18 and 19 year old in the KHL? He sure is lost isn’t he? Guy is pretty good for being lost on the ice at times, almost like no one has replicated it ever lol. The way this guy is being critiqued by certain people is hilarious. The lost guy puts up a goal in his first competition as a Flyer, then the invisible lost guy puts up 2 points with ease in his first game against NHL/AHL guys with no chemistry at all, continue to grasp at straws hahaha. Disaster level posting.

He's a known Michkov's hater. When Matvei has his first 100 point season, he'll say it's just luck and nothing more...

 

[C0DITH]

Michkov is going to be a beast. He has that compete in him. If Torts has a Bawnerr already just from camp, it says a lot.

 

[Dr Jablonski PhD]

Michkovs goals were almost always around the net and about timing, position, instinct/iq and hands. He never had a powerfull shot or a strong one timer (I remember one against Canada in a preseason game and maybe 1 or 2 in the KHL).

Again, imo he changed his game against men a little bit because he dont have a speed or physical advantage to skates through 4 or 5 oppenents anymore. And he don't uses his wrist shot from behind as much like here:

Or the 1 or 2 goals in the MHL highlights. But I think that has more to do with his oppenents (and his age/power disadvantage) than anything else. As Michkov once said in an interview, he wouldn't describe himself as a pure goalscorer (at a time when all NA scouts did exactly that). He simply tries to find the best solution...

And the fact that he finds ways to produce till this day is not avoiding the issue but objectivly shows that maybe the issue is not as big as you trying to sell here.

Yes, Michkov has scored quite a few goals on impressive shots in previous years. Though these are mostly before his draft year but still a couple of impressive shots in his draft year.

I'm more confused about why he lost confidence in his shot and where the power went. He had a harder shot at age 17 than he does now.

I know he has changed his playing style against pros, but when he finds himself in a situation where the correct thing to do is to shoot and score, he should be able to have the same power on his shot that he has before, but right now it seems he doesn't

 

[Dr Jablonski PhD]

Do you not realize that the vast majority of goals in the NHL are scoring from below the top of the circles and that a prospect scoring a lot from there is a good sign that his scoring will translate? On the flip side, a player like Cutter Gauthier scored most of his NCAA goals from outside the tops of the circles. Not many goals are scored there in the NHL and he will need to start shooting closer to the net for his goal scoring to translate.

Yeah I realize that, that's why I acknowledge that he's a star player

But .. at the same time, the elite players are usually ones that have the ability to net the extra 10 or 15 goals using their shooting ability from a bit further out. Michkov would be missing out on those goals

If that plays out, I can't see him being considerably more than a 25 + 55 guy

 

[Garl]

Guy put up literal historic numbers for an 18 and 19 year old in the KHL? He sure is lost isn’t he? Guy is pretty good for being lost on the ice at times, almost like no one has replicated it ever lol. The way this guy is being critiqued by certain people is hilarious. The lost guy puts up a goal in his first competition as a Flyer, then the invisible lost guy puts up 2 points with ease in his first game against NHL/AHL guys with no chemistry at all, continue to grasp at straws hahaha. Disaster level posting.

"Teh great historic seasons" have always been largerly a fabrication.
If Michkov dominated in KHL why was he playing on a farm team?

 

[Kshahdoo]

"Teh great historic seasons" have always been largerly a fabrication.
If Michkov dominated in KHL why was he playing on a farm team?

You should ask Habs fans why doesn't Demidov play as much as he deserves. It will answer your question about Michkov as well...

 

[Frank Drebin]

You should ask Habs fans why doesn't Demidov play as much as he deserves. It will answer your question about Michkov as well...

My only comment to the "historic season by player aged x years in the KHL" has been if young players are habitually underused in the KHL its not much of a barometer of anything. Perhaps Kaprizov was misused to a greater or lesser degree than Michkov was. Hard to tell without breaking it down by ice time, linemates, zone starts etc and even then thats not painting the whole picture.

And that is of course ignoring that different players develop at different rates through their 20s.

This isn't even a comment on Michkov either. I'd say the same thing if Demidov posted "historic" numbers as a teen.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

Yeah I realize that, that's why I acknowledge that he's a star player

But .. at the same time, the elite players are usually ones that have the ability to net the extra 10 or 15 goals using their shooting ability from a bit further out. Michkov would be missing out on those goals

If that plays out, I can't see him being considerably more than a 25 + 55 guy

And what about shit goaltending on any given night? Or net-front traffic? Or deflections? You don’t need an elite shot to score in the NHL. Mike Hoffman has a better shot than Jack Hughes, who’s the better goal scorer?

Same with Zibanejad over Kreider. Look where Kreider gets nearly all his goals — breakaway, deflection, and rebounds.


The key is getting open, not being noticed, and getting off shots before the defense can react, which Michkov mastered at 15, more so than Bedard. Ovechkin has a career shooting pct of 12.9 and his one-timer was the deadliest in the league for over a decade.

Michkov, elite shot or weak, is a natural goal scorer, end of story. He would have scored 70 in the CHL last year.