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

[Appleyard]

I don't think so. To start with he's short and compact, unlike Radulov. Seems very methodical and surgical in his execution. Radulov was/is more of a free spirit/virtuoso type of offensive player.

Winger Crosby in the OZ...

 

[FDBluth]

Winger Crosby in the OZ...

Agreed, definitely some similarities to Crosby

 

[pacehimself]

Very quietly point per game so far

Don’t get ahead of yourself, he didn’t record a point until his second professional game….

 

[Fatass]

Exactly, that's what i thought pre draft too.

Passing on Michkov because of the Russian factor, imo, was a big mistake. What other Russian superstar level player never came here to play? (Not including the Soviet era) I can’t remember any.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

That's why Torts and his teammates love him. Blocking shots, going to dirty areas, not a diva by any means


First NHL 3v3 I believe too, which is almost a different game tactics wise

3v3 is such a waste of time. will never be useful in the playoffs unless both teams get penalized enough at the same time. makes no sense why we even use it. doesnt even make the game more exciting. makes it more boring. all that room n nothing ever happens

 

[C0DITH]

I get it, he's your guy. But getting salty at legitimate criticism doesn't change the fact that he blew it.. He can play responsibly 98% of the time, but if the time he chooses to peel off is when Draisaitl is flying down the middle of the ice on his way to an OT winner, then he needs to be held responsible.

FYI, I've watched most of Philly's games against Calgary and Edmonton, and bits of the game against Vancouver. Considering that encompasses Michkov's entire career so far, your assertion couldn't be any more false. This is his first error that cost them a game, but again, we're only 3 games in. If you want to make the argument that the good outweighs the bad, I'll listen, but if you're going to pretend that there is no bad, well, keep your head in the sand if that's what you want to do - it's your life.

We get it, he made a mistake, first of many....just like every single NHL player......especially at 19.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The Habs made a mistake for sure, and they probably got the worst player in the top 10, but every team other than Chicago also made a mistake. I don’t know why it’s acceptable to shame them, but not all the other teams.

 

[FlyguyOX]

I get it, he's your guy. But getting salty at legitimate criticism doesn't change the fact that he blew it.. He can play responsibly 98% of the time, but if the time he chooses to peel off is when Draisaitl is flying down the middle of the ice on his way to an OT winner, then he needs to be held responsible.

FYI, I've watched most of Philly's games against Calgary and Edmonton, and bits of the game against Vancouver. Considering that encompasses Michkov's entire career so far, your assertion couldn't be any more false. This is his first error that cost them a game, but again, we're only 3 games in. If you want to make the argument that the good outweighs the bad, I'll listen, but if you're going to pretend that there is no bad, well, keep your head in the sand if that's what you want to do - it's your life.

You have no idea what the team's OT strategy is, if someone on the bench called for him to change, or any sort of context whatsoever. I have watched plenty of the games and there has hardly been ANY semblance of a defensive deficiency. In fact, his commitment to backchecking and winning board battles and blocking shots has stood out.

Seems his teammates love his defensive work too:

'After the first goal, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch challenged for goalie interference, delaying it from becoming official. When it was, Michkov gave an emphatic fist pump before he was mobbed on the bench by his teammates who were within range. Garnet Hathaway, seated next to Michkov, promptly circled him with a right arm and gave him a couple of slightly violent but loving shakes.

“You could see how excited he was,” Hathaway said. “It’s infectious too, right? And he brings it every day.”

In a room in which the Flyers value hard work above all else — they have to if they’re going to stay in games, particularly against teams like Edmonton — Michkov has fit right in.


Hathaway, Konecny and Tortorella all mentioned after the game that while they were impressed and pleased with Michkov’s pair of goals, they noticed he was out there playing hard in other areas of the ice, too. Michkov was credited with a pair of blocked shots, including one on Mattias Ekholm with 4:09 to go in the third period with the Flyers still clinging to a 3-2 lead before Evan Bouchard forced overtime.

“His skill is what is going to lead him, plus his compete,” Hathaway said. “It’s nice to see him rewarded. … Are you getting chances, are you creating, and are you responsible in your own zone? I think he’s checking all those boxes.”

Said Tortorella: “He’s a dynamic player. … He’s out there blocking shots, also. Doing all the other stuff that creates that team camaraderie, that team concept. So, that’s really important.”'

Winger Crosby in the OZ...

Always been my comp for his playstyle and scoring style too

 

[ViD]

The Habs made a mistake for sure, and they probably got the worst player in the top 10, but every team other than Chicago also made a mistake. I don’t know why it’s acceptable to shame them, but not all the other teams.

I guess because the top 4 went with safe center options and are kinda justified and Arizona was just a mess

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I guess because the top 4 went with safe center options and are kinda justified and Arizona was just a mess

The margins are thin in this league. Michkov vs. some good player who isn’t as good could be the difference between making the playoffs or not or winning the Cup or not.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

The margins are thin in this league. Michkov vs. some good player who isn’t as good could be the difference between making the playoffs or not or winning the Cup or not.

Nonsense , you need plenty of players to win cups , including big centers , Is Panarin helping the rangers win the cup single handedly even if he scores 120 regular season points?

I'm a big Michkov fan but poopooing the 2 best centers in the draft isin't the way to get your point across. It takes a village , not just one offensive dynamo

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Nonsense , you need plenty of players to win cups , including big centers , Is Panarin helping the rangers win the cup single handedly even if he scores 120 regular season points?

I'm a big Michkov fan but poopooing the 2 best centers in the draft isin't the way to get your point across. It takes a village , not just one offensive dynamo

Panarin being a low-end second line winger in the playoffs as opposed to an elite first line winger in the regular season is the difference between winning that extra 6 games that has alluded the team.

 

[JIMVINNY]

You have no idea what the team's OT strategy is, if someone on the bench called for him to change, or any sort of context whatsoever. I have watched plenty of the games and there has hardly been ANY semblance of a defensive deficiency. In fact, his commitment to backchecking and winning board battles and blocking shots has stood out.

.....

Always been my comp for his playstyle and scoring style too

Dude he peeled off while the Oilers had a 2 on 1 down low, with the 3rd player coming in right behind him. He didn't head back to the bench, he was clearly hoping to go the other way with the puck. You're so blinded by your infatuation with him that you refuse to admit there is even the possibility that he messed up.

I'm not saying he's always a defensive liability, or even that he's often a liability. I'm just saying that this type of play is exactly what he's been criticized for in the past, and a cutesy editorial about "the feels" on the bench is not going to make up for a mistake that directly led to a loss.

 

[Rebels57]

Winger Crosby in the OZ...

He does definitely have some Crosby-traits. In the ozone, he's often like a highly-skilled grinder with elite IQ.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Peeling off towards the benches while the play was still alive is certainly a choice. He was in front of Draisaitl the whole way back, would have been in perfect position to prevent the winning goal. I've heard a lot about how his reputation for not caring about the defensive zone is totally exaggerated, and then he goes and does this... Seems like his play away from the puck is exactly as advertised, and explains why so many teams let him slide. He's going to put up points, no question. But can he stop being lazy at the most inopportune times? We'll see.

So does Bedard suck because he was -50 and doesn’t play any defense? I’m confused, please fill me in, you sound like you don’t watch him play. Lol

 

[JIMVINNY]

So does Bedard suck because he was -50 and doesn’t play any defense? I’m confused, please fill me in, you sound like you don’t watch him play. Lol

My mistake, I wasn't aware that Michkov is immune to criticism....Do I need to start all my posts here with a gripe about Bedard first?

Look, my daughter and I spent last night watching Bedard on one screen and Michkov on the other. She's more interested in Bedard because her boyfriend is a big fan, but I was watching Michkov, and I thought he acquitted himself quite nicely for the bulk of the game. But as he did so often in Sochi, he blew the zone looking for a breakaway pass that never came, because it was in the back of his net, scored by the guy he should have been checking. It was a bad play, he's still got things to learn.

 

[HabbyGuy]

LOL, anyone check in on the Habs board? Probably a funeral.

Nah, we're good, appreciate the concern though.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

My mistake, I wasn't aware that Michkov is immune to criticism....Do I need to start all my posts here with a gripe about Bedard first?

Look, my daughter and I spent last night watching Bedard on one screen and Michkov on the other. She's more interested in Bedard because her boyfriend is a big fan, but I was watching Michkov, and I thought he acquitted himself quite nicely for the bulk of the game. But as he did so often in Sochi, he blew the zone looking for a breakaway pass that never came, because it was in the back of his net, scored by the guy he should have been checking. It was a bad play, he's still got things to learn.

Of course he does, all teenagers have a lot to learn in the NHL, but he’s been fine defensively for the most part, he made a mistake for sure. One of his more impressive abilities is how he adapts to his competition and figures out how to dominate, I’m sure his defense will improve.

 

[Steve Kournianos]

LOL Michkov outshines McDavid and people are bringing up a winger’s defense in a 3-on-3 overtime sequence.

Nobody from Philly should give a shit about Michkov’s defense. He will fix the worst power play in franchise history by himself.

Marner made a dumb decision in coverage that literally cost his team a playoff series and that dude gets Selke votes every year.

This thread got jokes.

 

[Fantomas]

Can't wait for Jimvinny to tell us more about his daughter, her favorite colour and so forth. We're all dying to know.

 

[Devonator]

The Habs made a mistake for sure, and they probably got the worst player in the top 10, but every team other than Chicago also made a mistake. I don’t know why it’s acceptable to shame them, but not all the other teams.

I don't get this either.....5 teams passed on Michkov.....they are all equally guilty of poor drafting....

Nah, we're good, appreciate the concern though.

I don't know....a lot of your posters last night were pretty upset after Michkovs 2 goal game....and this is only the beginning....one thing I like about the Habs board is the general honesty.....you guys are to passionate about Hockey to hide your true feelings.....granted this happens to every sports team....as a Flyer fan I am still mad about us passing on Caulfield......

 

[SaSaShi]

I don't get this either.....5 teams passed on Michkov.....they are all equally guilty of poor drafting....

You can understand the 4 of the 5 teams who passed on michkov. CLB ,SJ and ANA wanted centers and felt that fantilli/carlsson/smith were comparable to michkov without the russian factor. From

Arizona knew Michkov didn't wanna play for them.

Montreal is the big question mark bc Reinbacher was a reach and the talent level and ceiling difference between the 2 is significant. Montreal also haven't had a potential MVP forward type of player since forever.

Aldo, Michkov would have gladly went to Montreal, because he prioritized hockey cities, none bigger than MTL.

Demidov is gonna save Hughes from the embarassment of this mistake. But imagine having BOTH. This is what Briere was attempting at last year's draft trying to trade for pick no 4.

Demidov-Michkov combo would have been LETHAL.

 

[ViD]

You can understand the 4 of the 5 teams who passed on michkov. CLB ,SJ and ANA wanted centers and felt that fantilli/carlsson/smith were comparable to michkov without the russian factor. From

Arizona knew Michkov didn't wanna play for them.

Montreal is the big question mark bc Reinbacher was a reach and the talent level and ceiling difference between the 2 is significant. Montreal also haven't had a potential MVP forward type of player since forever.

Aldo, Michkov would have gladly went to Montreal, because he prioritized hockey cities, none bigger than MTL.

Demidov is gonna save Hughes from the embarassment of this mistake. But imagine having BOTH. This is what Briere was attempting at last year's draft trying to trade for pick no 4.

Demidov-Michkov combo would have been LETHAL.

Will Smith over Michkov was an equally dumb pick as he’s not more skilled and he’s not a big center

 

[karltonian]

Kinda feel like people are forgetting the context of what was going on with Russia when Michkov was drafted.

 

[ViD]

Kinda feel like people are forgetting the context of what was going on with Russia when Michkov was drafted.

I mean, other than delayed Fedotov arrival, did the political situation affect any of the drafted players at all ?