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

[karltonian]

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

In retrospect no but it was pretty up in the air at that time as to what was going to happen with Russia on the sporting world stage, from both ends.

Without that context Michkov definitely gets drafted higher.

 

[deejb]

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.

Michkov had +- around 0 in awful Sochi team. So, even if he "often blew the zone" (he didn't), it worked. He made a mistake last game, but overall he's OK defensively.

	GP	+-	+- per game
Sochi 22-24	136	-198	-1.45588
Michkov 22-24	74	-5	-0.06757

for comparison

	GP	+-	+- per game
Chicago 23-24	82	-111	-1.35366
Bedard 23-24	68	-44	-0.64706

 

[SaSaShi]

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

I agree, all players in the 23 draft save Bedard don't have the ceiling and pedigree of Michkov, but the potential mistake for CLB, ANA and SJ is not as big as it could be for Montreal.

Doesn't help that Montreal was the cheerleader in pointing out flaws of Michkov via their russian scout.

Regarding Bedard/Michkov, I feel they're comparable but I still take Bedard. But would it surprise anyone here if in fact michkov outplays him and becomes the undisputed best player of that draft ? Hell no.

 

[dgibb10]

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

You don't need to be big to be an elite center.