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

[Devonator]

KHL production only means something if you’re a Montreal fan and if it’s Demidov. “Generational“ btw.

I know it is early but I am predicting Michkov is going to be a franchise player and I would be willing to bet he will be better the Bedard.....that is no slight against Bedard, only that Michkov is going to be incredible....only injuries can derail this kid......the Flyers have a great piece to build around now.

 

[SaSaShi]

I feel like he's best with Frost and Foerster

I dont think theyve tried this yet...

Agree on Bedard's physical limitations. It's why I thought he may be better as a wing long term.

What do you think is Bedard's physical limitations??

He's a pretty good skater

Is it his size?

 

[Rebels57]

Ovechkin was 100% seen as a generational prospect. FLA tried to take him 3rd overall in 2003, the deepest draft of all time, using a birthday technicality.

Malkin was viewed as strong 1OA calibre prospect in his own right, but Ovechkin was seen as a tier above that.

The media wasn’t what it is today back then and there was no social media, so I get why you’d think that, especially if you were young, but you’re incorrect.

I'm 39. I dont recall Ovechkin being hyped as "generational," but to be fair I was in my late teens/early 20s at the time and doing more partying than prospect watching lol.

 

[wetcoast]

Well then either you're simply not watching or you don't comprehend what you're watching.

Michkov IQ is by far and away his biggest attribute. He does stuff no other player I've ever seen play the game do outside of Crosby

Look I'm done arguing this but let's suppose that you are right how do you explain his total lack of a defensive game and lack of tilting the ice 5 on 5 in any meaningful way then?

Or maybe you just haven't been watching hockey very long?

Right now he looks like a PP merchant like I suggested upthread.

I promise you, your definition of generational isn't normal.

Orr
Crosby
Ovechkin

At bare minimum need to be added

I agree with this but the "generational tag" gets thrown around way too easily and has lost all meaning.

 

[SaSaShi]

~7 minutes of highlights from Michkov's first 7 NHL games:

Also shared my thoughts here if anyone's interested: First Impressions: Matvei Michkov

After reading through this thread, I agree with the Matthew Tkachuk style comp (NZ link-up play from RW and quick-strike playmaking near the goal line). Whiskey's takes align pretty closely with mine. We can debate how much his speed will hold him back long-term, but there's really no denying the puck skills and IQ. Sees the ice like very few young players in the game.

I read the write up with this video you made, very accurate assessment.

He definitely needs power skating training/muscle building regimen to improve his top speed. As is, with no skating improvement, it is quite safe to say that he can still be an 80-90 pt player in his prime, but with just an uptick in his skating speed/explosiveness, those point totals will rise significantly.

Currently he is at 54th percentile top speed as your write up mentioned....basically average top speed. He needs to get it to 40th percentile (slightly above average top speed). The write up alluded to Kaprizov and Brayden Point's skating improvement, but the list is long for players who improved their skating from their rookie years

Draisatl, Mark Stone, Luc Robitaiile, Couturier, Brink, Horvat.

That's all Michkov needs really and it can be done. I just hope that flyers management puts priority in this to set him up with a dedicated program.

 

[majormajor]

What do you think is Bedard's physical limitations??

He's a pretty good skater

Is it his size?

Bedard is short (plays at elbow height and lacks reach), and is not fast enough to gain separation. Michkov has that problem and is even slower.

 

[Kshahdoo]

At least he can shoot...

 

[Vinh]

I read the write up with this video you made, very accurate assessment.

He definitely needs power skating training/muscle building regimen to improve his top speed. As is, with no skating improvement, it is quite safe to say that he can still be an 80-90 pt player in his prime, but with just an uptick in his skating speed/explosiveness, those point totals will rise significantly.

Currently he is at 54th percentile top speed as your write up mentioned....basically average top speed. He needs to get it to 40th percentile (slightly above average top speed). The write up alluded to Kaprizov and Brayden Point's skating improvement, but the list is long for players who improved their skating from their rookie years

Draisatl, Mark Stone, Luc Robitaiile, Couturier, Brink, Horvat.

That's all Michkov needs really and it can be done. I just hope that flyers management puts priority in this to set him up with a dedicated program.

Thanks for checking it out. I have to imagine either he and/or Philly's management will prioritize his skating over the summer. Assuming he gains a step, he should take his 5-on-5 offense to another level. We already know what he can do on the PP.

 

[Studz]

There are only 3 generational talents: Orr, Gretzky, and Lemieux. You can forget everyone else.

Now if you consider Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid Generational Talents, then that would bump the three above to god like talents as none of these players compare to the the first 3,

Continue.

 

[Studz]

~7 minutes of highlights from Michkov's first 7 NHL games:

Also shared my thoughts here if anyone's interested: First Impressions: Matvei Michkov

After reading through this thread, I agree with the Matthew Tkachuk style comp (NZ link-up play from RW and quick-strike playmaking near the goal line). Whiskey's takes align pretty closely with mine. We can debate how much his speed will hold him back long-term, but there's really no denying the puck skills and IQ. Sees the ice like very few young players in the game.

Great video, what a talent. He should have 10+ points watching those highlights. Also great write up.

 

[SaSaShi]

Thanks for checking it out. I have to imagine either he and/or Philly's management will prioritize his skating over the summer. Assuming he gains a step, he should take his 5-on-5 offense to another level. We already know what he can do on the PP.

Regarding his 5 on 5 work on offense. He leads the team in ES xGF/60 ( even strength expected goals for per 60 mins) for the flyers at 3.33 which is good already and also a net positive. His xGF/60 also confirms the eye test and the lack of ES production is more of a team issue rather than an individual one. (Thx graviteh video)

Compared to other rookies for example: Stankoven has 6 ES points. His ES xGF/60 is 2.82.

The difference is Dallas is a great team and Stankoven is playing with Hintz and Robertson and they have great dmen as well.

Plus, this all a small sample size so these underlying numbers/ stats can change any which way, but from the first 7 games at least, Michkov 5 on 5 offensive play has been good. Production has been bad. But, if he keeps up his 5 on 5 play, just a matter of time until the ES points start coming.

 

[SlobKnox]

Look I'm done arguing this but let's suppose that you are right how do you explain his total lack of a defensive game and lack of tilting the ice 5 on 5 in any meaningful way then?

Or maybe you just haven't been watching hockey very long?

Right now he looks like a PP merchant like I suggested upthread.

So making his point that you can’t comprehend what you are watching

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

There are only 3 generational talents: Orr, Gretzky, and Lemieux. You can forget everyone else.

Now if you consider Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid Generational Talents, then that would bump the three above to god like talents as none of these players compare to the the first 3,

Continue.

At the risk of being dragged into the abyss which has little to do with Matvei Michkov, pretty sure Gordie Howe and Jean Beliveau would fit the category.

Or did hockey not exist before the late 1960's?

And not including both McDavid and MacKinnon, let alone Crosby, is silly.

 

[pacehimself]

Look I'm done arguing this but let's suppose that you are right how do you explain his total lack of a defensive game and lack of tilting the ice 5 on 5 in any meaningful way then?

Or maybe you just haven't been watching hockey very long?

Right now he looks like a PP merchant like I suggested upthread.



I agree with this but the "generational tag" gets thrown around way too easily and has lost all meaning.

If you’ve actually been watching the games, you will see how many times his line mates are caught off guard by a pass heading there way from Michkov. The even strength points will come, it would help if he had competent line mates on a consistent basis. You are just reading the stat sheets to come to your conclusion.

There isn’t a “total lack of defensive game”. There have been a few hiccups from a 19 year old, but if anything he’s been surprisingly competent defensively considering the whole team is a complete disaster. +/- is a useless stat. The team looks lost from the goalie outward.

Michkov has been impressive even with the limitations the team has. The whole “generational” tag won’t be an actual debate for a few years. If he can finish at a point per game clip and continue to progress in the next few years then we can have that debate. All in all he is pretty much the flyers best player at 19 years old, hopefully they actually build a team around him unlike Giroux.

 

[keglu]

I'm not sensitive just because you think so. I think your takes are laughable, that's just all. You don't think Ovie is generational and therefor I won't mind anything you call me. But if I would be sensitive, what are you? The one who doesn't have the balls to answer another individual and then cry about it here? You call me sensitive and I call you what then? Stupid and a narcissist? If Ovie isn't generational then you aren't a human being. We can just create our own subjective lies as much as we all want. You seem to be the master of that.

I'm not offended. I just think it's plain stupid to not claim the possibly best goalscorer ever generational. If anything, it's delusional.

Regarding your list? What a joke. McDavid isn't better than Jagr imho. He also hasn't been near to reach Ovies titles and performances so far. Will he do that? Probably, who knows. I just do think it's so simple minded and pathetic to call McDavid generational and not Ovie. I mean McDavid haven't even won a Stanley with Draisatl yet. Kucherov has produced more these last two seasons? Hasn't Kucherov already won a Stanley as well? But what, McDavid is then generational and not Ovie.
What about McDavids linemate and still he isn't top 10 so far this year? Again, very generational... In his prime as well... Let me guess, just because Messi is the best ever in football that excludes Ronaldo from being a generational player? Thank you for the laugh and showing your simple way of reasoning.
You seem to be filled with this NA biased bullish*t and I'm calling you out and enjoying it.

For me it is more about Ovi not being generational level of a player post his first 5 years in NHL. In 2010s his PPG was similar to Tavares and Giroux and behind Stamkos and Kane.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Love being here just to watch a specific fan base absolutely seethe and try to cope with their own prospects, comedy gold lmao. Imagine letting this type of player slide to 7th, absolutely insane.