RW Matvei Michkov - HC Sochi, KHL (2023 Draft) - PART 3
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Neva Lost
8+4 after 8 games in the VHL.
Today's game was his best game by far this season. He at last dominated the game, could easily have a couple of more points.
Today's game was his best game by far this season. He at last dominated the game, could easily have a couple of more points.
Something I’ve noticed with Michkov - he’s exceptionally good at shooting with the puck significantly in front of him. Like to get good power/accuracy, the vast majority of players will shoot with the puck more in-line with or even slightly behind their body, but Michkov shoots it great even when the puck is well in front of him. Makes his release very deceptive, and let’s him get off nice shots under tight checking like this (if he had to draw it back first, #16 probably interrupts the shot).
While pretty much every NHLer has a hard, accurate shot, only the elite goal scorers maintain that power and accuracy under tight checking, with almost no time/space. Michkov has that ability.
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Yeah, exactly, it's his signature shot, when I see it I know it's Michkov because I don't know anybody else who loves and can shoot like this.
blinkman360
Loyal Players Only
I think, as long as you’re confident that he’ll come over, you take him whenever you feel he’s BPA - even if that’s 2nd overall. 3 years is the equivalent of drafting a Canadian kid, letting him finish his CHL career and then giving him a full year of AHL time. Not really the end of the world. Obviously when you’re bad enough to draft a kid like that you want him playing right away, if for nothing else than to give the fans something to be excited about, but we’re still talking 21 years of age when he’s finally here. If he’s close to Bedard level, I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait.
NatusVincere
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- Nov 30, 2018
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“Close to Bedard Level”… It’s Connor who should wish to be close to Michkov Level…
It surprises me too. The guy beats all the records of Ovechkin, Kucherov, Kaprizov in Russia, but he is nothing more than "Close to Bedard Level". I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bedard was in Michkov's shadow in the NHL.
Fantomas
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- Aug 7, 2012
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Fantilli is making a very strong case this year and is a better bet to stay at centre than Bedard. Another month or two of this production and I can see mock drafts projecting him at #1.
Bedard/Michkov comes down to faith at this point. As I see it, Bedard has done nothing to separate himself in this draft. He’s producing big in a junior league, but that’s expected. So far the pro-Bedard argument has come down to the Russian factor and Michkov’s contract (which doesn’t make him a better prospect, but does greatly increase his chances of going first overall).
We’ve been robbed of a really exciting wjc matchup which could have settled some arguments.
Because of politics, Michkov won’t be drafted first or even possibly not second regardless if he’s the best player available
IMO politics are less of a concern than his contract. If he was coming to the NHL next year, he'd likely go #2, despite the political situation with Russia. Stiff competition from guys like Fantilli and Leo Carlsson, teams love big centres with franchise player upside, but I think he'd go #2.
However, him being signed for 3 more years in Russia is a big concern. It's a long time to wait, and there's no guarantee he'll come over even then - he could re-up again if they give him an amazing offer. While with Fantilli and Carlsson, there's no such waiting or risk. If you have Fantilli or Carlsson close to Michkov, would be a tough gamble to make.
I love people. There are more Russians in the league than almost ever but they still keep saying "there's no guarantee if he'll come over"...
Fantomas
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Politically we're certainly in unprecedented times, but I agree that it's very unlikely things will change and ultimately it'll be just a slightly longer wait for Michkov.
kp61c
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It is taken as given here that Bedard is in a tier of his own as a player, regardless of politics. That's a false assumption.
NatusVincere
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- Nov 30, 2018
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That’s such BS and you know it. Everyone comes over. Everyone… And Michkov will not be the exception playing his whole career in Russia. The one and only question will be who are the GMs who are stupid enough not to take the future best Player on this Planet an will look super ludicrous in 3 years.
Agent Zuuuub
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- Jan 2, 2015
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Yea there is no doubt Mickov will come. and when he comes you will be getting a developed star player just coming into his prime on an elc.
He won't even be getting into his prime, he'll be 21.
I have no inside knowledge, but the Blues reportedly lobbied hard. Why Konstantin Barulin Might Never Become a Blue
Patrik Barkov
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- Jun 25, 2016
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This summer there were two guys drafted out of Russia in the first round...
I’m not saying he never comes over, just that it’s likely 3 years until he comes over, and there’s a legit chance it’s more.
VHL all time best U19 goal scorers.
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Elite Prospects - VHL Stats All-time totals
All-time/historical regular season stats and leaders for VHL, including top goal scorers, most games played, PPG leaders and more.
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