RW Matvei Michkov - HC Sochi, KHL (2023 Draft) - PART 3

[Kshahdoo]

While Bedard is putting unreal numbers against the most talented players in the world, Michkov get stucked in the farmers league and has poor numbers.

THE DIFFERENCE.

Michkov did the same in the VHL. As to KHL... Well, if Bedard played for Austria I doubt he would have scored a lot of points vs Canada or other top junior teams...

 

[Cahokia]

Because you all have no objectivity at all.. anyone who disagrees with you is just a part of some western conspiracy in your eyes and it's kind of pathetic. You seem upset buddy, take your own advice

??? Who said this?

but to answer your original question, the simple answer is that Michkov has better numbers as a prospect than any Russian prospect not named Ovechkin. Better than Panarin, Kucherov, Kaprizov, etc.

I would also say that people put way too much stock into WJC performance. It's dishonest to say that "Bedard only lit up Austria" when he in-fact lit up everyone, but players can always get amazing stats in small sample sizes. Jesse Puljujarvi had 50% more points in the WJC in his draft year than McDavid did his draft year but Puljujarvi was never close to him at all as a prospect.

 

[Daximus]

??? Who said this?

but to answer your original question, the simple answer is that Michkov has better numbers as a prospect than any Russian prospect not named Ovechkin. Better than Panarin, Kucherov, Kaprizov, etc.

I would also say that people put way too much stock into WJC performance. It's dishonest to say that "Bedard only lit up Austria" when he in-fact lit up everyone, but players can always get amazing stats in small sample sizes. Jesse Puljujarvi had 50% more points in the WJC in his draft year than McDavid did his draft year but Puljujarvi was never close to him at all as a prospect.

Its more so the fact that hes having perhaps the 2nd best u18 season in the WHL since the 80s when scoring on average was much higher than it is now. On top of lighting up the WJC. Sure if he was just lighting up the WJC people would be pumping the breaks a little bit but there's more going on than just that.

 

[wetcoast]

Michkov did the same in the VHL. As to KHL... Well, if Bedard played for Austria I doubt he would have scored a lot of points vs Canada or other top junior teams...

I enjoy reading your posts 99% of the time then you post something like this.

 

[ViD]

While Bedard is putting unreal numbers against the most talented players in the world, Michkov get stucked in the farmers league and has poor numbers.

THE DIFFERENCE.

Surely, people in Slovakia are smarter than this ?

You do realize Michkov doesn’t play against Austrian and German teenagers ? Or any teenagers and amateurs to begin with ?

As for the farmers league.. Are you talking about KHL? The farmers league for which Slovan couldn’t find enough money ? Yikes

 

[Kshahdoo]

I enjoy reading your posts 99% of the time then you post something like this.

I don't know why are you so upset. It's pretty good analogy. Sochi is terrible and clearly not a KHL level team, you can't expect a 18 year old kid carrying the team this bad, He still has already scored 2 goals in 5 games, more than anybody on the team in those 5 games.

 

[canuckking1]

While Bedard is putting unreal numbers against the most talented players in the world, Michkov get stucked in the farmers league and has poor numbers.

THE DIFFERENCE.

The KHL is the second best league in the world. You're embarrassing yourself. The worse team in the KHL would still run laps around these WJC teams filled with players under 20.

 

[ClarkBolzano]

Bedard was significantly more impressive the last time the two faced off.

He's a tier above Michkov at this point, at least.

Yes, OK. I understand the Hype but this is simply Not true. You mean at the U 18s? He is a Tier above Michkov at this Point? Because He dominantes the U 20? You simply cant compare now. Its a Matter of fact.

 

[stastny12]

Surely, people in Slovakia are smarter than this ?

You do realize Michkov doesn’t play against Austrian and German teenagers ? Or any teenagers and amateurs to begin with ?

As for the farmers league.. Are you talking about KHL? The farmers league for which Slovan couldn’t find enough money ? Yikes

Michkov played majority of his games in VHL. Quality of the league is questionable. In the league of Putin´s propaganda machine, he has 2 points in 8 games. Sorry that I´m not impressed. From the player who you consider to be better than generational talent Bedard, I definitely expect more. Pretty sure about Bedard doing better there. And why are you still bringing Austria/Germany into the debate? If you haven´t noticed yet, Canadian managed to have multiple points games against Sweden (4 pts), Slovakia (3 pts) or USA (2 pts). He even scored against arguably best goaltender on the tournament Suchanek. You gotta admit his showing is something to remember.

 

[Anahome]

??? Who said this?

but to answer your original question, the simple answer is that Michkov has better numbers as a prospect than any Russian prospect not named Ovechkin. Better than Panarin, Kucherov, Kaprizov, etc.

I would also say that people put way too much stock into WJC performance. It's dishonest to say that "Bedard only lit up Austria" when he in-fact lit up everyone, but players can always get amazing stats in small sample sizes. Jesse Puljujarvi had 50% more points in the WJC in his draft year than McDavid did his draft year but Puljujarvi was never close to him at all as a prospect.

Bedard didn't lit up everyone. Canada lost to Czechia. 2:5, and barely won Slovakia.. It's dishonest to not recognize other teams achievements.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Michkov played majority of his games in VHL. Quality of the league is questionable. In the league of Putin´s propaganda machine, he has 2 points in 8 games. Sorry that I´m not impressed. From the player who you consider to be better than generational talent Bedard, I definitely expect more. Pretty sure about Bedard doing better there. And why are you still bringing Austria/Germany into the debate? If you haven´t noticed yet, Canadian managed to have multiple points games against Sweden (4 pts), Slovakia (3 pts) or USA (2 pts). He even scored against arguably best goaltender on the tournament Suchanek. You gotta admit his showing is something to remember.

Average TOI during the 3 games with SKA - 3:55 minutes

So it's effectively 2 goals in 5 games with the worst team (by very, very, very far) in the league. Doubt Bedard would be doing much better (if any at all)

 

[Zine]

Michkov played majority of his games in VHL. Quality of the league is questionable. In the league of Putin´s propaganda machine, he has 2 points in 8 games. Sorry that I´m not impressed. From the player who you consider to be better than generational talent Bedard, I definitely expect more. Pretty sure about Bedard doing better there. And why are you still bringing Austria/Germany into the debate? If you haven´t noticed yet, Canadian managed to have multiple points games against Sweden (4 pts), Slovakia (3 pts) or USA (2 pts). He even scored against arguably best goaltender on the tournament Suchanek. You gotta admit his showing is something to remember.

Bedard is torching the U20 at an insane level, but the U20 is garbage relative to the KHL; and the WHL isnt on the same planet.

Meanwhile Michkov is facing the 2nd best competition in hockey all on his own in Sochi. Like no help; literally and figuratively.

You cannot compare Bedard to Michkov statistically. Their situations are worlds apart.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Michkov played majority of his games in VHL. Quality of the league is questionable. In the league of Putin´s propaganda machine, he has 2 points in 8 games. Sorry that I´m not impressed. From the player who you consider to be better than generational talent Bedard, I definitely expect more. Pretty sure about Bedard doing better there. And why are you still bringing Austria/Germany into the debate? If you haven´t noticed yet, Canadian managed to have multiple points games against Sweden (4 pts), Slovakia (3 pts) or USA (2 pts). He even scored against arguably best goaltender on the tournament Suchanek. You gotta admit his showing is something to remember.

Buchelnikov scored 9 points in 3 MHL games and he's just 2 points above PPG in VHL. Mikhail Gulyayev has scored 16 points in 10 MHL games and 4 points in 10 VHL games. Semyon Demidov scored 34 points in 20 MHL games and one point in 3 VHL games. And teams of MHLers regularly beat CHLers in their Canada tours, won U17 championships and Hlinka Gretzki.

I mean VHL is head and shoulders above junior leagues so scoring 10 goals in 12 games there for 17 year old kid (Michkov is 18 for less than a month) is really astonishing achievement.

As to the KHL Michkov actually played 5 games, in other 3 games he played 3-4 minutes/game. That's why he was loaned to Sochi, to get more TOI. And he now gets a lot of TOI, it's just his team is a total dumpster fire.

 

[NatusVincere]

The last russian generational export had something arround 20 points in his draft year. He is now climbing the NHL mount rushmore higher and higher, while his counterpart with fantasy stats in junior leagues will not be talked about in 10 years.

Bedard is having 2.3 in the WHL. What numbers people do expect him to have in a league against men? Austria and Germany dont play in russian leagues for generational boosts.

 

[olgerd]

All-time top scorer Alex Ovechkin scored 13 goals in 53 games in his draft year. One of the best players of the last 20 years Malkin scored 3 goals in 34 games. Kucherov didn't score a single goal in 9 games. Kaprizov - 4 in 31.
Michkov scored 2 goals in his first 5 games for Sochi. He has about 23 more games to go. To finish the season at the level (PPG) of the best scorer in the history of this sport, he must score 5 more goals in 23 games.

 

[Kshahdoo]

All-time top scorer Alex Ovechkin scored 13 goals in 53 games in his draft year. One of the best players of the last 20 years Malkin scored 3 goals in 34 games. Kucherov didn't score a single goal in 9 games. Kaprizov - 4 in 31.
Michkov scored 2 goals in his first 5 games for Sochi. He has about 23 more games to go. To finish the season at the level (PPG) of the best scorer in the history of this sport, he must score 5 more goals in 23 games.

Yeah, and out of all of them Kaprizov only played for really bad team. But even then that team wasn't as bad as Sochi right now.

 

[pelderhostiga]

I haven't watched much Michkov and he might be a great prospect, but some of the arguments here are pretty silly and bonkers.

For starters, I can't even say if KHL is the undisputed second best league in the world anymore this season now that most of the foreign talent has bolted. During the past decade approximately 25% of the players have been foreigners while this season the number has gone down to 10%, not to mention all the foreign teams and coaches quitting. This has undeniably affected the level of play in the league.

And even before this season there were some really questionable teams and games in KHL. I remember when Eeli Tolvanen broke the underage scoring record in the KHL just to face major difficulties in North America, even with NA junior background. Another Finn, Niko Ojamäki, scored 29 goals in the KHL last season during a shortened season, but has faced some problems coming back to Finland this season. He has publicly talked about how the game in KHL was less tactical and there was more room to maneuver on the ice.

Sometimes things just click and sometimes they don't work out. The sample size of Michkov play in the KHL is too small to make an argument in any direction, and even with a bigger sample size the stats don't always tell the whole truth.

As I already said, Michkov might be a great prospect and he might make a great career, but that's not a reason to downplay Bedard's talent at all. Based on watching Bedard's play for the last couple of years and watching KHL actively for several years (during which the league was arguably at a better level than this season, mind you) there is just no doubt in my mind Bedard could cut it in KHL right now, and most probably do better points-wise than Michkov is doing. Arguing the opposite seems to me downright silly.

 

[Kshahdoo]

For starters, I can't even say if KHL is the undisputed second best league in the world anymore this season now that most of the foreign talent has bolted. During the past decade approximately 25% of the players have been foreigners while this season the number has gone down to 10%, not to mention all the foreign teams and coaches quitting. This has undeniably affected the level of play in the league.

And even before this season there were some really questionable teams and games in KHL. I remember when Eeli Tolvanen broke the underage scoring record in the KHL just to face major difficulties in North America, even with NA junior background. Another Finn, Niko Ojamäki, scored 29 goals in the KHL last season during a shortened season, but has faced some problems coming back to Finland this season. He has publicly talked about how the game in KHL was less tactical and there was more room to maneuver on the ice.

Sometimes things just click and sometimes they don't work out. The sample size of Michkov play in the KHL is too small to make an argument in any direction, and even with a bigger sample size the stats don't always tell the whole truth.

As I already said, Michkov might be a great prospect and he might make a great career, but that's not a reason to downplay Bedard's talent at all. Based on watching Bedard's play for the last couple of years and watching KHL actively for several years (during which the league was arguably at a better level than this season, mind you) there is just no doubt in my mind Bedard could cut it in KHL right now, and most probably do better points-wise than Michkov is doing. Arguing the opposite seems to me downright silly.

Yeah, don't forget about Kuzmenko...

 

[MNRube]

Saw him live at the U18s in Texas and he’s a freak just like Bedard. Bedard a better athlete but Michkov a quicker processor. Should go #2 but I think he goes around #5-6.

If you haven’t watched Michkov, there is a good chance you’ve never seen a player with his style. He’s unique.

 

[bert]

Bedard is torching the U20 at an insane level, but the U20 is garbage relative to the KHL; and the WHL isnt on the same planet.

Meanwhile Michkov is facing the 2nd best competition in hockey all on his own in Sochi. Like no help; literally and figuratively.

You cannot compare Bedard to Michkov statistically. Their situations are worlds apart.

But you can compare Bedards production to other players in the tournament. Other players in the past and other 17 year Olds. There are measuring sticks for both players. Both can still he elite players. No one has done what Bedard has done at his age.

It's been quite clear all year it's Bedard 1, Michkov 2 with Carlson and Fantilli battling for 3. Anyone who says different is looking for clicks.

Saw him live at the U18s in Texas and he’s a freak just like Bedard. Bedard a better athlete but Michkov a quicker processor. Should go #2 but I think he goes around #5-6.

If you haven’t watched Michkov, there is a good chance you’ve never seen a player with his style. He’s unique.

No way he goes 5 or 6. Teams will still pick the best player. They'll wait if they have to clearly it was worth it for Minnesota.

 

[BKarchitect]

No way he goes 5 or 6. Teams will still pick the best player. They'll wait if they have to clearly it was worth it for Minnesota.

I’d have Michkov #2 pretty solidly but I think it’s a tad presumptive to say every scouting group is going to have him so far ahead of Fantilli and Carlsson - who project as potentially franchise changing centers - that the question is some kind of no-brainer. I think you are over-estimating the patience of the front offices of teams, especially bad teams picking that high who have a GM and scouting staff on the hot seat to start showing signs of progress sooner than later.

 

[Kshahdoo]

CSKA - Sochi, shots after 2 periods 39-8...

 

[biscuits and guitar]

I watched his current team's last 2 games against Torpedo and CSKA. Sochi's simply terrible, can't remember if there was such a weak team in the KHL. They allow over 40 SOG (most of which are high-quality shots) almost every game, they can't hold the puck, no puck possession (except rare powerplay stretches), lack of quality scoring chances. That team is hopeless. Against CSKA they looked like a mediocre AHL team against healthy Avalanche squad. Score doesn't reflect the whole picture cuz their goalie had a career night.
But I see all of that as an invaluable experience for Michkov. It's like he was playing on "Beginner" mode till now but now it's turning to "Extra Hard". He's the only player in Sochi who can adequately carry the puck. He still manages to find scoring opportunities despite playing in a team with almost zero puck possession game. He's really trying on defense. He's BLOCKING shots. I think he got 4 blocks against CSKA. Don't expect him to be a PPG player in current situation. I'm not even sure that McDavids and Mackinnons of this world would be able to produce PPG if they were put in Michkov's position. I'm expecting him to produce just a bit less then 0.5 PPG. And that'll be more then fine. Watch a couple of games and you'll see that the boy is a PLAYER.

 

[LetsGoFlyers12]

I watched his current team's last 2 games against Torpedo and CSKA. Sochi's simply terrible, can't remember if there was such a weak team in the KHL. They allow over 40 SOG (most of which are high-quality shots) almost every game, they can't hold the puck, no puck possession (except rare powerplay stretches), lack of quality scoring chances. That team is hopeless. Against CSKA they looked like a mediocre AHL team against healthy Avalanche squad. Score doesn't reflect the whole picture cuz their goalie had a career night.
But I see all of that as an invaluable experience for Michkov. It's like he was playing on "Beginner" mode till now but now it's turning to "Extra Hard". He's the only player in Sochi who can adequately carry the puck. He still manages to find scoring opportunities despite playing in a team with almost zero puck possession game. He's really trying on defense. He's BLOCKING shots. I think he got 4 blocks against CSKA. Don't expect him to be a PPG player in current situation. I'm not even sure that McDavids and Mackinnons of this world would be able to produce PPG if they were put in Michkov's position. I'm expecting him to produce just a bit less then 0.5 PPG. And that'll be more then fine. Watch a couple of games and you'll see that the boy is a PLAYER.

Totally true on all fronts. This team is horrendous. Good news is Michkov is put in a position to play alot and gain a lot of experience. The state of this team also let's him gain experience in places he didn't need to apply himself before. For instance, he is engaging more on defense/transitions and working extremely hard on the forecheck.

He is getting a difficult assignment, which is allowing him to work on maturing his game, while also allowing him to be the focal point on offense. Once he rejoins SKA next season, he will be ready to take his game to the next level.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Looks great in this model.