What “kind” of pace do you mean? Cause passing and/or shooting he thinks the game faster than everyone on the ice. And it's clearly noticeable in his previous games in the KHL. He sees space/lanes and plays passes no one else predicts. He clearly lacks explosiveness or doesn't skate fast enough. But he still weighs less than 70 kg. So that will improve.
Speed of decisions and on transition. Some of it can be due to skating but I don't consider it a long term concern either. Bedard can do this as well sometimes and he'll also have to correct it, but Michkov is on another level when it comes to useless shots due to an inability to keep moving fast. I managed to catch the third period of today's game due to a shortened class, and this problem popped up on multiple occasions, notably on the 5-on-3, where Michkov took relatively low danger shots that were even blocked a few times because he took too long to make decisions with the puck. Other shots that went through were also pretty easy to toss aside. Too easy to read.
My main difference between myself and his detractors is I don't see any part of Michkov's game that concerns me as there is further development to be had, which is something every prospect needs anyway. He has the skill to create in tight quarters and is unparalleled as a prospect when it comes to finding the seams and empty spaces away from the puck.
I could understand someone placing him anywhere in top 4 because hockey is more complex than just shots and goals, and Fantilli and Carlsson absolutely have some tools neither Bedard or Michkov have, though at this point I would not put him below 2 anymore.
Putting him in the 11-20 range makes me wonder if some pundits, notably the internet types (who to their credit are more informative than the Buttons of the world), have pigeonholed themselves into a corner because they have a player type they adore (fast skaters with quick hands that transition the puck quickly) and their models do not work well with players who succeed differently. Michkov can score in places most players cannot and leans into that, and these pundits' models cannot differentiate this distinction, hence why I found the write-ups mostly "eh?" from my point of view.
Last minute edit: During my limited viewings of HC Sochi, I very much enjoyed watching this Sergei Popov character. I'm not saying he's a future KHL star or anything, but he seems to move quite well and make some good decisions with the puck, honestly his goal was perhaps the least exciting part of his play during the period. I'd keep him tied to Michkov for the rest of the season.
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