RW Matvei Michkov - SKA-1946 St.Petersburg, MHL (2023 Draft) Part 2

[NatusVincere]

Hope they play well together. Could be a great line at the U20.

 

[These Are The Days]

SKA has lost 4 games in a row, they have some top players injured, but Michkov still plays in the MHL...

Russian clubs are so frequently terrible about giving chances to young players like this. Michkov might as well come over to the CHL if they're gonna keep doing this

 

[wings5]

Russian clubs are so frequently terrible about giving chances to young players like this. Michkov might as well come over to the CHL if they're gonna keep doing this

There’s no point . MHL is just as good as the CHL so he can just stay living close to home. He really should be at least in the VHL though

 

[SoundAndFury]

Russian clubs are so frequently terrible about giving chances to young players like this. Michkov might as well come over to the CHL if they're gonna keep doing this

So the solution to him playing in juniors is to move to another country and play exclusively against juniors. Interesting take.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Michkov scored and got injured and it didn't look good... nah, it looks like he's ok.

 

[vorky]

Russian clubs are so frequently terrible about giving chances to young players like this. Michkov might as well come over to the CHL if they're gonna keep doing this

I would recommend you to make some research. SKA does not want Michkov to change the team (MHL, VHL, KHL) multiple-times a week. And Michkov does not want it as well.

 

[Kshahdoo]

I would recommend you to make some research. SKA does not want Michkov to change the team (MHL, VHL, KHL) multiple-times a week. And Michkov does not want it as well.

He still did it, playing for Varyagi and 1946

 

[Atas2000]

Russian clubs are so frequently terrible about giving chances to young players like this. Michkov might as well come over to the CHL if they're gonna keep doing this

Congrats! This wins the most ignorant post award.

 

[vorky]

He still did it, playing for Varyagi and 1946

It is one thing to play for MHL teams than rotating MHL/VHL/KHL every week. Training sessions are different on MHL level than senior level. Plus, you know, Michkov is a pupil of the school. Guessing his MHL program is compatitible with school education. Can we say the same about senior hockey?

I will post what Rotenberg said a few days ago. For more details, I recommend the interview with Michkov.

We need to be patient (with Michkov´s development), not forcing events. We give him maximum opportunities to play in the KHL. At the same time we understand that we can not give him 20 minutes (on KHL level). He needs to develop, play as much as possible and he needs to be a leader of his team. We are in contact with Matvei & his parents because he is still a kid. Like everyone-else, he attends the school.

Together we are looking for solutions to support his constant development as a player. He is a unique hockey player. But at the same time we can not force his development – we need to prepare him smoothly for the Russian U20 Team (WJC) and Russian U18 Team. We do not want to overload Matvei, he needs to be constantly in one system. He played so good at the Karjala Tournament because he was training & preparing correctly, reaching his peak form at the tournament.

 

[These Are The Days]

So the solution to him playing in juniors is to move to another country and play exclusively against juniors. Interesting take.

I would recommend you to make some research. SKA does not want Michkov to change the team (MHL, VHL, KHL) multiple-times a week. And Michkov does not want it as well.

Congrats! This wins the most ignorant post award.

You'll have to forgive me boys but this comes from a good place. I know Michkov can thrive in the KHL setting and I am wary of how much of a chance he will really get.

 

[Atas2000]

I generally agree with you. I'm an Oiler's fan. I feel like we're about 0 for 10 with Russians leaving after they get assigned to the AHL. I absolutely agree that the ones that make the NHL come over, are committed and do amazing things. However, the fringe ones come over.. they don't always stay?

Shlepyshev?
Maksimov?
Yakimov?
Paigin?

Have a look at the Russian prospects drafted by the Oilers. Some never came, some left pretty quick.

Edmonton Oilers Draft History at hockeydb.com

Am I wrong? I know you are more knowledgeable than me on this.

Hoping for good things for Petrov.

Let's start with the fact that the Oilers are in general the worst team at drafting beyond the 1st round. And let's not even talk about developing prospects.

None of the russian prospects you listed would be high on my slist of probability of making the NHL.

And to prove my first point they took Yakimov over Slepyshev? Seriously? I mean they were okay picks for the 3rd or 4th round. It was a really weak russian class. Admitedly the only Russian worth taking Buchnevich was gone at that point, but not much earlier which is once again courtesy of NHL's bad scouting in Russia. But realistically Yakimov was just a big body with an outside chance of ever becoming an effective pro above juniors where he could just use his size against his peers. Slepushev was a B-grade forward who had more exposure due to the unusual lack of top forwards within his age group in Russia. Yakimov is a fringe KHLer in his prime, Slepyshev is a bit better as expected, but still not a NHL level talent. I think both of them turned out just along the expectation curve. And yes, both came over to NA and deservingly could not make the NHL. But then again, both legit 3rd rounders at best who aren't exactly locks to make the NHL.

Maksimov is a double-nationality guy I don't even want to discuss. He chose his path, became a 5th round pick out of the CHL and what? Now he is basically bailing back to Russia for help with rescuing his career. Yeah, he is doing okay in the VHL... at 22. He is not a product of russian development from the get go.

Paigin was basically a poor man's Mukhamadullin. A guy who at a very young age saw some KHL action, but his deficiencies were pretty obvious and there was hope he could iron out those wrinkles in his game with age. He did not. Also partially because he became impatient. But again, nothing wrong with a 7th rounder not panning out.

All those guys come over. The ones the Oilers drafted leave pretty quick for one sole reason. They are lower tier prospects who aren't that good in the first place. There are bunches of NA prospects from that talent range who hang them up entirely at the same age.

And Petrov is again a 6th rounder. Moreoover one who decided to go to NA at this age. I ususally scratch those from my follow chart because they rarely succeed if at all. He wa s doing okay in the MHL. What does he think the OHL will give him at this point? But here you go, he came over to NA eaarly.

If anything Oilers related we'd have to talk about their scouting and drafting. Except for maybe Samorukov I don't see one justfiable pick among Russians.

 

[These Are The Days]

There’s no point . MHL is just as good as the CHL so he can just stay living close to home. He really should be at least in the VHL though

Fully agreed on this but I don't know the way it works in Russia. If you can't put him against the best competition his age, a men's league (regardless of it being KHL) is at least a logical step. Michkov is special for sure.

 

[Czechboy]

Let's start with the fact that the Oilers are in general the worst team at drafting beyond the 1st round. And let's not even talk about developing prospects.

None of the russian prospects you listed would be high on my slist of probability of making the NHL.

And to prove my first point they took Yakimov over Slepyshev? Seriously? I mean they were okay picks for the 3rd or 4th round. It was a really weak russian class. Admitedly the only Russian worth taking Buchnevich was gone at that point, but not much earlier which is once again courtesy of NHL's bad scouting in Russia. But realistically Yakimov was just a big body with an outside chance of ever becoming an effective pro above juniors where he could just use his size against his peers. Slepushev was a B-grade forward who had more exposure due to the unusual lack of top forwards within his age group in Russia. Yakimov is a fringe KHLer in his prime, Slepyshev is a bit better as expected, but still not a NHL level talent. I think both of them turned out just along the expectation curve. And yes, both came over to NA and deservingly could not make the NHL. But then again, both legit 3rd rounders at best who aren't exactly locks to make the NHL.

Maksimov is a double-nationality guy I don't even want to discuss. He chose his path, became a 5th round pick out of the CHL and what? Now he is basically bailing back to Russia for help with rescuing his career. Yeah, he is doing okay in the VHL... at 22. He is not a product of russian development from the get go.

Paigin was basically a poor man's Mukhamadullin. A guy who at a very young age saw some KHL action, but his deficiencies were pretty obvious and there was hope he could iron out those wrinkles in his game with age. He did not. Also partially because he became impatient. But again, nothing wrong with a 7th rounder not panning out.

All those guys come over. The ones the Oilers drafted leave pretty quick for one sole reason. They are lower tier prospects who aren't that good in the first place. There are bunches of NA prospects from that talent range who hang them up entirely at the same age.

And Petrov is again a 6th rounder. Moreoover one who decided to go to NA at this age. I ususally scratch those from my follow chart because they rarely succeed if at all. He wa s doing okay in the MHL. What does he think the OHL will give him at this point? But here you go, he came over to NA eaarly.

If anything Oilers related we'd have to talk about their scouting and drafting. Except for maybe Samorukov I don't see one justfiable pick among Russians.

All good points. As a contrast... when the low tier Czechs get drafted in rounds 3 to 7. They come over (if they aren't already here) and they slug out in the AHL for several seasons. They basically leave when there is no hope.lol Kase and Spacek come to mind. Reichel will be added to that soon. Chlapik. Stransky. Jaskin pre KHL. Similar tier to the above. Safin went to the ECHL.

What I'm getting is that only the top tier Russians will come over. The bottom tier ones like the Oilers picks don't stay long. So why draft a guy who will only come over and play in the NHL? To me, that is the 'Russian factor'.

I'm an NHL GM and I'm constantly seeing 3rd round and beyond Russians not coming over or leaving quickly when sent to AHL or ECHL. Why draft them?

You look at the last decade of World Jrs and the most medals are from Russia. They always compete hard! The team always skates well, shoots well, passes well. I really enjoy them. Then not many make the NHL.. it doesn't add up.

Swedes and Finns come over and stay awhile IMO. I don't think they are better than the Russians but they have more NHLers. It doesn't add up.

Please know I'm not attacking Russian players here. If I were a fringe Russian player and could make 70K a year to sit on a bus in the AHL or stay home in the KHL and make more than that.. I probably don't come either.

Also, Michkov is my fav prospect in the world. He's going to be unreal.

I hope Samo makes it for the Oil. I hope Kono does too but he's struggling and one of my fears is that Smith gets healthy, Skinner goes to be a starter in the AHL and Kono leaves because he doesn't want to be a backup in the AHL when he could be in the KHL.

As far as the Oil and drafing and developing.. total dogshit. Zero argument. We ruined Yak too and I'm still mad about it. I used them as I'm familiar with their history with Russian players. But they haven't been shy in drafting them (even using a 1OV) but I see most are in Russia and not on the roster. I'll bet they shy away from drafting Russians too.

FTR.. .I want Shlep back.. I think he'd help our bottom 6 immediately! He'd be perfect! Think he'd come for 1million, 1 way contract and 1 year? I doubt it. I see an NHL player there.

 

[vorky]

All good points. As a contrast... when the low tier Czechs get drafted in rounds 3 to 7. They come over (if they aren't already here) and they slug out in the AHL for several seasons. They basically leave when there is no hope.lol Kase and Spacek come to mind. Reichel will be added to that soon. Chlapik. Stransky. Jaskin pre KHL. Similar tier to the above. Safin went to the ECHL.

What I'm getting is that only the top tier Russians will come over. The bottom tier ones like the Oilers picks don't stay long. So why draft a guy who will only come over and play in the NHL? To me, that is the 'Russian factor'.

I'm an NHL GM and I'm constantly seeing 3rd round and beyond Russians not coming over or leaving quickly when sent to AHL or ECHL. Why draft them?

You look at the last decade of World Jrs and the most medals are from Russia. They always compete hard! The team always skates well, shoots well, passes well. I really enjoy them. Then not many make the NHL.. it doesn't add up.

Swedes and Finns come over and stay awhile IMO. I don't think they are better than the Russians but they have more NHLers. It doesn't add up.

Please know I'm not attacking Russian players here. If I were a fringe Russian player and could make 70K a year to sit on a bus in the AHL or stay home in the KHL and make more than that.. I probably don't come either.

Also, Michkov is my fav prospect in the world. He's going to be unreal.

I hope Samo makes it for the Oil. I hope Kono does too but he's struggling and one of my fears is that Smith gets healthy, Skinner goes to be a starter in the AHL and Kono leaves because he doesn't want to be a backup in the AHL when he could be in the KHL.

As far as the Oil and drafing and developing.. total dogshit. Zero argument. We ruined Yak too and I'm still mad about it. I used them as I'm familiar with their history with Russian players. But they haven't been shy in drafting them (even using a 1OV) but I see most are in Russia and not on the roster. I'll bet they shy away from drafting Russians too.

FTR.. .I want Shlep back.. I think he'd help our bottom 6 immediately! He'd be perfect! Think he'd come for 1million, 1 way contract and 1 year? I doubt it. I see an NHL player there.

I will try to partially reply to the bold part about Swedes & Finns or Czechs/Slovaks. As I see it, they have no realistic back-up options at home, meaning financially but not only. So they need to follow all recomendations by NHL clubs, even bad for their development (see what Szymon Szemberg says on the topic). While Russians have such options. But yeah, staying in AHL/CHL for too long can bring a harm to these players, when coming back home, they can not recover anymore. But generally, they have options at home. Plus, some clever (& good) Russians coming over with higher status than Swedes or Finns or Czechs. I can name guys like Tarasenko, Panarin etc. So, it is easier for them to become NHL regulars.

 

[olgerd]

Michkov 2+1 today

 

[Czechboy]

I will try to partially reply to the bold part about Swedes & Finns or Czechs/Slovaks. As I see it, they have no realistic back-up options at home, meaning financially but not only. Some they need to follow all recomendations by NHL clubs, even bad for their development (see what Szymon Szemberg says on the topic). While Russians have such options. But yeah, staying in AHL/CHL for too long can bring a harm to these players, when coming back home, they can not recover anymore. But generally, they have options at home. Plus, some clever (& good) Russians coming over with higher status than Swedes or Finns or Czechs. I can name guys like Tarasenko, Panarin etc. So, it is easier for them to become NHL regulars.

Czechs are a lower tier with a weaker league. I don't have them grouped with the Russians/Finns/Swedes. I see a gap.

I agree with your points (again, I'm not Russian bashing here.. fan of the players and the team).

We are agreeing in a way.. guys like Tarasenko, Panarin, Kaprizov come over and go straight to the NHL and do amazing.

There is a very clear KHL or NHL path for Russians.

That's not how the NHL works though. They want most guys (except first rounders who are elite) to go to AHL or stay an extra year in CHL.

I totally agree that being in the AHL too long will destroy your career when you return to Europe. Extraliga is full of 'hybrid players' that left at 16 to 18 and came back at 22. No argument.

This goes back to why would a GM draft any non first round Russian? Again, I'm a very good Russian and my options are top 6 in KHL or AHL.. I'm staying home. I'm postive there are a lot of NHL caliber players in the KHL but they don't want bottom 6 or bottom pair or backup.

For the most part, outside of the elites, the NHL path is through the AHL. Almost all the best D and goalies (even Vasilevsky) in NHL came through AHL. Forwards a little less so.

 

[Caser]

 

[vorky]

Czechs are a lower tier with a weaker league. I don't have them grouped with the Russians/Finns/Swedes. I see a gap.

I agree with your points (again, I'm not Russian bashing here.. fan of the players and the team).

We are agreeing in a way.. guys like Tarasenko, Panarin, Kaprizov come over and go straight to the NHL and do amazing.

There is a very clear KHL or NHL path for Russians.

That's not how the NHL works though. They want most guys (except first rounders who are elite) to go to AHL or stay an extra year in CHL.

I totally agree that being in the AHL too long will destroy your career when you return to Europe. Extraliga is full of 'hybrid players' that left at 16 to 18 and came back at 22. No argument.

This goes back to why would a GM draft any non first round Russian? Again, I'm a very good Russian and my options are top 6 in KHL or AHL.. I'm staying home. I'm postive there are a lot of NHL caliber players in the KHL but they don't want bottom 6 or bottom pair or backup.

For the most part, outside of the elites, the NHL path is through the AHL. Almost all the best D and goalies (even Vasilevsky) in NHL came through AHL. Forwards a little less so.

I can agree with you. I will reply to bold part. More or less expressing my hope. As Szemberg says the NHL GMs should realise their AHL route is not the right development route for Europeans. This to happen, European clubs/leagues need to make a pressure on NHL, offering realistic options to their players by keeping them at home until 23-25. Sadly, I need to say - there is no such pressure by European leagues, only KHL does it in some way, but it is not enough.

 

[Czechboy]

I can agree with you. I will reply to bold part. More or less expressing my hope. As Szemberg says the NHL GMs should realise their AHL route is not the right development route for Europeans. This to happen, European clubs/leagues need to make a pressure on NHL, offering realistic options to their players by keeping them at home until 23-25. Sadly, I need to say - there is no such pressure by European leagues, only KHL does it in some way, but it is not enough.

My favorite part about the 'curtain falling' was that the Euro's came over and were different. They played a different style. It was awesome!

Now they come over at 16 and learn to be more North American. Some succeed and some falter.

I do think the hockey world needs to agree on one sized rink (I don't care which size)
I do think the hockey world needs to agree that no Euro should leave before 20 (unless straight to NHL from camp like a Dahlin) after agreeing to a rink size. It'd be nice if everyone played on the same size field from the age of 4.
I do think the Euro's need to hire ESL teachers and classes for their elite talent from the age of 16. Just part of the program to ease the transition. Worst case scenario, they don't make the NHL and they are bilingual.

None of this will happen and no one is asking me though.lol

 

[Czechboy]

Apologies for threadjack.. Michkov is a beast. I think his shot will only get stronger with age. His vision is amazing. Russians are on the rise!

 

[Kshahdoo]

12+11 after 10 games in the MHL. Best SKA-1946 scorer Kuzmin has 12+18 after 26 games...

His PPG is still way behind the best all time after 10 games at least. In 2012-13 season Yevgeni Grigorenko scored 13+15 in 10 games. Grigorenko was 20 year old though.

Gusev had 30+46 after 34 games in 2011-12 season. He was 19 and he played with Kucherov. Kucherov's best PPG was 1.87 (24+19 after 23 games) in the same 2011-12 season. Kucherov was 18.

 

[Atas2000]

All good points. As a contrast... when the low tier Czechs get drafted in rounds 3 to 7. They come over (if they aren't already here) and they slug out in the AHL for several seasons. They basically leave when there is no hope.lol Kase and Spacek come to mind. Reichel will be added to that soon. Chlapik. Stransky. Jaskin pre KHL. Similar tier to the above. Safin went to the ECHL.

What I'm getting is that only the top tier Russians will come over. The bottom tier ones like the Oilers picks don't stay long. So why draft a guy who will only come over and play in the NHL? To me, that is the 'Russian factor'.

I'm an NHL GM and I'm constantly seeing 3rd round and beyond Russians not coming over or leaving quickly when sent to AHL or ECHL. Why draft them?

You look at the last decade of World Jrs and the most medals are from Russia. They always compete hard! The team always skates well, shoots well, passes well. I really enjoy them. Then not many make the NHL.. it doesn't add up.

Swedes and Finns come over and stay awhile IMO. I don't think they are better than the Russians but they have more NHLers. It doesn't add up.

Please know I'm not attacking Russian players here. If I were a fringe Russian player and could make 70K a year to sit on a bus in the AHL or stay home in the KHL and make more than that.. I probably don't come either.

Also, Michkov is my fav prospect in the world. He's going to be unreal.

I hope Samo makes it for the Oil. I hope Kono does too but he's struggling and one of my fears is that Smith gets healthy, Skinner goes to be a starter in the AHL and Kono leaves because he doesn't want to be a backup in the AHL when he could be in the KHL.

As far as the Oil and drafing and developing.. total dogshit. Zero argument. We ruined Yak too and I'm still mad about it. I used them as I'm familiar with their history with Russian players. But they haven't been shy in drafting them (even using a 1OV) but I see most are in Russia and not on the roster. I'll bet they shy away from drafting Russians too.

FTR.. .I want Shlep back.. I think he'd help our bottom 6 immediately! He'd be perfect! Think he'd come for 1million, 1 way contract and 1 year? I doubt it. I see an NHL player there.

Russians "leaving" does not mean the NHL team loses their rights. It's not like they are leaving and give up on hockey entirely. I don't see why not staying in NA is somehow hurting their chances of becoming assets for the NHL team.

It's more about drafting the right Russians in the later rounds. The ones who actually do have a chance at making the NHL regardless of where they will spend theit development time prior to the NHL. Some NHL orgs are definitely better at that than the Oilers.

Your somparison to other nation's juniors is incorrect though because it is made on a few wrong premises.

1.You overrate WJC performances. Look, the most uneventful as in names squad of Russia of 2014-15 won silver. Buchnevich and Barbashev, the leading scorers are both NHLers now(Provorov and Gavrikov were underagers there so it doe not really show much). Everybody else were not really good to begin with. As I said, probably one of the most uneventfull rosters Russia had. Performance in one short tournament comes from so many factors. The one posistion Russia was more then adequate in was goaltending. Well two future NHL starters, good coaching and they won silver. Does not mean the roster was full of players who should make the NHL. In fact if you comapre to other nation's rosters you will find out they don't have much more NHLers on them. How's Axel Holmstrom doing? You might ask who that is. How's Jacob de la Rose NHL career progressing? I think you have a tilted perception of how many prospects make it to the NHL from those WJC rosters. Again, from that "bad" russian squad 6 are full time NHLers now. That's not a bad rate at all.

2."More NHLers" is not a good measuring stick I think. The quality of those NHLers matters too. Some other nation's player's might prefer being fringe NHLers or NHL bottom6 players to playing at home. It does not mean they are better players. Jaskin is a good example here, right? He tries again to make the NHL while he obviously is just a tad not good enough to really make it. He can be a good KHLer though. It's his choice. He can grind it out in the AHL all he wants. Does not make him a better player. And obviously Russians are way more inclined to seek for a KHL job when they realize they aren't really making it in in NA. And on the other side of it some career KHLers do try it too. Look at Golyshev. I doubt he will make it. I undrestand the intention. Why not giving it a try? But he will probably just confirm his status. Godd enough for the KHL. Not good enough for the NHL. And he always was projected along that curve.

3.Your perception of Finns and Swedes is incorrect too. Especially their better prospects develop at home and don't come over before they are NHL ready or at least close to NHL ready. The ones that "come and stay" are the ones that often do not pan out. So what's the benefit of that?

Lately it basically boiled down to this for russian prospects: the not so good ones got to NA juniors and are still sometimes overrated by the NHL scouts due to more exposure, top prospects develop at home and go to NA at some point. So it is pretty similar to Sweden and Finnland. All courtesy of having a competitive league system at home.

Samorukov should make it. He has all the tools. And the Oilers D is still a sieve. They could use a steady guy on the 2nd pairing. That's where I see him in the future. Konovalov made a jerk move. Way too early. He needed to establish himself in the KHL more. One great season does not seal it.

 

[vorky]

RSport says he is recalled from MHL.

 

[NatusVincere]

RSport says he is recalled from MHL.

He is playing right now in the MHL… and few minutes in the 1st period and this kid has already 2 goals

 

[Kshahdoo]

He is playing right now in the MHL… and few minutes in the 1st period and this kid has already 2 goals

Scored lacrosse again. It should be renamed to Michkovs now...