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

[Bubbles]

what drives me nuts is seeing people feel so strongly one is better than the other as far as who will go #1 and try to trash talk one or the other.. like cmon.... the draft is still soooo far away and its OK to like both players. But to say 1 of them is WAY better and will be WAY better is absurd... both are in different situations and both are unreal

It's perfectly fine to discuss Michkov by himself, but some posters can't help themselves to include a Bedard comparison in every post. It just screams of insecurity for me.

It's OK to like two skilled prospects from different countries WITHOUT needing to compare and contrast or even take digs at perceived or completely made up weaknesses.

I'm just happy to see two great talents develop. There's always the ignore button for those that need to bring either name in a discussion about one prospect.

 

[flashsabre]

What is Michkov’s contract situation? How long is he committed to his Russian team? This is a reason I have heard why he might not be 1OA pick because he might be a few years away from the NHL after his draft. Heck of a hockey player!!!!

 

[vorky]

What is Michkov’s contract situation? How long is he committed to his Russian team? This is a reason I have heard why he might not be 1OA pick because he might be a few years away from the NHL after his draft. Heck of a hockey player!!!!

30.04.2026

 

[Kshahdoo]

Tarasenko? Kuznetsov? Kucherov? Vasilevskiy? Nichushkin?

Does Kaprizov count?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Does Kaprizov count?

He wasn’t a very hyped 16/17yr old prospect.

 

[Kshahdoo]

He wasn’t a very hyped 16/17yr old prospect.

Yeah, he was. Just not in Canada.

 

[Fantomas]

Yeah, he was. Just not in Canada.

This is actually kinda true. Kaprizov was seen as very talented in Russia at that age, but for some reason in North America no one knew about him.

I remember Russian posters here comparing the teenage Kaprizov to Makarov.

 

[WolfgangPuck]

First time I seen him play. Shines bright in the tournament. Now I see what hype is about. Elite good scorer

 

[Semantics]

No freaking way this kid doesn't buy out his KHL contract and start in the NHL at 18. Every year he stays on that contract is going to delay his RFA status in the NHL and cost him as much as 10M.

I assume signing in the KHL at such a young age was an intentional move by him and his agent to secure a lot of money just in case things don't work out as expected. A bird in the hand vs two in the bush.

 

[tmlfan98]

Anyone who thinks Bedard or Michkov is a lock to go #1 has an agenda. It’s way too early and both prospects are way too talented to limit their development over the next 24 months.

Bedard is a lock to go #1 unless Michkov buys out his contract, even though Michkov is better. The gap is not wide enough between the two that the GM with the #1 pick will decide to punt the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons without Michkov when they could select Bedard who will be in the NHL right away.

GMs think about themselves too and Bedard being in the NHL 3 years earlier could be the difference between a job saved and a job lost for GMs of teams bad enough to get the 1st overall pick.

 

[Kshahdoo]

No freaking way this kid doesn't buy out his KHL contract and start in the NHL at 18. Every year he stays on that contract is going to delay his RFA status in the NHL and cost him as much as 10M.

I assume signing in the KHL at such a young age was an intentional move by him and his agent to secure a lot of money just in case things don't work out as expected. A bird in the hand vs two in the bush.

Well, given his salary won't count against the cap in the KHL, he can earn pretty good money there, if he becomes a real superstar.

 

[ViD]

If Michkov and SKA win the Gagarin cup early in his contract, there’s truly no point for him to stay until the end

 

[Dempsey]

Bedard is a lock to go #1 unless Michkov buys out his contract, even though Michkov is better. The gap is not wide enough between the two that the GM with the #1 pick will decide to punt the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons without Michkov when they could select Bedard who will be in the NHL right away.

GMs think about themselves too and Bedard being in the NHL 3 years earlier could be the difference between a job saved and a job lost for GMs of teams bad enough to get the 1st overall pick.

You say this stuff as if it's an absolute fact and the case is closed.

 

[flying v 604]

If Michkov and SKA win the Gagarin cup early in his contract, there’s truly no point for him to stay until the end

I am a bit lacking in the way the buyout works but I thought that the way it's written makes it hard to buyout even if he has the money to do so.
I realize most people on this side of the pond can't fathom why he would want to stay until 2026 and maybe beyond but is it so far fetched to think maybe he loves his country and may actually want to stay? Besides you know if he ends up as good as people think he's gonna get paid a shitload for staying in Russia.

 

[ViD]

I am a bit lacking in the way the buyout works but I thought that the way it's written makes it hard to buyout even if he has the money to do so.
I realize most people on this side of the pond can't fathom why he would want to stay until 2026 and maybe beyond but is it so far fetched to think maybe he loves his country and may actually want to stay? Besides you know if he ends up as good as people think he's gonna get paid a shitload for staying in Russia.

As a top level competitor, after he conquers KHL, he will definitely want to reach another mountain top which is NHL

 

[ClarkBolzano]

I saw Michkov playing a few times during this tournament. He is really crazy good. He is scoring machine. He score and scores and scores. Tis s his special Talent. He can pass too. But why should He? He is able to get in the best spot or He creates for himself the space to succeed and He does it consistently. What a player

 

[prongertheman9]

The comparison with Laine is nonsense, the fact that it doesn't work for him is certainly not down to his talent. He proved that in his very first season. Neither he nor Matthews are generational. McDavid is and he showed that the whole world dominating the U18 at 16 years old like a truly generational player do.

It will be interesting to see how Bedard’s numbers stack up next year if he comes back as a 16 year old. What kind of numbers did Michkov put up as a 15 year old? I can’t find them them on EliteProspects.

Does Russia need to win gold for this tourney to be considered a success for Michkov? Should truly generational 16 year olds be able to put their team in their backs and lead them to a championship?

 

[NatusVincere]

It will be interesting to see how Bedard’s numbers stack up next year if he comes back as a 16 year old. What kind of numbers did Michkov put up as a 15 year old? I can’t find them them on EliteProspects.

Does Russia need to win gold for this tourney to be considered a success for Michkov? Should truly generational 16 year olds be able to put their team in their backs and lead them to a championship?

McDavid was only a few months older than Bedard is now. The age excuse is weak.

 

[prongertheman9]

McDavid was only a few months older than Bedard is now. The age excuse is weak.

Half a year older but technically you are right - it was McDavid’s 15 year old year, same as Bedard’s this year. This is Michkov’s 16 year old year though right?

Is Russia the favourite to win the tournament with the only generational prospect on their team?

 

[NatusVincere]

Half a year older but technically you are right - it was McDavid’s 15 year old year, same as Bedard’s this year. This is Michkov’s 16 year old year though right?

Is Russia the favourite to win the tournament with the only generational prospect on their team?

I dont think so, Canada is. We looked bad so far except for the game against the Czech Republic. People say Michkov's four goals against Germany wasn't a big deal, but it was a one-goal game until Michkov took over. Canada looks the strongest so far and I think will win the tournament too.

 

[nbwingsfan]

McDavid was only a few months older than Bedard is now. The age excuse is weak.

Not sure what that has to do with Michkov? He simPly asked how did Michkov do at 15?

 

[NatusVincere]

Not sure what that has to do with Michkov? He simPly asked how did Michkov do at 15?

At 15 he dominated an other canadian generational talent at the YOG.

 

[nbwingsfan]

At 15 he dominated an other canadian generational talent at the YOG.

So he didn't play at the ,U18 at 15. That's all you had to say instead of getting defensive (again).

Good to know.

 

[Zine]

Cmon, quit making excuses for why, up to this point, Bedard hasn't been on Michkov's level this tournament.

Had Michkov been born a only month later, he'd be the same as Bedard - 2005 born. Unfortunately for Michkov, Nov/Dec are the worst months to be born in for international hockey.

That said, who knows who will turn out better in the future. This tourney is only a small snapshot in time.

 

[kyle44]

At 15 he dominated an other canadian generational talent at the YOG.

Who might that have been? Matthew Savoie? I don't recall anyone saying he is a generational talent. Canada's best 04 (Shane Wright) didn't even play in the tournament.