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

[snipes]

Yeah, I don’t see Michkov playing at the WJC this year either as a triple underager. Even McDavid didn’t make it until he was a double underager.

Michkov needs to start at the U18s (hopefully they’ll be on this year).

The competition, especially Canada v Russia at U20 level are very physical affairs as everyone knows how big the historical hockey rivalry is between these two nations. His body doesn’t look ready for that level of competition yet. Skills might be there but physically he’s still a young boy, he needs time to grow.

It’s not a knock on him, just there’s a huge difference playing against 19 year olds when the bullets are live on the smaller ice. The last thing the hockey world needs is this prodigy getting injured, he’s probably the best Russian and possibly European forward prospect ever at the same age.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Michkov just had the most outrageous play that should have been an assist but Ivantsov missed an open net. Through the legs dangle into traffic.

now he got his assist

 

[Kshahdoo]

Michkov just had the most outrageous play that should have been an assist but Ivantsov missed an open net. Through the legs dangle into traffic.

now he got his assist

Yeah, it could be such a beauty, heh.

Here is the assist

He's playing with Ivantsov and Gurzanov, btw, he never played with before, and still he's the best player on the ice. Of course, he sometimes makes childish mistakes, but his skill level is just crazy high.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

For the record, I think Michkov is easily good enough for the Russian WJC squad, he’d be good too. But Russia rarely use younger players so I don’t expect him to get picked.

 

[bagsw]

Yeah, it could be such a beauty, heh.

Here is the assist

He's playing with Ivantsov and Gurzanov, btw, he never played with before, and still he's the best player on the ice. Of course, he sometimes makes childish mistakes, but his skill level is just crazy high.

Looks like they play mostly with Ska-Varyagi players at this game

 

[MrGeno101]

Bright future. Looks like Messi on ice

 

[Zine]

For the record, I think Michkov is easily good enough for the Russian WJC squad, he’d be good too. But Russia rarely use younger players so I don’t expect him to get picked.

Larionov may favor a younger team. We'll see.

That said, Michkov is way too young. If he was born a month later he'd technically be a quadruple underager (2005).
Innate talent only goes so far for someone that young. Physical/mental maturity, experience, discipline, poise, etc, are just as important, and are attributes that generally only come with age.

 

[bagsw]

Larionov may favor a younger team. We'll see.

That said, Michkov is way too young. If he was born a month later he'd technically be a quadruple underager (2005).
Innate talent only goes so far for someone that young. Physical/mental maturity, experience, discipline, poise, etc, are just as important, and are attributes that generally only come with age.

When we talk about WJC chances, we should not forget that he is quite small. He is not Ovechkin who was a young man at 16, he is just a boy, but there are a lot of physically mature men at WJC

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

When we talk about WJC chances, we should not forget that he is quite small. He is not Ovechkin who was a young man at 16, he is just a boy, but there are a lot of physically mature men at WJC

And don't forget that he's not a great skater either. It'd be easier if he skated like McDavid to play against that level of competition at his age.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

And don't forget that he's not a great skater either. It'd be easier if he skated like McDavid to play against that level of competition at his age.

What? He’s a fantastic skater. High end balance, edgework, agility and lateral movement. Stop confusing ”skating” with ”speed”. By the way, he’s not exactly slow either.

 

[Kshahdoo]

What? He’s a fantastic skater. High end balance, edgework, agility and lateral movement. Stop confusing ”skating” with ”speed”. By the way, he’s not exactly slow either.

Yeah, his agility, balance and edge work are elite, but his speed isn't. Especially acceleration. That's why he has problems, playing vs big and mobile defensemen.

 

[Fantomas]

And don't forget that he's not a great skater either.

That's why he has problems

 

[wings5]

And don't forget that he's not a great skater either. It'd be easier if he skated like McDavid to play against that level of competition at his age.

He's also only 15 playing against players 4 + years older not everyone can be a burner at this age playing at this level. He's is still very raw physically.

 

[bagsw]

He's also only 15 playing against players 4 + years older not everyone can be a burner at this age playing at this level. He's is still very raw physically.

That is exactly what we are pointing at.

 

[Kshahdoo]

He's also only 15 playing against players 4 + years older not everyone can be a burner at this age playing at this level. He's is still very raw physically.

Yeah, I think, he'll get some muscles and add explosiveness and speed. I mean, those 100 meter runners look like bodybuilders not just because they love to look beefy.

 

[Bubbles]

Sports Illustrated just did a story on him, not often they go that detail on hockey stories.

Meet the next great Russian phenom

 

[Canadian]

Sports Illustrated just did a story on him, not often they go that detail on hockey stories.

Meet the next great Russian phenom

The Hockey News became the exclusive hockey content provider for Sports Illustrated back on August 18th.

 

[Kshahdoo]

So he isn't on Russia U17 roster, while other MHLers are... They will play at President of Belarus Sport Club's Cup in Minsk vs Russia U16, Belarus U17 and Belarus U18.

 

[snipes]

Sports Illustrated just did a story on him, not often they go that detail on hockey stories.

Meet the next great Russian phenom

Saw that a couple days ago.

Seems like a pretty good, hard working kid too. He'll be fun to watch in the coming years. Like many generational talents before him, he became known to the hockey world around 14-15 years old. Kid has legitimate skill and hockey instincts that are somewhat God given for lack of a better English term.

Looking forward to his eventual hockey pilgrimage to Canada, I imagine beyond the U-17s, U-18s, Jr. A Challenge, etc. he'll be brought over for the Canada v Russia annual CHL November Super Series before he gets to taste the U-20 WJC level hockey.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

”Not a great skater”

this is all skating.

 

[bagsw]

”Not a great skater”

this is all skating.

Come on, people are talking about speed

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Come on, people are talking about speed

Then they should say speed, not skating

 

[ijuka]

”Not a great skater”

this is all skating.

That didn't exactly display great skating, though.

 

[Kshahdoo]

He didn't look great in the last 2 games. Some flashes of his signature moves and a lot of not very good plays. Still, he scored a point in OT today.

No chemistry with his new linemates (Invantsov and Gursanov) as well.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Right now it's even stupid to discuss his skating. He obviously isn't mature enough physically yet.

Btw it's what I call elite skating. His body fakes are so natural, it almost looks like defensemen give him way.