I mean, Michkov is as big as Smith. Sure, he's a winger, but he's looking like the Truth. we'll see at the end of this year how he does from KHL-> NHL but his D+1 and early preseason has absolutely confirmed he's on a path to super elite status. Smith, not quite yet.
Michkov’s performance in the watered down KHL and meaningless preseason games is no more a confirmation of star trajectory than Smith's historic scoring numbers as a freshman in the NCAA, U-18s and USHL. Unless Michkov develops into a Kucherov/Pastrnak/Panarin level line-driving winger we'll be better off with a solid 2C which is a more valuable and harder position to fill.
Consensus, I think, is that he looks a bit faster than last year and looks good. That said, it seems like he's most likely to break camp in the AHL. We have a logjam of bottom-6 folks and fringe skill 2nd liners. But he will see NHL time with injuries, almost surely. He's in a group with Cardwell, Gushchin of smallish, but high energy and skill, wingers who will get call-ups, but will probably not beat out Kostin/Grundstrom/Dellandrea/Kunin/Goodrow or even G.Smith for team spots, is my personal guess.
I think it's most likely he starts with the Cuda, maybe 30-70. He hasn't looked out of place at camp by any means, but he doesn't really have a single outstanding trait that sets him apart from the glut of bottom-6 forwards we have signed.
He 100% wanted a big market. I'm just surprised he said no to Montreal but it's possible they didn't want him.
I have a feeling he is going to come over and surprise us.
Right, which is why I won't and don't hold it against Grier for not taking him. I just also don't have a problem with admitting I think Michkov is the better and more impactful player than Smith. I'm not going to be like some loser Habs fans insisting that Reinbacher is better than Michkov.
While I agree with this, I think there's a world where both Michkov and Smith reach their potential with Smith being the more valuable player. It will be interesting comparing the 2 players over the next 4-5 years.
I don't really agree with this, personally. I think Michkov's potential is much higher, and that's no shade to Smith who is extremely talented.
Im fairly certain he picked the Flyers, and Friedman reported as much.
If you look at the list before the Phili, the only other big market teams is Chicago (who clearly was picking Bedard) and Montreal.
I don't think it was a big market thing. I think it was an "experienced" market thing and one with good ties to Russia. Philly has an identity.
