These are my observation on the poster Musto’s text on Michkov,
1. For a player that has been hyped as long as he has, Michkov is still raw.
He’s polished. What does he think raw means.
2. He won’t be ready to play in the NHL any time soon.
Contractually speaking, perhaps. Hockey-wise he could be in the NHL in October.
3. You also won’t see an ounce of defensive play out of him.
Not true. Unless he’s being hyperbolic. He’ll follow guys on the back-check behind his own net.
4. He cheats past the blueline.
He does sometimes. Usually when there’s a 50/50 battle in the zone for a quick breakout. Usually starts off from the hash marks.
5. If the puck isn’t on his stick, he’s not doing anything to help the team.
He does try to get the puck back. He tries to get a turnover. He plays the box in his zone and does forecheck. But I do think this is the weakest aspect to his game.
6. Initially he looked reinvigorated from his move to Sochi, but after coming out the gate with more motivation he mostly reverted back to his usual self.
His period in Sochi is the period he beat the KHL record for a draft age prospect.
7. Poor body language,
Don’t see it. He usually directs the PP and has positive interactions with the coach.
8. worthless off the puck, prone to becoming a pylon,
See 5.
9. subpar playmaking,
Best playmaker in this draft. Better than Bedard.
10.trouble with winning board battles,
Holds his own when playing against men. When he does recover the puck he gets it on the stick of the teammates, No errant uncontrolled pucks.
11. trying to take four guys head on at once and losing.
Bedard does this sometime. Michkov does not hot dog and never dekes in an unfavourable position. I don’t know where he got this from.
12. He also doesn’t have the speed to create lots of separation in transition.
He’s faster than others in the 5 to 10 range. He’ll have no problem using his speed in the NHL. He skates against top pro men. He doesn’t try to beat the last guy like Josh Anderson. He finds a shooting lane than shoots.
13.It’s a long list of things that make Michkov an annoying player to watch.
Not a fan of his Michigans. But it’s a delight to watch him get out of tight spots, making brilliant passes and scoring lots of goals.
14. NHL coaches will find him difficult to work with.
Don’t know where he gets this. See 7.
15. After being labeled a “generational prospect” too early, Michkov just hasn’t taken the necessary jumps in his development.
He’s a franchise player at least. Generational is over used. His development is where he was still breaking records this season like he did every other year.
16.Still, there’s potential for upside if you’re patient with his timeline
I would say so.
17. If he can bulk up …
He looks like an Olympic lifter
18. and play in the paint at the NHL level, he may be able to develop into a high end version of Brendan Gallagher.
Other than not crashing goalies, not taking punches to the net, not getting upset for trifles, being able to use his teammates, driving a power play, and a bunch of other differences... Both are under 6’ and play wing.
