One in every of hockey’s greatest prospects, Matvei Michkov, is coming to the NHL earlier, which may have a number of groups kicking themselves for passing on the gifted Russian.
Half of the six gamers chosen forward of Michkov within the 2023 NHL Draft have made their NHL debuts. Nonetheless, except for the Chicago Blackhawks’ No. 1 choose, Connor Bedard, it is arduous to argue that any have the offensive ceiling of the Philadelphia Flyers’ new star.
With limitations and questions on his defensive effort, Michkov will not be the proper participant, however the hype surrounding his offensive potential is not hyperbole.
Michkov averaged 2.2 factors per recreation within the under-18 World Championships for Russia. That equaled what Alexander Ovechkin recorded on the identical stage whereas surpassing different future stars, like Ilya Kovalchuk (1.6) and Evgeni Malkin (1.4).
Throughout that point, he additionally flashed his abilities in Russia’s high skilled league, the KHL. Over 91 video games with SKA St. Petersburg and Sochi, he notched 66 factors (30 objectives, 36 assists) in 91 video games.
His distinctive mix of talent and anticipation with and with out the puck makes him a must-watch expertise this season. Not solely ought to he instantly enhance the Flyers’ fortunes, however he’ll additionally seemingly be a high contender for the Calder Trophy.
In the meantime, there are doubts about his aggressive stage on the opposite finish of the ice. However at a slender 5-foot-10, 147 kilos, Michkov typically outhustles opponents to free pucks and reveals a tenacity that needs to be simple to instill in him on protection as his recreation matures.
Largely thought of the second-best expertise behind Bedard, Michkov was surprisingly nonetheless on the board when the Flyers picked seventh in 2023. The hesitation from groups wasn’t a knock on his expertise however over issues concerning when he’d soar to North America.
On the time, the widespread perception was that Michkov would not be part of the NHL for at the least three years due primarily to his contract with SKA. That led the Anaheim Geese, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes (bear in mind them?) to go in one other course, permitting a possible generational expertise to fall to Philly.
It stays to be seen whether or not these groups remorse passing on Michkov. However they will all discover out ahead of anticipated.
