Matvei Michkov

June 2023 – Michkov has been selected 7th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2023 NHL Draft. Curtis Rines

April 2023 – Much like Bedard and Fantilli, Michkov entered his draft season with sky-high, almost unfair, expectations of him. And just like those players ahead of him, Michkov shattered those expectations with impressive play in the KHL, one of the best leagues in the world outside of the NHL. Michkov had a record-setting draft year in the KHL with 9 goals and 11 assists in 30 games, although in three of those games he played only a minute or two with SKA St. Petersburg and did not find the scoresheet. Still, the 0.67 points per game pace was the best per game mark for a draft-eligible player in league history. Michkov’s season took off after a mid-season loan to HK Sochi where he consistently played big minutes for the team. Michkov’s intensity and compete level reached new heights after being questioned earlier in the year in the VHL. His skating has also improved from his D-1 season and now looks to grade out as slightly above the NHL average. Finally, Michkov’s transition game, playmaking, and shooting all translated seamlessly to the KHL and he was able to consistently get to high-danger areas to shoot, while setting teammates up for grade-A opportunities as well. If this was any other draft, Michkov would easily be at the top of our draft board. Jordan Harris

September 2022 – The story behind Michkov is a tricky one. He was long considered to be a challenger to Connor Bedard for the first overall pick but is probably a lot closer to names like Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson than Bedard. He spent last season in Russia, where he has a contract for the next four seasons, and that will probably impact his draft stock. He has already played a ton of games against men – even at the national team level – and has played impressively there. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing him in the international tournaments this season – for obvious and unfortunate reasons.

If Bedard is already an NHL-level goal scorer, so is Michkov. He might not have as powerful a shot as Bedard, but he releases it quickly, and it is deadly accurate. He also has a unique skill of scoring goals from seemingly impossible angles and situations on a consistent basis. Basically, he doesn’t even need a scoring chance to score. He has incredible puck skills and has also mastered the lacrosse move – or whatever you want to call it, and will probably score at least one of those this season. Michkov is not only a goal scorer, though, as he has a very versatile offensive toolkit. He can build a rush, deke players out, or make a great pass. He can control the puck in the offensive zone and is constantly looking for free space when off the puck. It probably goes without saying that he’s an excellent powerplay weapon as well – a real dual threat. If something is a bit concerning, it’s Michkov’s defensive game and smallish figure. He also doesn’t really play bigger than he is – unlike Bedard. Even with those slight concerns, he will be one of the top players in this class and could hold onto the second spot on draft boards all season. Eetu Siltanen