Here’s a link to my scouting report on Matvei Michkov I released yesterday. This is my analysis after watching over 20 games/condensed games of his from SKA-Neva, HK Sochi and Kapitan Stupino. I also watched 1 SKA game at the beginning of the season where he played 4 or 5 shifts lol.
Let’s give a shout out to the KHL/VHL website which is the best in the business! As someone who browse every single North American and European hockey website daily, nothing compares.
TL;DR/TL;DW – he’s a god and will be unstoppable.
by Eazy3006
6 Comments
No one doubt his talent. What’s problematic is his contractual situation
Craig Button’s comparable for Michkov is none other than Valeri Kharlamov. That is very very high praise indeed.
I think I’d take a shot at him IF we don’t move up
Aside from Markov, who are the other great russian players in the Habs’ history, among those who’v been developed in Montreal?
Really like the video, because it confirms my own opinions! 😂
I mentioned it before: Michkov is a high-level problem-solver. There isn’t a lot that you can do to contain him because he always seems to come up with a solution. His manipulation of defenses to create pockets of space for his linemates is elite. It’s like he plays with a top-down view of the ice and can precog the lanes that’ll open.
His skating speed isn’t great, but his elusiveness sort of compensates. He reminds me a bit of Patrick Kane in the way he can twist and turn and always manages to slide out of checking without needing to outrun the coverage.
I like the Kucherov comparison on the PP. I think Michkov is a more deliberate/hasty than Kucherov, but with experience that extra patience should come to him easily.
> Although he still has serious defensive issues where he’s failed to backcheck, he’s looked better. His hockey IQ does arise a massive issue. Michkov takes shots from anywhere without attempting to think out a play. He exits the defensive zones early because he’s quick to jump the gun, and he’s made poor puck decisions attacking the offensive zone
I think the Habs interview of this kid will decide it. If they think he’s teachable, especially with Marty doing the teaching, and they know his goal is the NHL then I don’t know how you pass up on him at 5 (assuming the first 4 go as expected). I guess it also depends on how high they are on Dvorsky and whether the Slovak factor plays any meaningful role in the decision.
What does a 1OA talent mean in this context? Because he sure as hell is NOT going 1OA this year.
Are you saying that if it were not for the sticky contract situation, that on potential alone he would go ahead of bedard? Becuase that is lunacy.
Our 1OA from last year is by definition a 1OA talent, but some drafts are strong, some are weak..