With Matvei Michkov potentially coming to the Flyers two years earlier than expected, there might be five NHL teams kicking themselves this season, says Ken Campbell.
Matvei MichkovIt's a phrase that has been around hockey seemingly forever, but one that has gotten a lot more work lately - the Russian Factor.
It's a very real thing, and some teams stay away from Russian players, regardless of their talent level, because they've been burned one or two times in the past. Funny how North America produces its fair share of players who turn out to be pooches, but nobody shies away from them.
The latest in this phenomenon is Matvei Michkov, who scared away NHL teams and fell to seventh overall in 2023 because he wasn't supposed to be available until at least the 2026-27 season. But with reports that he will be released from his KHL team and could sign with the Philadelphia Flyers within weeks is another example that the Russian Factor is often a sheep in wolf's clothing.
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