More Michkov hype to get you through the week.
More Michkov hype to get you through the week.
Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov has excited fans ever since he officially got drafted seventh overall in 2023, thoroughly impressing during his stint in the KHL, where he's contracted to play until at least 2026.
While his KHL season is officially over, missing out on the playoffs with HC Sochi (where he spent the season on loan), Michkov has received praise for his playing abilities from members of the team.
His Sochi teammate Artur Tyanulin spoke to Russian media outlet Championat about Michkov's playing style and on-ice personality, lauding his commitment to the sport.
"[He's] a hungry guy who doesn't like to lose; he has character," Tyanulin said. "He loves hockey to the core. He has a hockey heart, a hockey brain. [He] doesn't like to lose—not in training, anywhere...He is a super talented player."
He continued: "He has a very interesting style. I don't remember such a scoring instinct, this is the highest level. He has everything. He is a very talented hockey player. I hope that in the near future, he will play in the NHL."
Sochi head coach Dmitri Kokorev echoed the desire to see Michkov perform at the NHL level, highlighting the improvements in his defensive game as a key factor in preparing him for The Show.
"Michkov has definitely become stronger this year," he told Championat. "[He's a] good player. The main thing is defense. He has become much stronger at this point. This is very important, especially if he is thinking about going to the NHL."
It will likely still be a couple of years before fans see Michkov at the top level, but after receiving nothing but positive reviews and showcasing a skillset that goes beyond his 19 years.
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