Penguins Draft Profiles: Matvei Michkov
The most impressive Russian prospect in years may slip down the draft boards to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are inching closer to the 2023 NHL Draft, and there has been very little buzz surrounding the team moving their first round pick. Instead, it seems more likely the team will use their first round pick this year to kickstart their prospect restocking. At the same time, there are several prospects that are seeing their stock fall leading up to the big day. One of those prospects is Matvei Michkov, a highly touted Russian prospect with superstar potential.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFRjHH3z2RA[/embed]
Essentials:
Position: Winger
Shoots: Left
Height and Weight: 5’10 and 160 pounds
NHL central scouting: 2nd
Elite Prospects: 4th
The Hockey News: 4th
2022-23 Team: SKA St. Petersburg/ Sochi (KHL)
2022-23 Stats: KHL- 30 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 P
Player Breakdown:
Besides Connor Bedard, there is not a better hockey player available in the 2023 draft than Michkov. No disrespect to ultra-talented Adam Fantilli, Will Smith, and Leo Carlsson, but Michkov is clearly in front of all three players and it isn't particularly close in this writer's eyes.
The best Russian prospect since Kirill Kaprizov has sky-high potential and talent, and draws you in with his offensive game each time he steps on the ice. It doesn't take long to see just how special of a player Michkov is, and once you start watching, it's hard to stop.
Michkov is an offensive juggernaut. He’s creative, dynamic, and explosive with the puck. It’s hard to select one aspect of his game that stands out the most, because he makes offense look effortless.
His shot is his most feared asset, and he’s earned that by beating goaltenders all over the ice with his wrist shot. He can set up for the one timer and pinpoint it, but his snap and wrist shots are things of beauty. He has an elusive and lightning quick release that is downright lethal. Goaltenders regularly struggle to track the puck off of his stick.
Michkov is undoubtedly a sniper, but he’s far from a one dimensional player. An incredibly underrated skill of his is passing. Michkov is an electric playmaker. He sees plays develop before they happen and he never fails to place the puck where it needs to be. He has eyes in the back of his head, and he is always able to deliver the puck expertly to his teammates. Whether it's a simple drop pass or a no-look, cross-ice feed, you can trust that Michkov will make the best play to create a scoring chance.
He figures to be a top of the lineup player at the NHL level. He’ll be a first liner, a power play specialist, and the guy you want on the ice when you’re down by a goal. He has 30 goal and 100 point potential in the NHL. Anyone who drafts Michkov is drafting a future superstar and all-star
What Needs to Improve:
Michkov’s biggest concern is his level of compete. When he’s in the offensive zone, you’ll never question it, but defensively he leaves much to be desired. He doesn’t ignore defense by any means, but he can be guilty of puck watching in his own zone.
Where his level of compete really sticks out is on the forecheck. Something Michkov rarely does is pursue defenders into the corner or behind the net when retrieving the puck. Instead, he’ll peel off or circle back once the defenseman turns his back. He’ll need to be more dogged and engaged on the forecheck in the NHL if he wants to see serious ice time.
NHL Comparison: Nikita Kucherov
NHL ETA: 2026-27
The big worry about Michkov is how long it will take to bring him to North America. He’s under contract through 2026 in the KHL, but that's only part of the problem. The other major aspect is whether he will be required to serve a year of military service (which all Russian men between ages 18-27 are legally obligated to do) prior to leaving Russia, which could add an extra year of waiting.
His status moving forward is unclear to NHL organizations, and is a gamble some aren't willing to take. Many teams are wary of selecting or signing Russian players in general after several experienced pushback or even were outright prohibited from returning to North America over the past two years due to this legality.
This combination of questions means that no one knows for sure when Michkov will be in the NHL, and that is the big reason he is slipping down the draft boards. It's a risk, certainly, but once he's in the NHL, he will be exceptional. Should he continue to descend down the board, the Penguins would be granted a wish come true. He will most likely go in the top 10 regardless of the uncertainty, but the Penguins can continue to dream and hope.
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