The San Jose Sharks should select Matvei Michkov 4th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
The San Jose Sharks should draft Matvei Michkov at the 2023 NHL Draft.
The top two picks of this year's draft, Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, won't make it to San Jose as they select fourth, but after these two players, there isn't a true order of prospect level.
I have beat this drum multiple times since I started writing about the Sharks. To me, this pick makes the most sense. The biggest hesitation in selecting the Russian forward is that he is signed in the KHL through the 2025-26 season.
That would mean Michkov would not come to America for another three seasons. At first glance, that may seem like a major issue for teams considering drafting him, but for San Jose, I think it makes the most sense.
Although GM Mike Grier hasn't said the word "rebuild," the Sharks are rebuilding. They don't need Michkov to come to the NHL right away. He will develop in Russia and come into the NHL when the Sharks are three years further into improving their roster and prospect pool.
Grier met with the media after the Draft Lottery on Monday and said this about potentially drafting Michkov.
"We'll take in all that information and consider all the options. The good and bad and the pluses and minuses of all the players that will be options for us. I think it's something that we'll definitely discuss, but it's not anything that's going to take anyone off the table," Grier said.
Michkov is a 17-year-old who is a game-breaker offensively. In 27 games in the KHL for HK Sochi, the forward had 20 points. The KHL is a man's league, and for a 17-year-old, to have that kind of success should mean something.
In Russia's second league, the VHL, Michkov had 14 points in 12 games, including 10 goals.
His offensive talent is what makes him such a high prospect, and playing in the KHL will only help round out the rest of his game.
With where the Sharks stand as a rebuilding team waiting three years for Michkov to arrive is not the end of the world. Other prospects like Will Smith or Leo Carlsson could be possibilities, but I think Michkov is the choice, that is, if he is available at No. 4.