Is it worth the risk for the Arizona Coyotes to draft Matvei Michkov if he were available at the sixth overall pick?
Should the Arizona Coyotes select right winger Matvei Michkov if he is available at the teams’ sixth overall pick?
The Russian native comes into the 2023 NHL Draft as one of the most interesting prospects. Aside from projected first overall pick Connor Bedard, Michkov is arguably on the top of the list when it comes to pure raw talent.
This past season, Michkov played for HK Sochi of the KHL where he had nine goals, 11 assists and 20 points in 27 games. Michkov’s offensive skill set is incredible which is why he very well may be a can’t miss prospect.
“He’s one of the most creative and intelligent offensive players I’ve seen in the last few years,” The Athletic’s Corey Pronman wrote. “He combines his incredible puck skills with a true elite goal-scoring instinct. He anticipates the play and attacks defenders differently than other forwards and always seems to find ways to figure into scoring chances despite not being the biggest or fastest. He can make plays at a high level, but Michkov is a finisher who will score a lot of goals as a pro.”
Michkov has the talent to be an elite goal scorer if he reaches his highest potential in the NHL. The 18-year-old already has an electrifying shot which makes him a threat to score whenever he touches the puck.
With all this being said, why wouldn’t the Coyotes select Michkov?
Here is where it gets tricky. Michkov is under contract with the KHL until the 2026 season so the Coyotes would have to wait at least three more years before Michkov is eligible to enter the NHL. For any general manager it is a risk selecting a wild card like Michkov.
“What if he decides he never wants to play in the NHL?” asked one scout via TSN. “You would think he’ll eventually want to [play in the NHL] but is it guaranteed? In today’s world, you just don’t know for sure.”
Arizona already has a star right winger in 24-year-old Clayton Keller so that specific position is not really a need for the team at this moment in time.
It's an interesting dilemma for the Coyotes. On the one hand Michkov could be a generational type player but are the Coyotes willing to wait a minimum of three years for him to come to the United States.
If Michkov is on the board at the sixth overall pick, Coyotes’ General Manager Bill Armstrong sure will have a lot to think about.
The NHL Draft is set to begin on June 28 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.