Report: Capitals 'Seriously Aimed' At Michkov Going Into 2023 NHL Draft; Prospect Told Not To Talk To NHL Teams

Per a Russian report, an expert close to teams says that the Capitals are all in on Michkov going into the draft.

With the first three picks of the 2023 NHL Draft pretty much set in stone, all attention of late has turned to Russian prospect Matvei Michkov, who is both a top talent and an enigma -- one that the Washington Capitals appear not to want to pass on.

Per reports, Washington is all in on Michkov, who is arguably Russia's top prospect since Alex Ovechkin.

An expert source close to teams picking in the top 10 of the 2023 NHL Draft told Match.TV that Washington is "seriously aimed" at taking Michkov if he falls to No. 8, and the only competitor the Capitals have to watch for are the San Jose Sharks at No. 4.

He also said that Michkov was told not to talk to NHL representatives who have asked to meet with him, as he's under contract for the next three years with the KHL's SKA Saint Petersburg, owned by the country's top energy giant, Gazprom.

"No one will be confused that he dismissed the representatives of NHL teams that came to him in Russia. If he doesn't want to, he won't communicate... he was told not to talk to overseas representatives, so he doesn't speak," the expert said in the translated interview. "This is clear to the teams [in the top 10] queue... there are a million factors besides talent."

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week that it was becoming almost impossible for any teams to talk with Michkov before the NHL draft, which has led to some questions around the league as to whether or not he may be trying to maneuver his way down the draft rankings to play for a certain club.

Michkov's hands, high hockey IQ, speed and creativity make him one of the most exciting players available early on, but given the risk of not having a player ready to come into the league for another three years, reported character issues and other risks surrounding Michkov, the expert said that it's "hard to imagine" the Montreal Canadiens, Arizona Coyotes or Philadelphia Flyers going for him if he doesn't go to the Sharks.

As for the Capitals, they are willing to take that risk. Washington is no stranger to taking Russians still under KHL contract. Evgeny Kuznetsov was signed with Traktor but terminated his contract to come overseas in 2014. Ivan MIroshnichenko was taken at No. 20 last year and just terminated his KHL contract to sign his NHL entry-level deal and come overseas starting this year.

Not only that, there's the Alex Ovechkin factor, and the team seems to be the right fit for the 18-year-old.

"The Capitals will definitely take him... according to my information, the Capitals are seriously aimed at Michkov," the expert said, adding, "At eighth, Washington won't get a player who will be able to play in the NHL tomorrow. At the same time, the team's waiting to rebuild, so the Capitals are ready to work with Michkov for a long time."

In 30 games this season in the KHL with HK Sochi and SKA, Michkov had nine goals and 11 assists. His draft season numbers were better than Ovechkin's in 2004, adding to the hype.

The 2023 NHL Draft is June 28-29 in Nashville.