Matvei Michkov's agent, Sergei Fedotov, clarified comments about him not wanting to be taken by the Capitals. It's a moot point now, though, because the focus should be on Ryan Leonard.
The Washington Capitals were heavily linked to Matvei Michkov going into the 2023 NHL Draft, as the team was said to be "seriously aimed" at taking him eighth overall while others speculated that Michkov wanted to land in D.C. Ultimately, though, Michkov was taken by the Philadelphia Flyers at No. 7, and the Capitals selected Ryan Leonard.
Following the draft, Michkov's agent, Sergei Fedotov, told reporters that Michkov didn't want to fall to Washington. He clarified those comments in an interview with Sports-Express on Friday, explaining that it wasn't Michkov's "long-standing dream" to go to D.C. but that if he did, he wouldn't have caused "drama" about it.
In the end, it doesn't matter; Leonard was the exact right pick for the Capitals, and he's exactly what the team needs going forward.
Washington had tried to move up and be aggressive on the trade front, but nothing panned out there. Assistant general manager Ross Mahoney said that the Capitals weren't surprised to see Michkov taken at No. 7 and added that the team had other players in mind, including Leonard.
When Leonard was still available, it was a surprise to management and a no-brainer to take the NTDP forward.
"I thought he was going to go two or three picks ahead of us, so we're really excited that he was there," Mahoney told reporters in Nashville.
There's no truth or confirmation that Washington had wanted to move up solely for Michkov's services, as the team figured that Leonard would be an earlier selection, too.
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And landing Leonard should be the main takeaway, as the Capitals got an absolute gamer of a pick.
Leonard is the kind of player that can help lead the Capitals' future core; He's a competitive player who doesn't take a shift off and brings power, grit and physicality to the ice on a nightly basis. He can also play a steady two-way game and possesses strong skating ability.
The 6-foot, 190-pound winger can win puck battles at both ends and use his speed and size to his advantage, and he can also get to the dangerous areas and score using his quick hands and powerful shot.
Leonard also has the can-do attitude that Washington looks for. He is a mix of T.J. Oshie and Tom Wilson, possessing relentless energy, coachability and a positive work ethic. He is also well-liked by his teammates and can take on a leadership role, as he showcased over his time with the NTDP program and Washington's development camp.
Considering the Alex Ovechkin era is ending and the fact that the team's core, which consists of him, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Oshie, is aging, having a player like Leonard join the mix in the coming years will be beneficial for the organization, especially as it aims to retool and get younger while also facing a potential rebuild down the road.
While Michkov was arguably the second-best player from a talent standpoint available in the draft behind only Connor Bedard, there was a lot of mystery and uncertainty surrounding him. The talent and upside are there, but that's not all that goes into a player; there's attitude, responsibility and more standards to take into account.
There had been claims of alleged character issues and concerns surrounding Michkov (which even came from a Capitals scout himself), and it's also worth noting that Michkov also got into a fight with Washington prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko during a Russian junior team training session. Between that, his lengthy KHL contract and more, the red flags surrounding Michkov were not worth it.
In the end, Leonard is a safe bet and has the drive and character that this team needs going into its next era, and that's where the spotlight should be, not on whether or not Michkov wanted to come to the organization.
Leonard is headed to Boston College in the fall, but don't be surprised if his NCAA run comes to an end and he's playing in the Show before he graduates.