Matvei Michkov

A 17 year old off handed Russian wing whose goal scoring touch already ranks with the top dozen NHL scorers. He continues to match Connor Bedard’s impressive scoring feats with astounding moves with his amazingly soft hands. Match his toolbox is his outstanding determination and fierce competitive drive. Like Patrick Kane, Nikita Kucherov, he wants the puck on his stick when it is go time. His soft fast hands are worth the time for you to go to YouTube and look at a few of his goals. He seems to find the tiniest crack in the opposition’s defenders and the the tiniest opening in the net. In the World Junior U-20 this 17 year old saw his team was down 4-1 to Sweden in the third period and came out and scored to ridiculous goals. Russia was not permitted to send their under-18 team to the Worlds so we have no evidence that the shine has dulled from his brilliance. In August 2022, he suffered a serious knee injury which will take several months to rehab. This and that fact that he signed a contract with SKA St. Petersburg until after the 2025/2026 season, and the Russian attack on the Ukraine may see him languish on the draft board until there is a team that is confident that they can get him to North America. That doesn't mean he isn't second best player in this draft class, not far behind Bedard.

                                                     --Bill Płaczek--