Prospect Info: Round 1, 7th overall: Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

[Hollywood Cannon]

Whats his contract status in Russia?

Three more years.

 

[flyershockey]

I'm relishing in the fact that this is counter to the first round philosophy for basically forever for the Flyers. We might actually have our first game breaking talent since Giroux.

 

[mr4tno]

This pick gives me joy because of the player but it also gives me joy because Bob Clarke is somewhere out there shaking his fist in disgust for taking a Russian.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

@Deadpool8812

MSN

Although most scouting services have Michkov ranked at a top-five prospect, many scouts and general managers have been speculating he could fall beyond the No. 5 pick for a handful of reasons—the most significant of which being he’s under contract with SKA Saint Petersburg in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League through the 2025-26 season.​

​

But if his contract status weren’t an issue, just how high would Michkov be picked?​

​

“Michkov would seriously be in the conversation for us if we had the No. 2 pick,” an anonymous NHL executive told The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. “I get all the risks but he could honestly push Bedard in terms of pure ability.”​

​

“I believe he is closer to challenging Bedard at No. 1 than most people think,” FC Hockey scout Jake Janso said. “While Bedard boasts a more well-rounded and mature game, he does not have the pure offensive upside that Michkov does. If everything breaks right for Michkov, he may end up being the most prolific scorer from this class.”​

​

Reports indicate that Michkov won’t make it past the Washington Capitals at pick No. 8. And with Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin, it’s easy to connect the dots as to why.​

​

If teams were drafting based purely on talent, there’s a good chance Michkov would go second overall behind Bedard. However, waiting a minimum of three years before Michkov can even play in an NHL arena might be enough to scare off enough teams that the talented Russian falls into someone’s lap.​

 

[CutOnDime97]

Whats his contract status in Russia?

Contract ends after 25-26

 

[mr4tno]

This pick gives me joy because of the player but it also gives me joy because Bob Clarke is somewhere out there shaking his fist in disgust for taking a Russian.

Plus the added bonus - he scored Michigan goals! Sorry Tortorella

 

[philly_28]

Curious, has the Flyers EVER drafted a Russian in the 1st round?

Provorov was 7th overall in '15.

 

[Hollywood Cannon]

 

[IronMarshal]

Finally got a potential superstar

 

[flyershockey]

Provorov was 7th overall in '15.

Rubstov as well..

 

[FLYguy3911]

But seriously, does this have him drafted above Bedard?

By a hair, yes. It weights KHL production probably a bit too heavy though. He's not close to Bedard.

 

[Deadpool8812]

@Deadpool8812

MSN

Although most scouting services have Michkov ranked at a top-five prospect, many scouts and general managers have been speculating he could fall beyond the No. 5 pick for a handful of reasons—the most significant of which being he’s under contract with SKA Saint Petersburg in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League through the 2025-26 season.​

​

But if his contract status weren’t an issue, just how high would Michkov be picked?​

​

“Michkov would seriously be in the conversation for us if we had the No. 2 pick,” an anonymous NHL executive told The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. “I get all the risks but he could honestly push Bedard in terms of pure ability.”​

​

“I believe he is closer to challenging Bedard at No. 1 than most people think,” FC Hockey scout Jake Janso said. “While Bedard boasts a more well-rounded and mature game, he does not have the pure offensive upside that Michkov does. If everything breaks right for Michkov, he may end up being the most prolific scorer from this class.”​

​

Reports indicate that Michkov won’t make it past the Washington Capitals at pick No. 8. And with Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin, it’s easy to connect the dots as to why.​

​

If teams were drafting based purely on talent, there’s a good chance Michkov would go second overall behind Bedard. However, waiting a minimum of three years before Michkov can even play in an NHL arena might be enough to scare off enough teams that the talented Russian falls into someone’s lap.​

Worth the wait then

 

[Magua]

 

[Starat327]

Sweet. 3 years to fire Torts. See you all in 2026

 

[CutOnDime97]

3 years

 

[tictactoe]

Whats his contract status in Russia?

until 25-26

 

[BillDineen]

 

[TCTC]

@Deadpool8812

MSN

Although most scouting services have Michkov ranked at a top-five prospect, many scouts and general managers have been speculating he could fall beyond the No. 5 pick for a handful of reasons—the most significant of which being he’s under contract with SKA Saint Petersburg in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League through the 2025-26 season.​

​

But if his contract status weren’t an issue, just how high would Michkov be picked?​

​

“Michkov would seriously be in the conversation for us if we had the No. 2 pick,” an anonymous NHL executive told The Athletic’s Corey Pronman. “I get all the risks but he could honestly push Bedard in terms of pure ability.”​

​

“I believe he is closer to challenging Bedard at No. 1 than most people think,” FC Hockey scout Jake Janso said. “While Bedard boasts a more well-rounded and mature game, he does not have the pure offensive upside that Michkov does. If everything breaks right for Michkov, he may end up being the most prolific scorer from this class.”​

​

Reports indicate that Michkov won’t make it past the Washington Capitals at pick No. 8. And with Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin, it’s easy to connect the dots as to why.​

​

If teams were drafting based purely on talent, there’s a good chance Michkov would go second overall behind Bedard. However, waiting a minimum of three years before Michkov can even play in an NHL arena might be enough to scare off enough teams that the talented Russian falls into someone’s lap.​

It seems we're lucky we've just started our rebuild and the FO has accepted the fact that it may take a few years. Timing is everything.

 

[CutOnDime97]

Meanwhile in St. Petersburg

 

[Young Sandwich]

I'm thinking about learning Russian so I can hear all these witty quotes right from Matvei's mouth. What a stud.

 

[Hollywood Cannon]

I'm thinking about learning Russian so I can hear all these witty quotes right from Matvei's mouth. What a stud.

What if he’s saying something completely different but PR Master Keith Jones is the one translating?

 

[Magua]

I can go link some MHL games on YouTube later. Have to dig a bit.

 

[Hollywood Cannon]

I forgot about that entire situation. Typical Russia.

 

[wankstifier]

Let's goooooooooooooo!

 

[Lurch]

Great, now Fedotov has a line mate.