Montreal Canadiens Draft Prospect Profile: Matvei Michkov

Welcome to another prospect profile here on A Winning Habit, where we learn more about some players the Canadiens could potentially select with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. This is the seventh edition, where we will be looking at defensive prospect Matvei Michkov. You can find the rest of the prospect profiles here:

• Will Smith
• Leo Carlsson
• Dalibor Dvorsky
• Zach Benson
• Ryan Leonard
• David Reinbacher

Michkov played in the KHL this year for HK Sochi, on loan from SKA St. Petersburg, where he put up 20 points in 27 games. Michkov also played three games for SKA St. Petersburg before leaving on loan, where he failed to register a point, albeit with very little ice time. In total, the Russian had 20 points in 30 games, a clip of .67 points per game, the most ever for a draft-eligible player in KHL history. Michkov has been coined as the best Russian prospect since Alexander Ovechkin, something he’s been able to live up to for now.

Player Rundown

Team: HK Sochi/SKA St Petersburg (KHL)

Height/Weight: 5’10″/148 lbs

Position: Winger

Shoots: Left

DOB: Dec 9th, 2004

Hometown: Perm, Russia

Analysis & NHL Projection

There was a point where Matvei Michkov was being compared to Connor Bedard, having established himself as one of the top two prospects in this draft class. That’s because Michkov is an incredibly talented player that has the makings of being a superstar in the NHL. He’s a magician with the puck on his stick, both as a playmaker and a scorer, already possessing an NHL calibre shot. Some people have questioned his ability to become a stud at the NHL level due to his size, but there’s a reason it hasn’t stopped him so far. He’s too good. If you try and hit him, he’ll make you look silly. Michkov is an offensive machine, the kind that will be on highlight reels for years to come at the NHL level.

The list of skilled offensive players in this draft better than Michkov is very short, with perhaps just Connor Bedard ahead of him. Michkov is just so dynamic offensively, capable of doing so many things, all of which should translate to the NHL, whenever that may be. I have no doubts that he is a 100-point player at the NHL level and a perennial point-per-game player, especially in the right environment. He’s already thrived in one of the toughest leagues the sport has to offer; it’s hard to imagine he won’t be able to continue his brilliance in the NHL.

Now Michkov isn’t a perfect prospect, as legitimate concerns about his defensive game exist. But that’s true for several NHL superstars, including, but not limited to, Alexander Ovechkin. It’s hard to hold that against him, especially if a team desperate for offense has the chance to pick him. I think with Michkov, all the positives greatly outweigh the negatives, and they shouldn’t hold him back from reaching his potential.

Matvei Michkov Draft Projection

On talent alone, Michkov is a top-three pick and a likely first-overall pick in many other drafts, including the 2022 draft, where the Habs picked first. Of course, with Michkov, there’s more to him and his draft projection due to his contract, which keeps him in Russia for three more seasons following the draft. This, and the current political landscape in Russia, has left a giant cloud of doubt hovering over Michkov’s head, fair or not. This makes it really hard to project where he’ll land in the draft, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he was selected anywhere from 3-12. A more detailed explanation, as well as a justification for a team to select him regardless, can be found here.

Michkov’s Fit With The Canadiens

I’ll be honest with you, I would draft Michkov in a heartbeat, politics and all. If Michkov doesn’t fit, you make it so that he does. The Canadiens have been starved for offensive talent for so long, and there’s a decent chance Michkov will be there at five. If I were Kent Hughes, I’d have a really tough time turning that down. Sure, you have to wait three years before he can join the squad, but fans have waited nearly 40 years for a 100-point scorer. What’s three more?

At this point, I sound like a broken record, constantly clamoring for more skill on the Canadiens, but I say it because it’s true. If the Canadiens pass on Michkov, you’d better be adding another talented forward. I also really like Zach Benson and think he has tremendous upside as well. But if you’re going to pass on Michkov to take a defenseman, you’ve lost me. The Habs have stated they want to get better at scoring. Kent Hughes said it in his opening press conference. Here is a perfect opportunity to do so. I’m of the belief they need, not should, NEED to fix it.

There’s certainly a possibility Michkov isn’t available at five, in which case a different, skilled forward will be. Regardless the opportunity cannot be wasted. If the Habs do pick Michkov, it will be a painful wait, as I’m sure fans will be salivating at what he can do as he tears up the KHL. But in the end, I’m betting the wait will be worth it, as it has been for a number of other Russian players that finally made the jump to the NHL.

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