Future Considerations: Why Matvey Michkov is a fascinating draft prospect

Starting today I’m excited to present a new weekly feature we're calling, Future Considerations.

Every Monday I will provide updates and insights on draft eligible prospects, free agents who are trending up at the junior and college levels, and European pros who are gaining traction overseas and could be signed by NHL teams.

When a Canadian NHL team is involved in trading, or acquiring, a prospect from another team I will provide some insight into what to expect from the player.

If there is an elite underage prospect who deserves recognition, we will track the player and report back to our readers.

Before I get started it’s important to recognize the additional insight my colleagues at Sportsnet provide. A day rarely goes by without Sam Cosentino and I reaching out to each other to share information into what we have been seeing across the prospect landscape.

The Curious Case For Matvei Michkov

Several NHL teams have suspended their scouting in Russia, which will have an impact on the prospects in consideration to be drafted

Matvei Michkov is an elite talent. Some of my colleagues have compared his skill set to that of Patrick Kane at the same age. I don’t generally like putting a label on a prospect since every draft class is different, but this kid is exceptional.

Michkov makes plays all over the ice.

He has a unique ability to spin off pressure with the puck on his stick when exiting his zone. He feels checks before the puck arrives on his stick. He recognizes what he is going to do before the actual play materializes. He’s gifted.

Off the rush, Michkov is a constant threat to create scoring chances. He is comfortable driving wide and pulling up to distribute. He’s also not shy about finding a seam in the middle of the ice, or off the edge, and positioning himself in high danger scoring areas on his own.

Surprisingly, for a player who is 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, he is involved in the hard areas, willing to extend plays along the boards or go to the crease in search of loose pucks.

In August Michkov suffered a knee injury in a pre-season game when he came across the middle and ran into former NHL defenceman Alexei Emelin. It wasn’t a dirty play. Emelin was gapping up, taking away space in the middle of his zone. The unfortunate injury has put Michkov on the shelf for an extended period of time. He tried to return recently, but has not suited up for a game in a couple weeks despite the fact he is back training.

One of the biggest hurdles NHL teams will have to wrap their mind around come draft day is the fact Michkov has a contract with SKA St.Petersburg (KHL) through 2025-26.

The 2023 draft class is elite and there are players in it who will arrive in the NHL before Michkov due to his contract status.

He might be worth the wait! Would you consider taking the risk if you were confident you were going to eventually see a player impact your scoring the same way Artemi Panarin has with the New York Rangers?

If Michkov was skating for a Major Junior team in North America his scenario would be completely different. It will be interesting to watch how NHL teams strategize his value as the year progresses.

(Note: When players suffer injury, scouting directors will reach out to the player's agent to request a “medical update” from their team doctors. The medical is dissected by the NHL team before the prospect is slotted into their draft list appropriately.)

WEEKLY UPDATE

Connor Bedard, RS/FWD, Regina, WHL, 2023 draft eligible

I’m a bit torn about writing too much about Bedard in this column. I want to bring attention to some of the other prospects for the 2023 draft. But I have to acknowledge the fact Bedard is off to a ridiculously elite start for Regina. He’s on pace for around 140 points. Does he cheat some on the defensive side at times? Absolutely. Can he take over an entire game offensively? No doubt!

Matthew Wood, RS/FWD, UCONN, Hockey East, 2023 draft eligible

UCONN is expecting Wood to energize their program and produce offensively. The sniper averaged almost two points per game in the BCHL last season and contributed two goals and three assists for Team Canada at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in August.

His college career is off to a solid start. He’s playing to his identity and being used at even strength and on the Huskies' first power play unit.

I appreciate his offensive upside but also have concerns about him not playing fast enough at times.

Dalibor Dvorsky, LS/FWD, AIK J20, AIK (Sweden), 2023 draft eligible

Dvorsky is experiencing some growing pains and now finds himself splitting time between the J20 and Allsvenskan with AIK. He’s an interesting player to monitor. There is a lot to like about his game. He has good size and can play both the middle and the wing. His most recent game at the pro level produced two assists and he was used on the power play. Bouncing back and forth between teams is not ideal and makes life difficult on scouts trying to track a prospect, but if his detail continues to improve he should find a permanent home playing for AIK’s team in Allsvenskan.

Adam Fantilli, LS/FWD, University of Michigan, Big Ten, 2023 draft eligible

Arguably the fastest skater in the 2023 draft class. He has exploded on the scene at Michigan, already producing eight points in four games. Fantilli is logging between 17-20 minutes of ice time, and is being used in all situations. For now some of my concerns about him playing too fast and not allowing the game to come to him at times is subsiding. He’s on record stating he wants to be in the conversation for the first pick overall. His play so far this season speaks for itself.

Oliver Bonk, RS/D, London Knights, OHL, 2023 draft eligible

The Knights are missing some key defencemen to start the season so Bonk is seeing quality minutes in all situations. In a recent viewing I witnessed Oliver becoming much more assertive. He’s a solid skater who has the speed to join or lead the rush offensively without compromising his defensive responsibilities.

Colby Barlow, LS/FWD, Owen Sound, OHL, 2023 draft eligible

After a bit of a slow start to the season Barlow has ramped up his production. Early in the season he was getting chances, but was snake-bitten by posts and big stops from opposing netminders. He’s a competitive player who leans goal scorer more than playmaker. I’m monitoring his quickness and identifying improvements along the way. He has the hockey IQ to be used in all situations.

William Whitelaw, RS/FWD, Youngstown, USHL, 2023 draft eligible

Whitelaw scored 110 points last year for Shattuck St. Mary’s so it’s safe to say he is on the radar. The USHL is traditionally difficult to score in. Whitelaw is undersized (5-foot-9, 172 pounds), but he’s not easy to bump off the play. Things came easy for him at the prep school level. He has some habits to break before embarking on his college career at Wisconsin. Offence is his element, though, and I’m monitoring his playmaking ability. There are times he tries to do everything himself.

Dylan MacKinnon, RS/D, Halifax, QMJHL, 2023 draft eligible

It will be interesting to see how teams value a player like MacKinnon. At the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament he contributed a valuable role for Team Canada. MacKinnon is a reliable two-way defenceman who has the legs to join the rush, but generally keeps the play in front of him, makes accurate outlets, and concentrates on keeping pucks out of his net. Match-up defenders are worth their weight in gold at the NHL level. His offensive numbers are not likely to ever jump off the stats page, though.

Sam Dickinson, LS/D, London Knights, OHL, 2024 draft eligible

Dickinson looks to be a complete player. He’s big (6-foot-3), involved, an excellent skater, shoots the puck accurately from distance, and he’s being used in all situations. Dickinson is a name to keep an eye on moving forward. I’m willing to bet he lands as a top five pick in the 2024 Draft.