The answer to the question "when does the 2023 NHL Draft really start" is: "Whenever Matvei Michkov's name is called."
On skill alone, the Russian winger might be the one who could challenge Connor Bedard the most. He's slippery and highly creative, and don't be deceived by his 5-foot-10 frame, because there's enough strength there (and room to grow) that he's still able to frustrate opponents trying to deny him.
If all else were equal, Michkov may have been able to create some intrigue at the top of this draft, but there are other factors at play in his final ranking. He remains under contract in the KHL for another three seasons and in the current international climate there's no telling where we could be at that time. In terms of impact, Michkov gets compared to Kirill Kaprizov who instantly became the Wild's franchise player when he arrived six years after being drafted. Of course, Kaprizov was a fifth-round pick -- this year, teams have to put their chips down in Michkov somewhere in the top 10 (and possibly top five) overall.
Sam Cosentino and Jason Bukala give more context on the player...
Sam Cosentino on the player: Without a doubt this will be the player to watch on night one of the draft. His talent matches any of Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson. Like Bedard, Michkov's smaller than the other two at 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, but his skill projects as a top line scoring winger whose stick and puck skills dazzle as much as his ability to beat goalies, especially in tight.
Michkov’s legend began at 16 years old when he led Russia to gold at the Youth Olympic games with nine goals and 14 points. His legend grew at the 2021 U18’s where he was named tournament MVP, with 12 goals and 16 points, both tournament bests. He pulled off a similar performance at the 2021 Hlinka-Gretzky with a tournament-best eight goals and 13 points en route to gold.
This season, and most impressively, the young man was loaned from an older, more experienced SKA team to a younger Sochi team in the KHL just before Christmas. With more opportunity, his game took off in Sochi, where he scored nine goals and 20 points.
Teams will have to consider two key issues in drafting Michkov. First is the most obvious: the political climate that exists due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Second is his contract situation with the most powerful team in the KHL. Michkov is signed with SKA St. Petersburg through the end of the 2025-26 season, meaning that if an NHL team can pry him loose from Russia, they likely won’t be able to do so until the start of the 2026-27 season. That might beg the question: which NHL GM picking in the top 10 will still have his job when Michkov arrives?
The teams most likely to take a shot on Michkov are those with multiple first round picks or those that have had successful runs with Russian players in the past. Think Arizona, Washington, Detroit or St. Louis at picks six, eight, nine and 10 respectively.
Jason Bukala's scouting report: Dressed for teams at the junior level (MHL) and pro level (VHL and KHL) this season in Russia. Signed to a contract with SKA St. Petersburg that doesn’t expire until the spring of 2026.
Michkov is blessed with an elite brain offensively. Pucks literally find him, and when they do he capitalizes and scores.
Quick and slippery both along the wall and around the crease. Compact frame. Plenty of strength to protect pucks and shield opponents with his body. Difference maker offensively. Top line NHL upside.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.