Matvei Michkov will be a popular man in the NHL Draft next week.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the top-ranked prospect among international skaters will be in Nashville for the event and several NHL teams have scheduled interviews with him ahead of draft day.
“Suffice it to say they can’t wait to get to know him a little better,” McKenzie wrote on Twitter Monday. No elite NHL prospect had fewer live viewings/interactions with NHL GMs, executives and scouts during his draft year than Michkov. ”
Michkov, ranked first among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting, did not attend the Combine in Buffalo earlier this month, where the interview process is normal.
If the Chicago Blackhawks will undoubtedly turn to Connor Bedard in the first place, the Anaheim Ducks (2nd), the Columbus Blue Jackets (3rd), the San Jose Sharks (4th), the Montreal Canadiens (5th) , the Arizona Coyotes (6th) and the Philadelphia Flyers (7th) will probably want to speak with the intriguing prospect.
Michkov is both one of the most talented hopes of the next selection session and its biggest joker. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the fact that he has three years left on his KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg has NHL teams weighing the risk of his situation against his potential. .
The 18-year-old has nine goals and 11 assists in 27 games while on loan with HK Sochi in the KHL this season.
The IIHF has banned Russia and Belarus from international tournaments, which has prevented Michkov from competing against his peers on the big stage this season.
At the 2021 U18 World Cup in Texas, Michkov was the tournament’s best player, earning the Most Valuable Player and Top Forward honors after scoring 12 goals and 16 points in seven games. In five games at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he helped Russia win gold with eight goals and 13 points. The 17-year-old also scored three goals in two games at the 2022 World Youth Championships, before the event was cancelled.
The NHL Draft will take place June 28-29.
