How GOOD Has Matvei Michkov Been So Far...?

[@GravitehHockey]

Michkov has had an eventful start to his NHL career! What are YOUR thoughts on Michkov's rookie season so far? And is he YOUR Calder frontrunner right now? If not him, who else? Let me know!

[@Thumbdown-nf7sz]

He’s better than Bedard. No one will admit it though.

[@dustinmcdougall2674]

Idc what stinkyoven does he played so many games last year and is 21 years old so if that’s the case Tyson Foerster should have been mentioned for Calder last year who played much less games and had a few less goals than Bedard with 0 mention!! Michkov ALL THE WAY!!

[@jt1728]

Flyers fan here. Honestly it's been so long since we've had a must see player, and he's somehow surpassed what my expectations were coming into the season. His defensive game isn't going to get him the selke, but he's more than capable thus far. The sheer # of opportunities that he creates that have not been converted gives you hope that his #'s while at a point per game can go up. He catches his own guys off guard when the puck is magically tape to tape and they never expected it. Most of all, he's fit in and just loves playing hockey. It's refreshing.

[@aqn1976]

Dead on analysis!!! I hope he wins the Calder while the team lands a top 3 pick (which looks good right now lol) because he will need more help in the future!!!

[@johnnygaudreau2928]

He’s actually better than Bedard.

[@straightcashhomey1261]

A lot better

[@johnnygaudreau2928]

Also hope no one get offended by name or picture I made this account years ago as a Flyers fan when I thought FORSURE Gaudreau was going to be a Flyer 😭💔

[@kaiizol]

he has 7 points in his first 7 games for reference, Connor Bedard had 4 points in his first 7 games the scary part is that michkov should have at least 3 more points but his teammates can't finish in front of an open net to save their lives

[@Baronvanhausen88]

Bedard started a year younger

[@ThatGuyAlex69]

Bedard also had WAY worse linemates

[@kaiizol]

@@ThatGuyAlex69 my point is both are producing on bad teams and that the hype both got is warranted

[@LarryLevantine]

Michkov's skill is definitely higher but Bedard is a better skater. If Michkov could skate like Bedard, Michkov would easily be a 100+ point player this year. Skating is something he can learn and get better at, you can't teach somebody the skill and IQ he has.

[@TylerTR95]

@@LarryLevantine one thing i notice too, like his technique looks good and smooth but hes just not very fast.

[@chinchilla2971]

Life long pens fan and really enjoy watching him play. You can tell he’s the best offensive talent they have by far. Hope he keeps it up.

[@jt1728]

I know the comps to Sid are crazy, but he's got similar traits. Strong on his skates, sneaky as hell at disappearing when you know they are the best player on the ice, and with an IQ to be ahead of everyone and the bounces. Not fast, but not slow either. If he ends up even at 75% of what 87 became its a win for hockey.

[@sirfish9824]

@@jt1728nah more like kucherov when he gets man muscle and fills out he’ll look even more like him.

[@typhant4043]

Good to hear from Pens fans like you. Gl on the playoff push

[@billblake9665]

# 66

[@enasty1257]

michkov has been as advertised and our mvp. love what im seeing so far. the rest of the team has yet to show up this season.

[@Thumbdown-nf7sz]

IMO he’s a better all around player than Bedard and he’s proving it every game he plays. It’s crazy to see how fast he’s adapting and legitimately might already be the best player on the Flyers. (Might not be saying much) but he’s 19 coming to a new country and new league and style of hockey. At this rate I think his future is looking very very bright. Excited to watch him flourish hope Flyers build a team around him better than they did Giroux.

[@trents6166]

I’m hoping Danny can build a team to capitalize on his prime. He’s so incredible to watch

[@jerryrick4685]

Michkov is struggling out there, he's playing very bad hockey lately and doesn't look like a calder candidate

[@ryanlee8932]

Finally some unbiased analysis of the kid

[@SirHimothyy]

He’s already the Best player on Philly. I wanna see Giroux come back and play with him 😢

[@DMOWAIVERS]

Yeah except Giroux was all star caliber at his peak. Michkov is another level above anyone the flyers have had in decades.

[@johnnygaudreau2928]

@@DMOWAIVERS yeah he’s Lindros Level. G was a diamond in the rough. Still a Franchise Goat tho

[@KevinMucerino]

Well I’ve been a Flyers fan since their first Cup over Boston but nobody has been More Exceptional then Lindros when he first started in 1991 just Michkov is playing with a whole different team then Lindros

[@straightcashhomey1261]

He could have 15 points if his teammates could finish. He really is a hockey genius, then add in driven to be great with a mean streak,

[@danclark4416]

that goal on Saturday against Minnesota was f*ckin tasty

[@straightcashhomey1261]

Was at the game yesterday. Even though he only had two points, he was responsible for almost every goal. It’s ridiculous how good he is already, on a smaller rink in a different country where he can barely communicate with his teammates.

[@arihia45]

i cannot for the life of me understand why so many here want him to fail, and i'm guessing most of them are essentially habs fans. Envy is a real thing, they will never admit to the fact that habs management blew it in the 2023 draft.

[@MDToboggan]

It's a lot of Bedard fans as well from what I've seen

[@arihia45]

@@MDToboggan true, they feel threatened by Michkov for some reason. Fanaticism is something else.

[@kaiizol]

@@arihia45 they hate him because 1. he's a philly athlete 2. the bedard stans have to admit there's a reason these two were being compared

[@GOCAPSDMV]

Well I’m a caps fan I don’t want him to succeed 🤣

[@arihia45]

@@kaiizol quite frankly, bedard has not lived up to the hype

[@nguoibantotnhat]

Mich is a huge instinctive talent that is not afraid of dirty works

[@unholyhairdo64]

I watched every Flyers game so far, the whole team so far is pretty bad on 5-5. Their special teams look decent. Michkov beefed up, I believe he is 190lbs . Before he got to the NHL people were saying he didn’t play defense at all & just waited at the red line waiting for the puck. He’s no Patrice Bergeron but he has been putting the effort in and back checking. It’s a shame him and Konecny are both natural right wingers because they def have chemistry. People forget how young this team is, it’s going to be interesting going forward, they have some really good prospects e.g Luchanko, Bonk, Barkley, Kolosov and possibly the next amazing Russian goalie-Yegor Zavragin. Also they have six picks in the top 40-50 in the draft.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Great Video, as usual, Nathan.

[@codswag8053]

I think as someone that has been to every home game and watched him in person i’m qualified to say this. his puck protection, hockey sense away from the puck, and ability to make plays where most can’t is incredible. he’s an incredible passer and has 9 points in 8 games. sure most of them have been power play points but look at the team he is on.

[@MasonG88]

Hagens and Michkov will feed families

[@R376yt]

Michkov as a prospect showed better aspects than Hagens is currently because he played in Russia, while US guys or Canadians are chippy, they are kinda soft defensively and Michkov shows he is trying to play better defensively. Time will tell but Michkov is underrated to me still to this day.

[@sirfish9824]

@@R376ytyeah Michkov has that konecny in him. He punches dudes in the mouth after the whistle😂

[@R376yt]

@@sirfish9824 I mean that's the flyers for you no matter what

[@gold6759]

I hope that happens that would be amazing

[@sasso09]

I just have one question...... #3 prospect coming into this year? He was hands down the clear #1.... who the hell did you have over him? Please don't tell me DeMIDov?

[@Badnercalabrese]

Might take him some time to adjust to the 5v5 but if anybody has been watching games... He's set up his linemates a bunch of times who fumbled the chance. I reckon he should have another 2-3 even strength assists 🍎

[@tomslick2058]

And thd Hawks pass on Demidov

[@teeganreed7989]

As a Hawks fan I’m still upset about that

[@jasonvoorheesthethird]

@@teeganreed7989and as a Habs fan I’m still mad that they’ve passed on Mitckov… lol

[@mike8099m]

If you wanted to turn into Toronto you take demidov all offense no defense

[@RBold2]

@@jasonvoorheesthethirdCarey was dumbfounded

[@jasonvoorheesthethird]

@@RBold2 yeah me too 😂

[@leperlord7078]

Our goalies suck so hard i am glad we at least have this beam of hope Kid looks epic AF

[@brianawilk285]

So far he pretty much single handedly fixed our pp. Before seeing him play for the flyers I viewed him as a TK type of player but now G with something ectra I would compare him to. Coots, Matty and TK is a very well balanced line, Coots providing net front TK being the shot option and Matty being the playmaker.

[@_dev_null_]

Seeing Hagens or McKenna next to Michkov is going to be a thing of beauty if it happens.

[@jeffreydean5112]

Watching every flyers game, he could have 3-5 more points. He's really good so far - his vision is really impressive.

[@sfara2845]

i think you just spoke his 5 on 5 points into existence he alr has 2 this game if the delayed call counted as 5 on 5 ofc i forgot to see how many flyers were out

[@JMJR13]

Well said great video is he gonna have his growing pains of course but the amount of hate he’s getting for whatever reason is crazy. This flyers roster before last nights game has really done this kid no justice for how great he’s played especially as a whole on 5v5. You can tell who has or hasn’t watch these flyers games recently

[@grouchygrundle]

So far he's been impressive enough that the entire team looks to get him the puck. A rookie has to consistently wow the veterans to earn their trust only a handful of games in. As long as he hustles back n gets on his man torts will let him do his thing. This kid is the first flyer ever to have this much talent. Loved lindros but mat is better. Torts don't ruin it n try to keep him in a box. He'll dominate by right before the all star break. Once he's comfortable just being away from his country it will all slow down for him. Hes a Pavel Datsyuk clone but smaller n faster. Can't wait to see him be sneaky n strip the puck from behind. Seen him do that many times. Once he's comfortable and knows dudes have his back he'll be the best flyer ever n he jist started. I love hockey and I can spot talent quick. Almost punched my TV when they drafted Patrick. Van reemsdike wasn't terrible but it was the wrong pick. Gaither is good but lazy and a baby. Cutter has talent but he'll never peak. Like kakoo

[@NiccoloGiuliano3]

I’m genuinely in love with Michkov’s play but I cannot understand why we have a roster that hasn’t been great especially with power plays last year like it was so bad. Hopefully we get into the playoffs this with Michkovs scoring and the defense. Let’s go Flyers!!

[@sirfish9824]

If we don’t get a good pick this season it’s going to set us back. Making the playoffs or just missing the playoffs would be a loss in my opinion. We’re not winning the cup with this team x

[@al4465]

Flyers didn’t expect MM to show up for another year or 2. Flyers have too many dead contracts that they are carrying for a couple of more years. before they have the money to get 1C , 1D and probably another high end finisher.

[@Blazzinn29]

@@al4465we’re getting a 1c this draft

[@dustinmcdougall2674]

Idc what stinkyoven does he played so many games last year and is 21 years old so if that’s the case Tyson Foerster should have been mentioned for Calder last year who played much less games and had a few less goals than Bedard with 0 mention!! Michkov ALL THE WAY!!

[@MarkAllen-q9m]

Imagine how much better Michkov and even Tippet could be if our Flyers had a decent center.

[@sj4iy]

I mean…he looks really good so far. But it’s so early in the season. My one concern is his size. Would love to see him bulk up.

[@215rodsquad2]

That -9 isn’t because of him but rather the product of the play around him, not to mention the abysmal goalie play of Ivan fedotov

[@RealMcCoyGolf]

He’s had a great start, but I’d say it’s way too early to say he will save the team. The team needs more role players to even be competitive, no matter how good Michkov is. I enjoy watching the kid, and he’s going to be a great player in this league. I will say however, I believe that he’s going to be more of a playmaker type player than a goal scorer. My predictions for this season… Flyers will fall short of the post season, and Michkov will finish with 25 goals and 48 assists.

[@mypud4068]

I sort of was of the same thought as you with the playmaker emphasis, but honestly Mitchkov has an insanely deceptive wrister and on goals he's not necessarily flashy he usually takes intelligent shots from where he knows he at least will get it on net. His passing is absolutely more flashy and yeah at the end of the day he will be a playmaker at his core but I think he will score alot of goals much more then anticipated

[@rgood1204]

He's been fantastic. I wish my team would have picked him instead of kid with suspect knees.

[@michaeldangelo9642]

He crushed today and has been apart of so many points opportunities

[@josephle979]

Bedard won the Calder on pace for point per game but with a minus 44. If Michkov can match or be close to point per game (which he is on pace for) then the Calder should belong to him

[@bighoss9962]

7 it's in 7 games 🎉

[@michaels2502]

Spoilers: Great

[@McQ109]

Best Flyers defenseman science Mark Howe?

[@eliaminator2313]

Hes by far exceeded my expectation I expected him to have 40-50pts in his rookie season while having that difficult transition that we see a lot of players coming over from the KHL have. Not to mention the Flyers have been oretty underwhelming everywhere in the lineup so far hes not getting much help but hes still producing

[@xx_steezy_xx9496]

He def is exciting,super talented,and lone bright spot for Flyers so far.He doesn't back down either

[@lawrencefine5020]

I think many are still mad over how in the world did the Flyers get the best pick of the 2023 draft at the 7th pick?? Yes, he's not the skater Bedard is, but I think that will come in time, he has a nose for the net, he's confident, and he's on a bad team. 7 points in 7 games. Not bad. The last time us Flyers fans got excited over one player was when they got Lindros. And he was as advertised. So far for Michkov I give him an A. The Flyers need more finishers. Then you'll see his points go way up. Michkov is that guy.

[@FelixWheatfield]

Danny Briere's best decision so far.

[@HitmanHockeyCards]

Mike Grier looks in the mirror every morning and says to himself "Will Smith is better, Will Smith is better, Will Smith is better" LOL sharks fans are still lying to themselves about that too

[@TheJimmyStDenisShow]

i just wish he was a red wing

[@TheFallkan]

Talent is there for sure... but it looks like he's missing a few nuts and bolts upstairs. Don't like the long term outlook of his game. He's also way, way, way to small to pick the fight's he's picking. Someone will ghost him for sure. All in all it's easy to see why teams passed on him, Talent is unquestionable, but the rest... not so much.

[@sj4iy]

Thank you. He’s pretty small and should be cognizant of that. He needs to play smarter.

[@mypud4068]

This is such hater gibberish, so because he has some grit to his personality he's got a few screws loose? He's literally came to a new county totally new language and even a vastly different game in NHL vs khl....and is producing at PPG pace and has 3 OTWs...boy if he didn't engage in some pushing and shoving once in awhile he would probably be leading the league in scoring

[@sj4iy]

@@mypud4068 it has absolutely nothing to do with “being a hater”. Criticism of his play is entirely valid. This is a professional league.

[@mypud4068]

@@sj4iy but literally name anything he’s done that suggests he’s crazy…

[@sj4iy]

@@mypud4068 I didn’t suggest he was crazy. I suggested that he needs to be cognizant of his and play smarter. Would hate to see another Paul Kariya situation. He plays with his head down, he plays aggressively, and he takes unnecessary risks. It’s not ideal for your undersized rookie.

[@leafsfanforever2896]

Michkov = MVP so far for the team

[@TWPuckJunkie]

Great analysis Michkov is playing on a terrible team. The Flyers don't have a number 1 or 2 center, they have a bunch of number 3 and 4 centers. If the Flyers can pick up a good number 1 center in a trade or the upcoming draft Mickov will be more dynamic than he is already. The Flyers are 2nd in the league in penalties that's also why a lot of his goals are not coming 5v5.

[@jameshoy380]

Plus/Minus is a poverty stat. Mish is over 55% Corsi For in all situations.

[@jerryrick4685]

He honestly looks super disappointing at this point in the season, definitely not in the calder race anymore and an all around liability on defense

[@Seven_Hills753]

He’s only 19 😮

[@andrewthompson6453]

just ate shroom gummy not a strong one but is he using a filter or is his place just that dusty or am I trippin....is see little dust orbs all over his video

[@finalguildis]

To be honest you can already see the differences with him and demidov.. demidov will most likely be the better two way player 100% just judging by watching them both.. demidov will give full effort coming back to play D while michkov won't and kinda just glides around

[@LarryLevantine]

That's fair most scouts would agree with that, though one of Michkov's greatest qualities is his work ethic. Most scouts have Demidov projected as a 2-way centerman, likely a point per game type player similar to Kopitar/Bergeron in his prime. Michkov is projected as a scoring winger, likely scoring 40-50 goals and 120 points per season similar to Kucherov in his prime. You need both types of players to win a cup so each team has a lot to be happy about right now, though Montreal's rebuild seems to be further along.

[@finalguildis]

@LarryLevantine demidov isn't a Bergeron time player. And no scout has said that. Scouts are saying he's gonna be a 100 pt player but also a two way player. The same league last year michkov had 2 pts per 60 min while right now demidov doubled that and doesn't get powerplay time. Michkov has been on for 2 goals against per game and demidov so far this year it's only 0.3 a game Go watch demidovs games and youl see the amount of plays he makes. He looks like hutson to be honest but bigger and on forward. again scouts compare him to kuch more than michkov. And also if michkov had a good work ethic he'd be rushing back on defence which he doesnt he just glides. His team is actually worse than last year

[@busorenkin55]

Michkov can’t get a 5 on 5 point cause the flyers are that garbage

[@mypud4068]

Explain?

[@HitmanHockeyCards]

I said it before the draft, if Grier takes will smith over michkov, it will go down as the worst draft blunder in sharks history.

[@yuggi23]

Bro michkov only 2, Should not have fallen, this is generational talent

[@HitmanHockeyCards]

@@yuggi23 Fantilli and Carlsson were understandable, will smith was definitely not. smith shouldve been a mid 1st round pick. it was a TERRIBLE move by Grier. their is wayyyy to much made up antirussian propaganda going on the NHL.... these GMs never learn by passing on all these russian beasts

[@darrinbourret1848]

He needs to improve his skating.

[@holyspider9206]

He’s literally scored all his points on power plays… he’s got a lot to learn before becoming a star let alone. A franchise player.

[@Badnercalabrese]

He got 1 even strength assist and should have 2 or 3 more if his linemates could finish the golden chances that michkov dishes.

[@holyspider9206]

@@Badnercalabresestill, for 7 games, only having 1 even strength points is bad…. I’m happy he’s producing, but he’s not good at even strength, considering he’s top 6 even if the flyers are bad. These flyers also only missed last playoffs by 3 points?

[@kaiizol]

​​@@holyspider9206brother he leads his team in expected goals on 5v5 by a significant margin he's been good, no one can finish the opportunities he gives them the video literally mentions this. you clearly didn't watch the video and you clearly don't actually watch him play

[@kaiizol]

​@@holyspider9206 the flyers also massively overachieved last year, they were never that good why are you talking on something that you have 0 clue about

[@kaiizol]

​@@Badnercalabreseguy clearly doesn't watch and only looks at box scores ignore him

[@andrewthompson6453]

hes good not great but he's gettin better

[@stephaneleblanc-i7m]

He cost them the game last night sounds fantastic LOL

[@ztobro]

There’s so many other people you could blame for the loss last night, MM wasn’t the reason.

[@stephaneleblanc-i7m]

@@ztobro coughed up the beautiful turn over that led to the tap in lmao sounds like the kind of thing torts would lose his mind over lol 😂

[@LarryLevantine]

​@@ztobroMichkov was the only reason flyers were in that game last night, he looked like the best player on the ice from the 2nd period on.

[@mypud4068]

3 OTWs, a notch under ppg still going on a quarter season now, and truthfully I've seen at least 5 guys miss wide open nets from nasty feeds from MM so he actually should be over a ppg