Detroit Red Wings: The case to swing for Matvei Michkov

When the ping pong balls bounced out of favor for the Detroit Red Wings in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, all hope for acquiring a generational talent was not necessarily lost. During this time last year, hockey scouts and analysts would speak the name of Russian superstars,

Matvei Michkov in the same breath as Bedard, so much so that there was an argument to be had in ranking him ahead of Bedard. Now, with the draft less than two months away, scouting reports have him ranked anywhere from 3rd-6th best prospect available. So did his game completely fall off? Not at all.

Sure, there have been slight knocks on his defensive game but not nearly enough to warrant falling out of the top two draft-eligible players. It was a combination of a.) Bedard took his game to a nuclear level and showed the world he could and will live up to the hype, but also b.) the political climate in Russia came to a boiling point.

It is believed that NHL general managers have a slight hesitancy to draft the 5-foot-10, 150-pound Russian due to his 3-year commitment to the KHL and potentially longer if he cannot leave his home country to play in North America.

Should the Red Wings be one of those hesitant organizations? Absolutely not. Admittedly, there is a bit of irony in me believing that. It’s a decision that the Red Wings certainly have to weigh out as the 2023 NHL Draft continues to inch closer and closer.

The Detroit Red Wings need to consider trading up for Matvei Michkov.

What might it cost the Detroit Red Wings?

The cost will not be cheap if the Detroit Red Wings would like to move up the draft board to select him. First, it will almost certainly require some luck that Michkov is still available at picks 5 or 6. It would be highly unlikely that Washington would pass him up if they were able to use their no. 8 pick on him, so Yzerman would need to jump them in order to get first dibs at his rights.

In doing so, they would likely be asked to give up at least two first-round picks, two second-round picks, either in this year’s draft or next, and a highly touted prospect. Let’s say, Carter Mazur, for argument’s sake.

That is a hefty toll and would make most of the fanbase uncomfortable. Keep in mind, though; he is a generational player that would be the largest stone that the franchise would build upon for years to come.

Players like Michkov do not come along often. Imagine what a team would pay for a young Alex Ovechkin knowing what the hockey world knows now. In 10 years, it could be argued that the price for Michkov may even be a steal if that is what is asked.

If Detroit were to make zero moves during the draft and make their five selections in the first two rounds of the draft, They would likely be drafting players that would not be NHL-ready for at least another two years.

The thought of waiting one additional year for Michkov then becomes less painful. Because you can guarantee he will not spend any time in Grand Rapids when he finally makes his way over the pond.

The chances of Detroit landing Michkov are probably less likely than they were at winning the draft lottery. Still, if they manage to pull it off, the fans will quickly forget about the loss of assets it would take after they see him step foot into Little Caesars Arena.