Detroit Red Wings: The case to swing for Matvei Michkov
Detroit Red Wings need to realize how much value he can bring to the table.
A few days ago, I advocated for Detroit Red Wings General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman to put the pedal to the floor and make bold moves this off-season that will make the team a playoff contender immediately.
Although trading up to be in a position to draft Michkov would be a bold move, it almost certainly would push back the contender timeline another few years. But do not discount the fact that Matvei Michkov is a truly generational talent.
At the age of 16, he was selected to play for the Russian National team, being the youngest player to ever achieve the honor. In the U-16 Russian league, he recorded 70 goals and 109 total points, all while only playing 26 games.
The following season, Michkov played in the next age group, the U-20 MHL, as a 16-year-old. He put up a staggering 56 points against men much older than himself, breaking the record set by Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov.
Once Michkov was named team captain for Russia at the IIHF U18 tournament, he led all players with 16 points (12 goals, four assists). That was more than Connor Bedard in the same year. However, Bedard and Team Canada were able to walk away with a gold medal.
For an understanding of how impressive those 16 tournament points are, there was only one other 16-year-old player who has produced more; Alex Ovechkin. With production like this, it should put to bed any doubt that he is a franchise-changing talent.
Recently, Andrey Michkov, Matvei’s father, tragically passed away. The circumstances around the situation have been somewhat clouded in a bit of mystery. The worries about commitment issues have only increased since then.
The idea of staying in Russia with his remaining family long term could seem compelling to him. However, his agent, Sergei Fedorov, has announced that he will visit Nashville to attend the draft. That move alone would likely squash any doubt in general managers’ minds that Michkov plans to come to play in the NHL.
Sergei Fedotov, representing the interests of SKA forward Matvei Michkov, said that Matvei will be present at the #2023NHLDraft ceremony, but it is important for him to gain a foothold at the heart of the St. Petersburg team. pic.twitter.com/JtYZr5HZk7
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) May 10, 2023
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.
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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.