The mock drafts are over. The prospect rankings can stop. The first selection of the 2023 NHL Draft is in the books for the Flyers and it’s Matvei Michkov. That’s right Matvei Michkov as the Arizona Coyotes went off board and drafted Dmitri Simashev at sixth overall.
Matvei Michkov turned 18 on December 9, 2022. He stands at 5’10 and weighs in at 148bs. This is somewhat of a raw build for a pro hockey player and gives him a bit of room should he want to add strength this Summer. Michkov, is a native of Perm, Russia, and I’m sure he started playing this sport around the ages of 3-5-years-old.
Now more on the player in Michkov. The Flyers ended up coming away with the guy they wanted all along. David Reinbacher and Dmitri Simashev were scooped up, leaving Michkov and others hanging in the balance. David Reinbacher was always going to the Arizona Coyotes, but the Montreal Canadiens scooped him up. Michkov was one guy the Flyers wanted, and had eyes for. They loved his shot, hands, size, and skating. Moreover, they love what he can turn into, as the Flyers are now targeting shoot-first players in recent drafts. Tyson Foerster’s best ability is his shot. Samu Tuomaala, although he was a second-rounder in 2021, is a guy that can skate and shoot the puck. Cutter Gauthier can fire the puck with the best of them. Now add Michkov to that list, a cornerstone player.
“We know he has a contract for 3 more seasons. We felt it was the talent we could not pass up. We met him a couple times. He loved the Flyers and you can tell he wanted to be a Flyers.” – Danny Briere stated following the pick
Michkov is a great fit for the Flyers. He tallied nine goals and 11 assists with HK Sochi on a loan in the KHL in 27 games played in 2022-23. He has a motor without an off switch, but he needs to improve his play in the defensive zone. He is also very competitive in nature and has superstar potential. This sets him apart from other prospects, and he is an attractive player for any organization that was willing to take the risk with him.
Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere I’m sure loves Michkov’s awareness, and it’s a risk with him coming to North America the Flyers could wait for. This is valuable for a rebuilding team like the Flyers, as this team will look mighty different over the course of the next few years.
Mitchkov’s overall outlook is a forward whose best skill will be shooting the puck. He is expected to be present at Flyers’ Development Camp next week in Voorhees, NJ, and hopefully he will come to North America in three years.
“I’m glad to be Flyers, unreal moment.” – Matvei Michkov
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