Matvei Michkov’s name is on everyone’s lips these days. After all, more and more people are realizing that the young man could make the jump to the NHL as early as this fall.
Negotiations are underway.
For Mathias Brunet and Simon Boisvert, it was a good pretext to talk about the Russian’s last four games on their podcast Processus. These are the matches they watched… and which, in the eyes of the La Presse columnist, were played in a disgraceful manner.
Brunet makes no secret of the fact: Michkov is not his favorite prospect.
Criticism of his attitude on the ice (systematically refusing to play defense) and off (he doesn’t have the same notion of respect as others) raises red flags that the journalist refuses to ignore.
The fact that he’s a guy who can’t play as part of a team (he doesn’t even pretend to defend, says Brunet) shows he’s got a long way to go.
The podcast host didn’t like his “fancy skating” in the defensive zone, his lack of physical involvement, his lack of commitment to retrieving pucks and the fact that he does nothing to win one-on-one battles.
Of course, a player has the right to change.
But if he’s playing this way, especially for Torto (John Tortorella) in Philadelphia, I’ll be honest: if he doesn’t change, it’s going to be a disaster. – Mathias Brunet
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Brunet also wonders why the Russian club Mishkov, if he’s that good, would agree to let him leave for the NHL when he has a valid contract in his pocket.
He also talked about the player on loan in Russia in an article on the La Presse website.
Matvei Michkov closing in on Philadelphia https://t.co/4DKTAC0eu7
– Mathias Brunet (@mathiasbrunet) May 22, 2024
In the Snake’s eyes, these are aspects that will have to be corrected, obviously, but he doesn’t see Matvei Michkov Michkov as a guy who’ll never break through because of it.
He knows he’s not perfect, but we know the Snake has an eye for talent first. What comes next is lower on his list of priorities when it comes to evaluating a player.
The Snake is counting on the fact that Mishkov, who simply wants to move from Russia to Pennsylvania, will do as Ilya Kovalchuk did in Atlanta: he’ll make his own way in the NHL.
The Snake doesn’t just want “little singers from Mount Royal” in a club: he knows that some guys are no angels.
But clearly, Daniel Brière has to hope that under John Tortorella, Michkov will fit in. The ebullient coach will have no trouble being uncompromising with the young Russian, but he’ll have to respond well.
Otherwise, he’ll get to know Philly’s press gallery soon enough.
In Brief
– Mitch Marner: the rumour machine is about to start.
The silly season is upon us. On Mitch Marner and trade rumours and well, making sense of reality in the moment. My latest for@TheAthletic⤵️ https://t.co/85AGFjHXjv
– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 22, 2024
– News from Team Canada Junior.
The Court of Appeal for Ontario has rescheduled a hearing to hear arguments from lawyers for former Canadian Hockey League players who are suing three major-junior leagues and their teams over allegations of systemic hazing, bullying, and abuse.
A judge ruled in February 2023…– Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) May 22, 2024
– Will Gabriel Landeskog be able to return to the game?
I’ve got a bad feeling https://t.co/s6S32TONMt pic.twitter.com/K0hkMHiRrA
– Justin Losacco (@justinlosacco) May 22, 2024
– Read more.
Dive into the world of a goalkeeping coach with Eric Raymond
Read ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/qmkTO6TsWY
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) May 22, 2024
– Abraham Toro is doing well in Oakland.
The Quebecer is leaving his mark on Major League Baseball. https://t.co/7b30o5trDv
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) May 22, 2024