Attitude problems beginning to emerge with top prospect in this summer's NHL Draft

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Joshua Deeds
January 20, 2023 (10:54)

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The 2023 NHL Draft class is stacked with Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, and Leo Carlsson being notable top draft picks in July. However, there is a troubling development with one player. Matvei Michkovis a Russian winger currently on loan from SKA St. Petersburg to HC Sochi in the KHL.

However, there's a troubling development among central scouting that the youngster has character issues, which could affect his draft stock.

Michkov has signed on to stay in Russia until 2026 as well, which to NHL scouts is troubling. With developments in geopolitics affecting the mood of fans in Russia and abroad, Michkov could seriously drop multiple spots in the NHL draft. Kirill Kaprizov's development should ultimately dispel the notion that staying longer is a bad thing, but KHL prospects are usually hit or miss.

Time will tell if there will be another team like the Minnesota Wild taking another risk on a Russian forward again.

POLL
JANVIER 20 \| 58 ANSWERS Attitude problems beginning to emerge with top prospect in this summer's NHL Draft Will Matvei Michkov drop out of the top 5 in the NHL draft?
Yes, he's going to fall	31	53.4 %
No, he'll still go top 5	14	24.1 %
KHL for Life	13	22.4 %
List of polls

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