Canadiens Face Backlash for Passing on Matvei Michkov as Analyst Predicts 20 Years of Regret
When Kent Hughes announced the selection of David Reinbacher with the 5th overall pick in the 2023 draft, he also passed on Matvei Michkov.
Many Canadiens fans were extremely disappointed that the Canadiens organization did not select this particular Michkov.
Two picks later, the Philadelphia Flyers took the risk of drafting the young Russian prospect, and let's just say things have been going pretty well for him since the start of the 2024-2025 season.
The 19-year-old is dominating NHL rookies this season with 27 points in 29 games, and Flyers general manager Daniel Brière is being hailed as a true genius.
But it still remains that the Canadiens organization looks rather bad in all of this, and radio host Tony Marinaro recently stated on BPM Sports' airwaves that the Canadiens' management made a serious mistake by passing up the opportunity to draft the young Russian forward, who many experts viewed as the second-best player in his draft class, behind Connor Bedard.
Matvei Michkov, for a guy we heard has a horrible character, that doesn't seem to be the case. A horrible attitude? Doesn't seem to be the case. A guy who's not liked by his teammates? Doesn't seem to be the case.
And Matvei Michkov, in 29 games, has 11 goals and 16 assists.
If Michkov continues to get better and becomes a star in the league, imagine the pressure Reinbacher will face!»
- Tony Marinaro
If you recall, a rumor had circulated shortly before the 2023 draft that Matvei Michkov was not interested in joining the Canadiens, as well as other teams drafting in the top 10.
It's false: Matvei Michkov wanted to play for the Montreal Canadiens, confirms David Ettedgui
However, it seems that no credible sources had put forward this claim, and it was indeed confirmed by player agent David Ettedgui during a recent appearance on BPM Sports.
And NO, Michkov did not say no to the Canadiens, they just didn't take him. I even contacted the upper management of the Canadiens a day before the draft, and no.»
- David Ettedgui
Let's just say this statement makes the Canadiens organization look bad once again, and while David Reinbacher is recovering from a knee injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, the young sensation of the Flyers is on track to win the Calder Trophy.
Let's also remember this about Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov:
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 1569 ANSWERS Canadiens Face Backlash for Passing on Matvei Michkov as Analyst Predicts 20 Years of Regret Will the Canadiens regret, in the long term, passing on Matvei Michkov during the 2023 draft? | ||
| Yes | 878 | 56 % |
| No, Reinbacher will be excellent | 691 | 44 % |
| List of polls | ||
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