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Top prospect being labeled as undraftable by teams ahead of this summer's draft

Published May 6, 2023 at 11:57
BY JOSH

On Monday night, one lucky NHL team will find out who has the opportunity to draft Connor Bedard 1st overall. With the NHL draft lottery scheduled for May 8th, we will finally get a view of what the draft order will be for all non playoff teams. With all eyes on Bedard, there has been little talk about the other prospects of the draft pool.

Now it appears at least one of the top five rated prospects in the draft is beginning to draw criticism from teams. So much so that some teams have already labeled him undraftable. This is a surprise given how highly regarded he was up until this season.

Matvie Michkov was considered to be the best Russian born prospect since Alex Ovechkin. He has a natural nose for the net and seen as a dynamic winger will help any team who drafts him produce goals.

But production isn't everything. For some scouts Michkov has already brushed teams the wrong way. Stephane Leroux who covers the Canadiens shared the following which was translated from French to English.


From what I hear, the Canadiens won't touch Michkov. It's a package of trouble.

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Rumors have swirled that many teams feel a similar way about Michkov which could push him much further down the draft sheet than predicted. Michkov's current KHL contract keeps him in Russia until 2027, which on its own could scare many rebuilding teams away from him.

This is just one of the many narratives of this draft.
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May 6   |   118 answers
Top prospect being labeled as undraftable by teams ahead of this summer's draft

When will Matvei Michkov be selected?

Top 31210.2 %
Top 105143.2 %
Top 202823.7 %
Top 302722.9 %
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