Matvei Michkov and the Montreal Canadiens: Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton Have Truly Avoided Major Trouble

To be perfectly honest with you, after the NHL draft and following the fact that Matvei Michkov became a player for the Philadelphia Flyers (and was ignored by the Montreal Canadiens), I was convinced that we wouldn't hear much more about him.

Clearly, I was wrong.

I feel that in recent days, and quite a bit since the draft, Matvei Michkov has been talked about much more than David Reinbacher.

Just today, I saw dozens of articles from Quebec media talking about Michkov.


It must be said that he is in a really particular situation right now.

After having an incredible pre-season start, after being used as a center player, he was eventually relegated to the third, then to the fourth line, before being outright left in the stands.

In the last few hours, there have even been rumors that he might outright change teams and be ejected from his current club. Michkov hasn't played a single minute this season in the KHL.

In short, as Charles-Alexis Brisebois aptly illustrates, the KHL season has only started a few days ago, and already, there is so much "drama", questions, and concerns surrounding Michkov.

The Flyers have absolutely no control over what happens with Michkov until 2026. It's bad for his development and it starts off very poorly.

Imagine if he had been drafted by the Montreal Canadiens!

It would have created a tremendous amount of drama and endless concerns in town. Clearly, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are realizing, unlike Daniel Brière, that they have saved themselves a lot of trouble by deciding to ignore Michkov.

Imagine the panic in town!