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The real reason for the non-selection of Matvei Michkov has just been revealed and we're in for a surprise

Published July 5, 2023 at 1:50 PM
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The draft having been over for more than a week, we can close the nebulous file of Matvei Michkov. He now belongs to the Philadelphia Flyers and went 7th in the last draft.


Many Montreal Canadiens fans were disappointed by the non-selection of the Russian forward in favor of defenseman David Reinbacher. New information, however, leads us to believe that Kent Hughes might have had his hands tied in this case and perhaps did not have as much latitude as we might think.

Indeed, as we reported in a recent article, the word was circulating in the NHL that Michkov wanted to choose his future destination in the NHL.


These rumors seem to have been confirmed as he threatened the Arizona Coyotes that he would not play with them if he was selected by them.

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An interesting revelation!

Was Michkov evasive about his future in the NHL, supposedly being selected by them? It is not clear at this time but very possible. Even if not, do we really want such a player in our organization?

To add to this case, the team at the site Danslescoulisses found out why the Canadiens passed on Michkov.

According to their source, the young man's behavior would have dissuaded them from drafting him.

"From what we learned from solid information at the heart of the case, it is indeed because of his abominable attitude that the young man is today a prospect of the Flyers (the club of Daniel Brière, strongly considered for the position of GM of the Canadiens) and not the Montreal Canadiens."

- Charles-Alexis Brisebois

It also seems that the leadership was afraid that his arrival in 2026 with the organization would spoil the atmosphere of the locker room. His attitude is totally opposite to what Kent Hughes wants to establish with the Canadiens for the coming years. In a recent article, Mathias Brunet of La Presse echoes the source of the DLC site.

"Montreal is ready to live with the idea of seeing the young Michkov have great offensive seasons in the NHL, on his arrival in North America, in 2026 or later, with the Philadelphia Flyers. But obviously, they didn't believe the boy would transform into a team player, respectful of authority and collective instructions, open to learning." - Mathias Brunet

So, it's a matter of attitude? Wow.

POLL
July 5   |   997 answers
The real reason for the non-selection of Matvei Michkov has just been revealed and we're in for a surprise

In retrospect, which was the better choice, according to you?

Michkov19119.2 %
Reinbacher61261.4 %
Leonard16216.2 %
Dvorsky or other323.2 %
LIST OF POLL
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