Opinion: Flyers Want To Draft Matvei Michkov And Will Trade Up If Necessary

Matvei Michkov posted a photo of himself in Times Square on Saturday.

And the National Hockey League took a deep sigh of relief.

Probably the Philadelphia Flyers, too. Why? Because I think the Philadelphia Flyers want to draft Michkov.

Michkov is in the United States, heading to the NHL Draft that begins Wednesday in Nashville. Michkov is from Russia and is one of the most talented players in the draft. Some draft evaluations say in a year without Connor Bedard, he would have been the No. 1 pick.

But Michkov’s availability is unknown. Continued Russian unrest escalated Saturday with the mercenary group’s march to Moscow. The country’s politics already are in turmoil with its invasion of Ukraine, leaving doubt whether Russian players would be allowed to play outside of the country. The future is that uncertain.

In Michkov’s case, he also is under contract to a Russian team until 2026.

Philadelphia will happily draft Ryan Leonard if Michkov is gone. Leonard will be a great pick. But I think the Flyers secretly hope Michkov is available at 7. I think they’re willing to trade up to get him.

Meeting With Michkov?

General manager Daniel Briere said the Flyers expect to meet with Michkov before the draft.

Assistant general manager Brent Flahr said: “We do a lot of background. We do talk to players on his team. We’ve talked to coaches – our staff have talked to – so we’ve done a lot of our background.

“We’ll spend time with him and his family, and get a comfort level and then make a decision appropriately.”

What Flahr described is pre-draft routine for players the Flyers could possibly draft. It shouldn’t be interpreted as something more, a road map to where the Flyers are going. It’s due diligence. The Flyers hold these meetings; every team holds these meetings.

A sit down with Michkov will be the Flyers’ one meeting that carries the most significance. What kind of kid is Michkov? What’s his personality? Does he have team-first instincts? Does he want to play in the NHL? Is he willing to come to North America before his contract expires?

Does he like cheesesteaks?

How Draft Might Go

Predicting which team will draft Michkov is a slippery slope. Mock drafts have him going anywhere from 2 to 8. On his talent alone, he could be 2 overall. With the Russian crisis, 2 to 8.

You get the feeling teams that bypass Michkov will regret it down the road.

Conventional wisdom says Will Smith will go to San Jose at 4 — but that’s not a lock. Montreal could be the wild card regarding Michkov. Montreal Hockey Now’s final mock draft has the Canadiens selecting Ryan Leonard at 5.

Arizona picks at 6 and reportedly wants to draft defenseman David Reinbacher.

If Michkov is available at 7, I believe the Flyers will draft him. They need plenty of help and a future star. Michkov is risky because of the situation in Russia, but checks the box that says Future Star.

Even if Michkov can’t play until 2026, that’s about the time a Flyers’ rebuild should kick in.

The Capitals are another wild card. Washington hasn’t been shy about wanting to draft Michkov. The Capitals could trade up. Each pick that passes and Michkov is on the board is another potential trade.

The Flyers might have to trade up, especially with the Capitals lurking. If the Kevin Hayes to the Blues trade goes through, Philadelphia could pick up another first-round pick — a potential sweetener along with the 7 pick to move up.

Would the Flyers trade up? Is Michkov worth it?

Yes and yes, I believe.

I believe the Flyers think so, too.

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Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

Torey Krug did nothing wrong when he reportedly exercised his no-trade clause.

Flyers well positioned in draft full of talent.

Check out the Flyers’ picks — and all 32 picks — in National Hockey Now’s mock draft.

Flyers working to trade Kevin Hayes to Blues. And, an update after the trade hits a snag.

Around The National Hockey Network:

Boston Hockey Now: In light of the Flyers-Blues trade talks, was David Pastrnak trying to bring Torey Krug back to Boston?

Chicago Hockey Now: Analysis on Blackhawks drafting Colby Barlow at 19.

Colorado Hockey Now: Avalanche hasn’t closed the door on J.T. Compher.

Detroit Hockey Now: Will David Reinbacher be there for Wings at 9?

Florida Hockey Now: Center Anton Lundell impressed in Panthers’ playoff run.

Los Angeles Hockey Now: Kings reportedly closer to signing Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Big decisions, major moves looming for Penguins.

Vegas Hockey Now: Golden Knights close to extension with Cup-winning goalie Adin Hill.

Washington Hockey Now: Ryan Leonard would add playoff mindset to Capitals with No. 8 draft pick.