Hockey agent Alexei Dementiev spoke about Matvei Michkov’s chances in the upcoming National Hockey League draft, focusing on what teams in North America might be considering as they shape their rosters for the next season. There is widespread discussion about whether Michkov could crack the top ten selections, with executives from elite clubs weighing the subtle factors that influence a franchise’s decision in a draft class that many veterans say is unusually nuanced. Dementiev emphasized that the leading five teams in recent years have already filled their rosters with proven talent, which could impact their appetite for a high-risk, high-reward recruit such as Michkov.
Michkov spent the current season with SKA St. Petersburg, while also spending time on loan with Sochi, where he gained important ice time in the Russian top league. Across 27 appearances for Sochi, he posted nine goals and contributed 11 assists, showing a combination of goal-scoring ability and playmaking instincts that scouts often highlight for a player at his age. His performance during this period is a key talking point for analysts who are assessing how his style translates to the faster, more physical game in North America.
In the regular season standings of the Kontinental Hockey League, Sochi finished near the bottom of the Western Conference, accumulating 32 points over 68 games. The season also featured a coaching carousel, with the club appointing three different coaches in the course of the year. Looking back, the organization has not reached the playoff stage since the 2019 campaign, a factor that some evaluators argue could influence Michkov’s readiness for the NHL and the maturity teams look for in their top picks.
Earlier remarks from Dementiev indicated a belief that Michkov should consider delaying a move to the NHL beyond this summer. The agent’s stance reflects a broader conversation among talent evaluators about whether a player with high potential should pursue immediate professional play in North America or continue to develop in a strong European system before testing the league’s demands.