St. Petersburg SKA forward Matvey Michkov has spoken about his preferred destination after the upcoming NHL draft. He emphasizes that the exact team selection matters less than steady, year-by-year improvement and consistent top-level play. “Progress every season by showing peak form is the real goal. You can never stand still. My main task is to keep moving forward. Could Washington be a fit? That would be wonderful. But not everything rests on me. If fate allows, so be it. I must stay ready for anything”, Michkov explained, as reported by Match TV.
The 61st NHL Draft is scheduled for June 28-29, 2023, in Nashville, United States. This season, Michkov represented SKA Saint Petersburg after a loan spell with Sochi. He appeared in 27 games for the Southerners, tallying nine goals and eleven assists.
Sochi finished the regular season last in the Western Conference, earning only 32 points across 68 games. The club also underwent three different coaching changes during the year. Prior to this, Sochi had last made the playoffs in the 2019 season, a drought the team aimed to end with renewed effort and development.
Meanwhile, former Russian player Kirill Marchenko, who spent time with Columbus, spoke about his leadership journey. He framed himself as a captain figure within the team, drawing inspiration from veterans and aiming to guide younger players toward professional growth. This kind of mentorship is often highlighted in discussions around young talents like Michkov, as teams weigh long-term development alongside immediate performance.