Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, most people assumed that Conor Bedard would be the number one pick. Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson drove up the draft board but they never truly threatened to be taken first by the lottery-winning Chicago Blackhawks.
In the years leading up to the draft, Matve Michkov was seen as the prospect who would compete with Bedard for that top spot. He ended up signing a multi-year KHL deal so teams hesitated on drafting him at the top when the time came.
It wasn’t until pick seven that the Flyers took a chance on him. Since then, he found his way out of the KHL contract and came to North America. So far, he’s been everything he was advertised to be for the Flyers.
There is still a lot for him to learn about the NHL game but the offensive abilities are there. In his rookie year to this point, Michkov has six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 18 games played. When he has time and space, he’s incredibly dangerous.
Now, Bedard and Michkov are going to face off for the first time in their careers as the Blackhawks visit the Flyers on Saturday afternoon. This is a good measuring stick for each player.
Neither team is likely to end their season in the playoffs but they are both desperate to see their young kids develop and it starts with these two.
There are other good players that the Hawks need to pay close attention to as well if they want to win this one. Guys like Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, Owen Tippett, and Bobby Brink amongst others will make you pay if you aren’t careful.
The Flyers are 5-4-1 in their last ten games but they have lost two in a row. The Hawks are 4-6-0 in their last 10 but their most recent game was a 3-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Connor Bedard says he and Matvei Michkov talk and text sometimes. They’ll face each other tomorrow.
“It’s funny: When you’re playing against people, you try to create a rivalry, but usually you’re friends or you want to see the other guy succeed. I’m always rooting for him.”
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) November 22, 2024
Bedard and Michkov are friendly with one another and they even communicate here and there. To them, this is just another game. However, these two will be tied together forever because of their draft year.
Even in the heat of competition, Bedard is always going to be a great person. Hearing him say that he’s rooting for Michkov to succeed is the kind of sportsmanship that makes hockey players special. Both of these guys are going to be great for a long time.
The Blackhawks will have to be very good for the second game in a row to give Bedard a lead in his head-to-head with Michkov. As long as he plays well, the Hawks will be happy with how things go.
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