Joined: Jun. 2019
Posts: 11,805
Likes: 12,035
I think Carlsson is a very good young player, but, IMO, he is overrated, with a pretty wide margin for me being wrong and him becoming a superstar. Michkov is absolutely the 2nd best player in the draft, with a pretty good shot at being THE best player in the draft in hindsight. I know all the hype about Bedard is real, but I think all the downplay of Michkov, for numerous and mostly valid reasons, is just as real. And I truly believe he has a shot at having a better career overall than Bedard.
That being said, I think the questions around Michkov have less to do with his own intentions of coming to the NHL and more to do with how the geopolitical climate could develop between now and the 26-27 season. If things keep going as they have with Russia, sanctions, by Russia themselves or the UN/USA, could prevent or make it VERY difficult for him to come to North America. But I wouldn't mind taking a shot at him at 3rd overall, because I think, if all goes our way, he will be WELL worth the wait.