The Capitals acquire pick 6, pick 88, and a 2024th in exchange for pick 8, pick 40, a 2024 1st, and a 2025 1st (both top 2 protected).

Michkov isn't passing Arizona at 6. He is a possible franchise level talent who will only be available at 6 due to the uncertainty of him coming over within the next 2-3 years, let alone coming over at all. There has been some wild stories surrounding him, like the extremely questionable death of his father, and teams claiming that their scouts have been unable to speak to him formally - which apparently is not normal.

Arizona won't care about any of that, because if there was ever a team built to draft a prisoner of Russian hockey, it's the 2023 Coyotes. They don't have an NHL arena, have practically been kicked out of their state, and they can only spend BELOW the cap floor in real dollars. There has never been a team treading water like the current year Coyotes. If anything, having a prospect trapped in a foreign country with the rights retained in perpetuity is a benefit to the Coyotes because they don't have the risk of the player possibly testing free agency, like some people might be worried about Cooley eventually doing. It's going to take a few years for the Coyotes to sort out their arena and whether they relocate or stay in Arizona. They can wait for Michkov.

No other team in the top 5 has that luxury. If their GMs draft Michkov, they are possibly drafting him for the next GM not for themselves. They need to get a player in the top 5 who can help move their team forward, maybe as soon as next season or the season after that. If their teams don't show progress, they risk getting fired. If Michkov never comes over, losing a top 5 pick sets their team back years. An example, where would San Jose be now if they had Stutzle? What about Ottawa if they never made the Duchene trade and had (we'll say a healthy) Byram? Losing a pick like that can set a team way back.

Because the Coyotes value Michkov highly, they don't want to trade down in this scenario. Washington has to give them an offer they cannot refuse. The big thing about this trade is that by moving down to 8, the Coyotes are basically moving down two tiers in the draft (Michkov being tier 1, and whoever is left at 7th overall for PHI being the end of tier 2). So the return has to be massive.

This is laughable at how bad this is for Washington...

You can't look at draft position. You have to consider internal rankings.

In any normal draft, the cost to move down isn't going to be this much. Toronto asked Columbus for three seconds (two of them being very high and close to late 1sts in value). This isn't a normal scenario. The proposed scenario only makes sense if Washington has Michkov at 1 or 2, and Arizona is firm about not wanting to drop down.

There is a good chance he goes at 5 to the Sharks or someone leap frogs them at 6 to trade with the Sharks

I'm not looking at draft position.

3 firsts for 1 player, who may not be what we think he is...

and is playing in a country at war for another 2 seasons, a lot can happen in 2 years
unless agent 8 can get his buddy Putin to do him a solid and get Michkov out of his contract

Gee to move up two spots? Washington would be nuts to do this...

If it's for Michkov, this won't be the ask. Arizona has a million draft picks and prospects... they need to start upgrading all of that into higher NHL talent. Washington also risks losing lottery picks if they're in a stacked Metro next year.

There is no upgrading their roster or competing until their ownership/arena location is resolved. They have a budget below the cap.

The picks would be lottery protected.

I suppose the point of this thread is that Washington isn't getting Michkov, because his scenario is perfect for Arizona. There will essentially be a 1st overall type talent on the board at 6. If Washington wants him, they are going to have to overpay to flip picks. I can't see anyone in the top 5 wanting to move down to 8 either. So I don't think there is an avenue to jump Arizona. They have to give them an offer they cannot refuse.

it makes almost zero sense for Arizona to risk that as well. Get someon who will fill seats NOW not someone who may not even come over to your team in 2 years.

This trade is dumb for both teams... Washington paying SO much when honestly I think they are the only team that have enough power, with Ovi, to get him over before the contract is over. And I also don't like the idea of Arizona holding out hoping he comes. There is no reason he "needs" to come to that currently clown car franchise (no offense Yotes fans)


All it takes is Ovi to promise he'll play for the KHL squad after his NHL stint is over. Ovi in a few years will sell for a franchise in the KHL more than Michkov now for 2 years.