When Matvei Michkov, at only 19 years old, dominates the NHL with performances worthy of the greatest, we can’t help but think of what the Montreal Canadiens missed.
Two goals against the Bruins yesterday afternoon, a projection of 35 goals and 77 points for his rookie season: Michkov is already the rising star that CH dreamed of having.
But instead, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, paralyzed by fear and unable to see beyond the rumors and conjectures, preferred to pass.
There are choices that define an organization for years, even decades.
For Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, the refusal to select Matvei Michkov in the 2023 draft is now etched in the history of the Montreal Canadiens as a monumental error.
But what makes this decision even more damning is the underhanded disinformation campaign orchestrated to justify this choice.
It is obvious that the Canadian shot himself in the foot. Meanwhile, the CH attack struggles to find the back of the net, and the fans must look from afar at what their future could have been.
The campaign against Michkov came from the 2nd floor at the Bell Center. Accusations without any basis.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, endless rumors about Michkov’s attitude and character emerged in the media.
Mathias Brunet, an influential columnist, was one of the spokespersons for these criticisms. He relayed stories about an alleged toxic environment, excessive influence from his late father, and selfish behavior.
But where did this information come from? According to several sources, it was Kent Hughes himself who discreetly fueled this narrative, seeking to legitimize his choice not to draft the Russian prodigy.
These attacks, lacking solid evidence, went so far as to use the tragic death of Michkov’s father as an argument to question his mental stability.
A profoundly disrespectful approach unworthy of an NHL executive.
The result? A dishonest attempt to sully the reputation of an exceptional player to mask irrational fear and a lack of courage on the part of CH management.
Today, Michkov silences his critics with his brilliant performances, while Hughes and Gorton can only stare at the ruins of their credibility.
When asked about the choice to miss out on Michkov, Kent Hughes cited “sporting considerations” and “organizational needs.” However, these arguments ring false in the face of current reality:
A contract in KHL that did not slow down Philadelphia: The fear that Michkov would stay in Russia until 2026 was one of the main excuses.
But the Flyers saw past that worry, and Michkov, defying all expectations, arrived in North America ahead of schedule. Result: a recruit who is already changing the game.
Rumors about his attitude denied by teammates and coaches: SKA assistant coach Daniel Bochner described Michkov as an exemplary professional and a natural leader.
These testimonies directly contradict the allegations relayed by Brunet and others, and highlight the absurdity of the criticisms leveled against him.
Results that speak for themselves: On the ice, Michkov is simply unstoppable. His vision, his flair for the game and his ability to score in crucial moments make him a rising star.
While Michkov lights up Philadelphia, the Canadian continues to struggle to find offensive solutions. In the last game against Washington, the team wasted four breakaways in the third period. Nick Suzuki, CH captain, summed up the situation with simple but desperate words:
“We have to find a way to score these goals. »
The problem goes much deeper than just finishing. The Canadian’s stagnant attack is sorely lacking a player capable of changing the course of a match.
With an average of 2.78 goals per match, the team shows a regression compared to the previous season. And yet, Kent Hughes dared to ignore a potential elite scorer, preferring a decent but non-transformative defender in David Reinbacher.
During his press scrum today, Matvei Michkov demonstrated remarkable maturity and confidence.
Far from the supposedly arrogant image portrayed by his detractors, he expressed himself calmly and professionally.
“I’m here to work and help my team win”he said, perfectly summarizing his state of mind.
His speech, marked by humility, contrasts sharply with the unfounded accusations made against him. Mishkov did not allow himself to be defined by unfair criticism.
On the contrary, he used them as fuel to achieve an exceptional level of performance.
Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton not only missed an opportunity to draft a generational talent, but they also tarnished their reputation with their handling of this matter.
-Fueling rumors, manipulating the media and clinging to flimsy excuses are not the traits of visionary leadership.
Michkov is already making history in Philadelphia, while the Canadiens remain mired in a rebuild that lacks direction.
The supporters will not forgive easily. Every Michkov goal, every dazzling performance, will be a cruel reminder of what the Montreal Canadiens could have been.
Ultimately, Hughes and Gorton will have to live with the weight of this error, which could well define their mandate at the head of the CH.
And meanwhile, Matvei Michkov, with his fire in his eyes and his incomparable talent, continues to prove that he should have been the face of the Habs for decades to come.
And as if this decision was not already catastrophic enough, the same managers did not hesitate to sign a contract of $7.6 million per year over eight years to Juraj Slafkovsky, a player who is still struggling to find his feet. and produce consistently.
Meanwhile, the Canadian is unable to score goals, capitalize on his chances and win crucial matches.
Hughes and Gorton will have to live with this monumental mistake, and it’s increasingly clear that they will never recover from it.
When the CH chose David Reinbacher at 5th place in the 2023 draft, Hughes and Gorton put forward a series of lame justifications to explain their decision to pass on Michkov.
Among them, the young Russian’s so-called “difficult attitude” and his KHL contract, which would keep him away from the NHL until 2026.
However, these same concerns did not stop Daniel Brière and the Philadelphia Flyers from seizing their chance. And today, this bold choice is paying off spectacularly.
Not only did Michkov arrive in North America in record time, but he quickly proved himself to be a generational player.
His offensive instincts, his ability to score in key moments and his immediate impact on his team make him a rare phenomenon.
Meanwhile, the Canadian, mired in chronic offensive problems, looks from afar at what his future could have been.
The contrast between Michkov and Slafkovsky is striking. Where Michkov impresses with his production and impact on the game, Slafkovsky seems lost.
Despite occasional flashes of talent, he has yet to find the consistency needed to justify his status as the No. 1 overall pick in 2022.
And yet, Hughes and Gorton saw fit to give him a massive contract, locking the Canadian in with a player who, to date, has not proven he can become a franchise cornerstone.
With $7.6 million per year, Slafkovsky has become a financial albatross, a premature gamble that could hamper the CH’s flexibility for years to come.
This decision highlights inconsistent management and a glaring lack of discernment on the part of Hughes and Gorton.
Why take such a risk on a player still developing, while avoiding a talent as dazzling as Michkov?
The result of these horrible decisions is evident on the ice. During the 4-2 defeat against the Capitals, the Canadian was once again unable to capitalize on his chances. Four failed escapes in the third period.
Absent offensive domination. An attack which scores at an even lower rate than last year. And above all, a chronic inability to finish matches when the team is in a position of strength.
The Canadian is sorely lacking an elite scorer, a player capable of taking control of a match and transforming chances into goals.
Michkov could have been that player. Instead, CH is content with mediocrity, hoping that its current players will eventually “unblock”.
The Montreal Canadiens have a long history of controversial draft decisions, but the choice to pass on Michkov might just be one of the worst.
With each goal, each sparkling performance, Michkov reminds CH of what it could have been.
While the Flyers build around generational talent, Montreal gets bogged down in an endless rebuild, guided by leaders too timid to take risks.
Hughes and Gorton have shown that they are willing to invest heavily in players like Slafkovsky, but are incapable of recognizing greatness when it comes their way.
This fear, this lack of vision, is what condemns the Canadian to mediocrity.
And while Michkov continues to dazzle, the CH continues to look for answers. But one thing is clear: These won’t come from Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, who will have to carry the weight of this mistake for the rest of their terms – or their careers.
