Scouting for the Washington Capitals in Russia, Andrei Nikolishin condemned the behavior and attitude of Matvei Michkov in a video shared on YouTube.
His remarks were picked up by the Russian media Gazeta.
“Because of his character and his attitude towards his teammates, coaching staff, management and supporters, he has fallen very low in the esteem of scouts and management,” said Nikolishin, a former striker who played 628 games with the Hartford Whalers, Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League.
Nikolishin worked for six years as a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks before joining the Capitals organization in 2022.
“I can show you our correspondence from when I wanted to meet him and ask him a few questions. I have never witnessed such a great lack of respect,” continued Nikolishin about the promising Russian striker.
As confirmed by his agent Sergei Fedorov, Michkov will appear in the NHL Draft in Nashville on June 28.
Considered the most talented player in the repechage after Connor Bedard, Michkov risks slipping in the repechage due to the complicated political situation in Russia and his contract binding him for another three years at SKA Saint Petersburg.
