“Matvei Michkov is a concession player”

There was an obvious hockey atmosphere throughout the Presidents Cup at the Royal Montreal golf club, with many fans showing their colors. Among them, American Jefferson Mott, originally from Philadelphia, said he was convinced that Russian Matvei Michkov would become the Flyers’ next star player.

• Also read: Here are the final duels of the Presidents Cup in Montreal

• Also read: Everything will be decided on Sunday at the Presidents Cup!

• Also read: A great admirer of Martin St-Louis among golfers

• Also read: Michkov gives the Bruins a hard time

“Michkov is the real deal, I’m incredibly excited about his arrival with the Flyers,” said the 24-year-old, immediately explaining that he came from the city of brotherly love.

It is a jersey of Jim Craig, famous American goalkeeper at the Lake Placid Olympic Games in 1980, which first caught our attention to request this interview with the American tourist.

“Canada is synonymous with hockey,” he explained, to justify his outfit for the golf tournament. It’s incredible the atmosphere there is here, even if you can feel a certain tension between the Canadiens fans and those of the Maple Leafs.

The year of the Maple Leafs?

A little further away, Toronto’s Ray Khan was wearing his Leafs jersey with Nylander’s name on the back.

“Let’s say the Montreal fans let you know that they don’t agree with your choice of jersey,” noted the 28-year-old Ontarian. I wouldn’t say the climate is hostile, though. After all, for this Presidents Cup, we are all behind the international team.”

Regarding his predictions for the next Leafs season, this fan was self-deprecating.

“Every year, as a Leafs fan, we say that this is our year and often, we change our opinion after an elimination in the first round of the playoffs,” he said. However, I remain optimistic by nature and I believe that this time is our year.”

The many Canadian supporters we met were more moderate regarding their expectations. Some see the Montreal club qualifying for the playoffs, others not.

“One thing is certain, the Canadian will be better than last year. We have Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and there is Patrik Laine who is added. Why not participate in the series? It’s possible,” said Kelsey Norring, aged 38, who was obviously speaking before the serious injury suffered by the new Finnish striker on Saturday evening.

Regret Reinbacher

A mystery remains about this Habs fan: he lives in the Edmonton area. Why doesn’t an Alberta resident just support Connor McDavid and the Oilers? You should know that there are still many supporters of the Canadian across Canada.

Norring did not want to comment on the debate surrounding the selection of defenseman David Reinbacher, with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft, rather than having bet on Michkov.

According to the famous supporter of Jim Craig, the Canadian organization was possibly going to regret it one day or another. Just like the new Utah club which, at the sixth level, had opted for defender Dmitry Simashev through the Arizona Coyotes, let us remember.

“Michkov is a concession player,” said Mott, about the seventh overall pick in 2023.

Whether in Montreal, Toronto or Philadelphia, it is high time for the National Hockey League season to begin. The Canadian’s first regular season game is also scheduled against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, October 9, at the Bell Center.