When the 2023 NHL Entry Draft took place, many fans of the Montreal Canadiens had their eyes on one prospect in particular Matvei Michkov. The young and talented Russian player was expected to be one of the top picks of the draft, and many fans were hoping that General Manager Kent Hughes would take the risk of selecting him with the 5th overall pick.
However, the night of the draft did not go as planned for those fans. Instead of choosing Michkov, Hughes decided to go with David Reinbacher, a talented prospect in his own right, but not the player that many fans had been hoping for. The decision was met with disappointment among the fanbase, as many were left wondering what could have been if Michkov had been selected.
As it turned out, the Philadelphia Flyers were the team that took the risk on Michkov, selecting him just two picks later. The decision was made by General Manager Daniel Brière, who saw something in the young prospect that he believed would make him a valuable asset to the team.
Fast forward to the present day, and it seems that Brière's gamble has paid off in a big way. Michkov has made the jump to the NHL and is now a regular player for the Flyers. While it is still early in his career, the early returns are promising, and it seems that he has the potential to become a star player in the league.
For Kent Hughes and the Canadiens, the decision not to select Michkov must be a tough one to swallow. While Reinbacher is a talented player in his own right, the fact that Michkov is already playing in the NHL and making an impact must be a source of frustration for the team.
Only time will tell if Hughes' decision will ultimately prove to be a mistake. However, one thing is for certain the decision to pass on Michkov is one that will be remembered for a long time, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out in the years to come.