Eklund: What are YOUR expectations for Michkov

Eklund: What are YOUR expectations for My Sabres Blogger
- Eklund

I have no expectations for the guy to show up

Slick hands on his goal last night. He’s certainly skilled. He didn’t just jab that puck home. He weaved that around each of the goalie’s legs individually.

I’m still curbing my expectations. 45 points or so is what I want. If we can get 50+ points out of him, I’ll be thrilled. 60 and I might just lose my ability to be rational regarding his future.

Slick hands on his goal last night. He’s certainly skilled. He didn’t just jab that puck home. He weaved that around each of the goalie’s legs individually.

I’m still curbing my expectations. 45 points or so. If we can get 50+ points out of him, I’ll be thrilled. 60 and I might just lose my ability to be rational regarding his future.
- Hesh_

I am saying 65-70 points if he plays all 82.

He had a few chances and setup a few guys. You can see he’s a talented player, but he wasn’t exactly Bedard out there. I don’t know what to expect. I’m a Flyers fan so I’m braced for disappointment.

I am saying 65-70 points if he plays all 82.
- PT21

That's a stretch in my opinion. If he puts up 20-30, that would be an indication that we're looking at a future star. He's going to be playing in the best league in the world, against the best players in the world. On a team that is not going to have a good PP.

He won’t meet the defensive expectations so he’ll spend the second half of the season rotating between the 4th line and the press box.

He won’t meet the defensive expectations so he’ll spend the second half of the season rotating between the 4th line and the press box.
- szandor

If Tortorella is smart, and he's not when it comes to skilled players development. Defensive issues should not be a concern. They should coach him and work with him on it with him but it should have zero bearing on his ice time and situational use.

He had a few chances and setup a few guys. You can see he’s a talented player, but he wasn’t exactly Bedard out there. I don’t know what to expect. I’m a Flyers fan so I’m braced for disappointment.
- Dkos

Did you follow the Bedard effect on Kurashev in particular last season? The latters's ppg more than doubled.

Essentially, I think (Philly player quality - Chi player quality) >> (Bedard ability- MM ability) > 0.

(>> means much greater...)

Did you follow the Bedard effect on Kurashev in particular last season? The latters's ppg more than doubled.

Essentially, I think (Philly player quality - Chi player quality) >> (Bedard ability- MM ability) > 0.

(>> means much greater...)
- PT21

You love to ridiculously complicate simple things.


Kurashev had all of 6 PP goals.

Did you follow the Bedard effect on Kurashev in particular last season? The latters's ppg more than doubled.

Essentially, I think (Philly player quality - Chi player quality) >> (Bedard ability- MM ability) > 0.

(>> means much greater...)
- PT21

I was more comparing their performances in their first rookie series games. Didn’t Bedard score a bunch of goals? Three goals and an assist, maybe? I know it’s just a meaningless preseason game, but scoring one goal on a scramble at the side of the net was really Michkov’s biggest highlight of the night. Just saying I’m not ready to predict he’ll be a superstar after last night.

I was more comparing their performances in their first rookie series games. Didn’t Bedard score a bunch of goals? Three goals and an assist, maybe? I know it’s just a meaningless preseason game, but scoring one goal on a scramble at the side of the net was really Michkov’s biggest highlight of the night. Just saying I’m not ready to predict he’ll be a superstar after last night.
- Dkos

You shouldn't. We know he has elite skill. He's playing against mostly inferior players in a rookie scrimmage. He won't be doing that in the regular season. I think we have to temper expectations. I'd be ecstatic if he puts up 20-30 in his rookie season.

I was more comparing their performances in their first rookie series games. Didn’t Bedard score a bunch of goals? Three goals and an assist, maybe? I know it’s just a meaningless preseason game, but scoring one goal on a scramble at the side of the net was really Michkov’s biggest highlight of the night. Just saying I’m not ready to predict he’ll be a superstar after last night.
- Dkos

Said nothing about superstar. Didn't watch game last night either.

Just making a guess to best of my informed ability.

Gentleman's bet he will reach 65 pts if he plays 82?

25g 35a and a Calder finalist.

I expect him to at least be in the Calder trophy consideration. 40-50 points would be a nice start.

You shouldn't. We know he has elite skill. He's playing against mostly inferior players in a rookie scrimmage. He won't be doing that in the regular season. I think we have to temper expectations. I'd be ecstatic if he puts up 20-30 in his rookie season.
- MJL

Stealing my numbers I see.

Top 6 minutes and PP time, 40 some points is reasonable.

If the TEAM is playing well and winning and his linemates are producing his numbers clearly go up as well.

People really seem to discount that before the war, Michkov was in a dog fight with Bedard for 1st overall and outperformed him internationally (he's also older so it makes sense). His performance for Sochi in the KHL over the past two years is basically historic. I think 50 points is the base expectation if he is given the time to perform. That or an Emelin type murders him when he's dangling.

Stealing my numbers I see.

- Phillywhiteout

Your numbers? Between 20-30 goals is pretty much where majority has landed.

You shouldn't. We know he has elite skill. He's playing against mostly inferior players in a rookie scrimmage. He won't be doing that in the regular season. I think we have to temper expectations. I'd be ecstatic if he puts up 20-30 in his rookie season.
- MJL

Low 20s should be within his abilities no problem.
30? Yeah. I’d be thrilled.

I’m asking for 45 points. If I can get 21g-24a, then cool.

If he gets 23-24g and his assists put him around 50 points, that’s a fine rookie campaign and I’m a very happy man.

20G would be huge for his rookie campaign. I'd like to see him on Frost's wing but knowing Torts he'll probably see more time with Couturier or Poehling (SMH).

Top six shaking out to:

Konecny Couturier Tippett
Farabee Frost Michkov

Will be curious to see how Tortorella reacts and treats him when he makes a poor defensive play. That will play a huge role in his points total. Hard to get points when you're benched...

People really seem to discount that before the war, Michkov was in a dog fight with Bedard for 1st overall and outperformed him internationally (he's also older so it makes sense). His performance for Sochi in the KHL over the past two years is basically historic. I think 50 points is the base expectation if he is given the time to perform. That or an Emelin type murders him when he's dangling.
- AdamFrench

I am basing my take on such, and some structural factors of our team at this point.

We were putrid in scoring when opposing D was set and waiting forr our forwards to do something. We scored a large fraction of goals off the rush. We sucked coming up ice with team possession. We sucked on the pp. We just cannot break down structured D.

I am expecting/hoping for a big impact of MM's creativity in those fronts.

That's a stretch in my opinion. If he puts up 20-30, that would be an indication that we're looking at a future star. He's going to be playing in the best league in the world, against the best players in the world. On a team that is not going to have a good PP.
- MJL

any stats/data to back this up or is this just your opinion?

If Tortorella is smart, and he's not when it comes to skilled players development. Defensive issues should not be a concern. They should coach him and work with him on it with him but it should have zero bearing on his ice time and situational use.
- MJL

Sadly Torts is old fashioruned and archaic like the old Russian leaders before Gorbachev were.