Random subject to anyone: Keeping TJ is smart because if Kane gets injured then there’s a certified deep playoff championship expert veteran on the team who can step up?

Michkov has already signed a KHL contract that lasts through 2026. There's no way out of it unless it has an NHL assignment clause (no reports that it does) or Michkov buys himself out of it....which for a kid his age who's just starting his pro career, the money isn't there. Basically it doesn't matter who drafts him or what they do, Michkov won't be playing in the NHL until he's in his 20s.

I wonder if that will drop him back in the draft a bit.

If a team is in a long rebuild it won’t

He's too good. It won't. Michkov goes 2 behind Bedard. Worth the wait

Don't think he has any out. He can come over in 2026, when he will be roughly 23 I think. He's worth the wait

For sure. It's not like that situation is unheard of, anyway. Just wondering what the top teams in next years draft will be thinking. Hopefully CHI is in that mix. I can take another brutal season if it helps the rebuild. haha

There's at least 3 guys next year better than Wright. Bedard, Michkov, Fantilli probably going 1-2-3 in that order.

Agreed

Yeah. From what I've seen and read about players in this year's and next year's draft, i probably wouldn't even take Wright in the top 5 if he were in next years draft.

Crosby, Bergeron, Toews, Tavares, Malkin

McDavid, Matthews, Mackinnon, Eichel, Draisaital

E Pettersson, Zegras, Hughes, Wright, Bedard…


Point being: Shane Wright can easily land himself in this top 5 of this generation soon.

Sure. Top 5 centers of this generation. I am not saying he is a bad hockey player, by any means. But there are still bigger talents at all positions in next years draft that I would take over him in the top 5 if he were in next years draft. Also, Bedard is projected to be at the top of the list in this generation of players. They are calling him possibly the biggest generational talent since McDavid.

The way out is he gets on a plane and reports to the team that drafted him. The NHL would welcome him. No restrictions due to a KHL contract. What is the KHL team gonna do? Send the KGB after him?

Probably kick his puppy idk

The NHL doesn't want to get into a war with the KHL.

I don't think that's a thing.

Then you should look into what you are trying to talk about.