When the Detroit Red Wings entered all of their picks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, nearly all of the attention, and rightfully so, went towards first-round pick Marco Kasper. However, the player with the highest offensive upside was taken in the second round. Dmitri Buchelnikov, who is a speedy Russian winger that has success putting the puck in the back of the net and is signed through the 2025 season overseas.
Sound familiar? No, the Detroit Red Wings did not find a loophole and draft Matvei Michkov a year before the Flyers could, but they did draft a “Michkov-Lite” with regard to the contractual situation, nationality, and offensive ability.