For years leading up to the 2023 NHL Draft, it was always Connor Bedard vs Matvei Michkov.
They were the best two players in all the U18 tournaments.
For the first time in their NHL careers, we had Bedard vs Michkov.
A “rivalry” that’ll hopefully carry the torch of Crosby vs Ovechkin for years to come.
I put rivalry in quotes because it’s always going to be more of a media and fan thing.
Bedard and Michkov themselves wouldn’t necessarily consider themselves to be rivals.
Maybe not rivals in the sense that they hate each other.
But both these guys are competitive bastards.
Right before that powerplay in overtime, the Flyers came down on a 3v1.
Konecny was carrying the puck with Sanheim and Michkov along with him.
You could tell how pissed off Michkov hated not getting a chance to put the game away right there.
Right in that moment, you knew he was going to get a chance and make it happen.
26 seconds later the puck was in the back of the net.
2 overtime winners in the past 2 weeks.
Just 19 games into his NHL career.
This kid loves to score goals, and he loves to take over the moment.
Bedard had a few chances today, and got a pretty decent shot off early in the game.
But all afternoon, Michkov was constantly the more noticeable player.
He’s looking to make something special happen every time he touches the ice.
Maybe that’ll get him in trouble at some points during his career.
But more often than not, he has the skill to make it happen.
At the very least, he’d be a Columbus Blue Jacket.
We have at least 15 more years of Michkov vs Bedard.
Hopefully closer to 20.
And if game 1 in that matchup was any indication, this rivalry is going to rule.
