Star Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov has been ranked among the 25 best players born since 2000, though he could still use more respect around the NHL.
In the list, compiled by NHL Network, Michkov, 20, ranked 23rd amongst the 25 players born on this side of 2000, though some of the players who placed ahead of him are questionable at best.
Some of those names include Anaheim forward Leo Carlsson, who hasn't scored 50 points in his young career yet, and Los Angeles forward Quinton Byfield, who has back-to-back 50-point seasons but has yet to reach his potential in four seasons as a regular contributor.
Michkov, on the other hand, scored 63 points in his rookie season with the Flyers, leading all rookies in goals with 26. His 63 points ranked second amongst all newcomers, tying him with Macklin Celebrini and trailing Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson by three.
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This, of course, was all while dealing with the NHL's worst goaltending, healthy scratches, benchings, and a coaching change by the end of the year.
Curiously, 2023 draft classmate Connor Bedard, who has now had two seasons similar to Michkov's rookie campaign, ranked all the way up at No. 8.
Cole Caufield, who just scored 30 goals and 70 points for the first time at age 24 on a playoff team, placed 12th.
These players are all deserving, to be clear, but the actual rankings are disproportionate to Michkov's talent, value, and performance in the 2024-25 season.
It's not the first list Michkov has been disrespected on this summer, either; he joined Porter Martone in that category on a list of the projected best NHL players in 2030, five years from now.