Top 2023 Prospect Matvei Michkov suffers serious INJURY after huge hit by former NHLer

The only name that is rivalling Conor Bedard for the #1 spot in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft is Russian prospect Matvei Michkov. This kid is labeled as the next Ovechkin with the say he scores goals.

Unfortunately for the future NHL star though, he suffered an significant injury today in the Sochi Hockey Open.

Michkov was carrying the puck into the offensive zone and former NHL defenceman Alexei Emelin took the opportunity to lay a massive hit, like we've often seen in the past. Emelin delivers a big shoulder hit, but unfortunately it looks like they locked knee's as well, and Michkov went down hard and was forced to leave injured.

#2023NHLDraft Matvei Michkov slow to get up after this hit by #DMN Alexei Emelin. #SochiHockeyOpen pic.twitter.com/aTnXMb8wiZ— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 4, 2022

You can see Michkov's knee bend awkwardly and he immediately went down on the ice in pain. He did not return to the game, and after some footage was caught of him limping out of the arena with his knee wrapped as he was heading to the hospital.

Very noticeable limp on Michkov. pic.twitter.com/PO9YcVw0YD— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 4, 2022

After the game Emelin has this to say about the hit: