Potential #1 pick Matvei Michkov out long-term after huge hit from former NHLer Alexei Emelin

Potential #1 2023 NHL Draft choice Matvei Michkov is reportedly out long term after suffering a lower body injury as a result of a hit from former NHLer Alexei Emelin in a Russian exhibition game.

Here's the hit in question:

The hit came in a game of the Sochi Hockey Open, an exhibition series featuring teams from the KHL and Russia's U25 roster. The 17 year old Michkov was the team's captain.

Corey Pronman of The Athletic is reporting that Michkov will be out of action for months and will likely miss the opening month of the KHL season. 

From Pronman:

Potential No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and Russian prospect Matvei Michkov suffered a lower-body injury in a KHL preseason game and will miss at least two months, sources confirmed to The Athletic’s Corey Pronman.

Michkov was injured in a game that pitted the 17-year-old and Team Russia’s U25 squad against Russian club Dinamo Minsk. The prospect was injured after he took a hit from former NHL defenseman Alexei Emelin. Michkov could miss the first month of the KHL regular season, and potentially, even longer.

Last month, Pronman ranked Michkov as the second-best available prospect for the upcoming 2023 NHL Draft. However, Michkov is under contract with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg through 2026.

- Corey Pronman

Like Pronman alludes to, Michkov is seen as the second best available prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft behind WHL superstar Connor Bedard.