Matvei Korotky

[TheJackBurton]

Man if you can hit on late round draft picks that is just a bonus. If you can hit on them and they become quality NHL players then that turns your club into a playoff perennial.

[STL fan in MN]

Korotky with another goal today as he tied the game 2-2. Up to 6 pts in 7 games. SKA ends up falling in this one 4-2 though (3-2 but then an empty netter).

https://x.com/m_meyer3/status/197055858 ... 1K-FGmcAg

[seattleblue]

Korotky with another goal today as he tied the game 2-2. Up to 6 pts in 7 games. SKA ends up falling in this one 4-2 though (3-2 but then an empty netter).

https://x.com/m_meyer3/status/197055858 ... 1K-FGmcAg

now are you gonna start watching this guy's games ... or let Mike Meyer keep finding video of his points and post them ...

[John Cocktoastin]

Didn't Michkov get released from his KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg (two years earlier than initially planned)?

When can Korotky get his hall pass?

[Hockey Pete]

Today is shaping up to be a slow news day on the Blues front so perhaps not a better time to talk a bit about one of our lesser known prospects - Matvei Korotky. He scored another goal yesterday and is now up to 5 pts in his first 6 KHL games on the season. A little over 6 feet tall, still only 19.

Here’s his goal from yesterday:
https://x.com/m_meyer3/status/196977846 ... 1K-FGmcAg

The Blues grabbed him in the 7th round last year but he’s been producing like a 1st/2nd round caliber pick. One certainly to keep an eye on.

Two things about this kid and that pick;

First, this has Steen written all over it. There were rumors that Steen was hitting the Russian Junior seen pretty hard these last couple of years, and I don't think it's any coincidence that two 7th rounders in a row went to little known kids in Russian Junior.

Finally, ever since last season (Matvei's solid KHL play and stellar Junior play) this kid has been on my radar. I found this interview;

https://en.khl.ru/news/2025/08/14/549139.html

A couple of take-aways that REALLY caught my attention.

Here’s how it went: we lined up for a faceoff, and I saw they’d put out their 13th forward along with two guys from the fourth line. Right away I knew something was up – normally we’d be facing Sergei Lukyantsev’s line. Then it was drop of the puck, whistle. I see them coming in swinging and think: “Well, here we go.”

“I’m two-way… three-way!” he adds. For a checker, however, he scores lots of points. That may not fit the mold. “I’ve got 250 hits – how doesn’t it fit? For the second straight year I’m first in hits.”

Oh, he's going to fit RIGHT IN with this crowd...

Thanks for sharing that article, Pete! Good stuff. Very good quotes and good interview all around. I’m both surprised and thankful the KHL has an English version where someone converted the convo to English.

Also interesting he says he needs to work on his faceoffs!

However, he knows where to improve. “Faceoffs? I’m lucky if I’m at 50 percent,” he admits.

How would Steener hit the Russian Jr circuits hard though? Can he even go there in person? Army said recently all their scouting of Russians lately has been all video. And while I agree Steener likely had some involvement, the Blues do have a Russian scout on staff - Alexei Starovoytov. He’s been a part-time scout for the Blues for 8+ years now. I was assuming he was based in Russia and watching the games live but Army recently saying all the scouting for Russians was done via video so idk now. Maybe Army meant that Alexei is there in person but then obviously the higher ups just see only video? Idk. It was either Feltrin or Taylor that referenced Starovoytov in talking about recent draftee Fyodorov. Speaking of Fyodorov, he’s also doing well. Was voted KHL rookie of the week last week and has a goal and an assist is Russia’s top league so far.

Whoever it is making the calls, I like the idea of taking a flyer late in the draft on some of these Russians that don’t get a lot of viability.

NO, hitting it hard means picking up the phone and talking to a LOT of folks, getting tape, or having conversations with coaches around that league in who they notice or the toughest kid to play against. If someone really peaks your interest, get a hockey-noodle there to smack an eyeball on him to see if its hype or legit...

Good scouting is solid communication with folks IN the league, then going from there. Driving/flying to a practice/game is always the last step...

[STL fan in MN]

Today is shaping up to be a slow news day on the Blues front so perhaps not a better time to talk a bit about one of our lesser known prospects - Matvei Korotky. He scored another goal yesterday and is now up to 5 pts in his first 6 KHL games on the season. A little over 6 feet tall, still only 19.

Here’s his goal from yesterday:
https://x.com/m_meyer3/status/196977846 ... 1K-FGmcAg

The Blues grabbed him in the 7th round last year but he’s been producing like a 1st/2nd round caliber pick. One certainly to keep an eye on.

Two things about this kid and that pick;

First, this has Steen written all over it. There were rumors that Steen was hitting the Russian Junior seen pretty hard these last couple of years, and I don't think it's any coincidence that two 7th rounders in a row went to little known kids in Russian Junior.

Finally, ever since last season (Matvei's solid KHL play and stellar Junior play) this kid has been on my radar. I found this interview;

https://en.khl.ru/news/2025/08/14/549139.html

A couple of take-aways that REALLY caught my attention.

Here’s how it went: we lined up for a faceoff, and I saw they’d put out their 13th forward along with two guys from the fourth line. Right away I knew something was up – normally we’d be facing Sergei Lukyantsev’s line. Then it was drop of the puck, whistle. I see them coming in swinging and think: “Well, here we go.”

“I’m two-way… three-way!” he adds. For a checker, however, he scores lots of points. That may not fit the mold. “I’ve got 250 hits – how doesn’t it fit? For the second straight year I’m first in hits.”

Oh, he's going to fit RIGHT IN with this crowd...

Thanks for sharing that article, Pete! Good stuff. Very good quotes and good interview all around. I’m both surprised and thankful the KHL has an English version where someone converted the convo to English.

Also interesting he says he needs to work on his faceoffs!

However, he knows where to improve. “Faceoffs? I’m lucky if I’m at 50 percent,” he admits.

How would Steener hit the Russian Jr circuits hard though? Can he even go there in person? Army said recently all their scouting of Russians lately has been all video. And while I agree Steener likely had some involvement, the Blues do have a Russian scout on staff - Alexei Starovoytov. He’s been a part-time scout for the Blues for 8+ years now. I was assuming he was based in Russia and watching the games live but Army recently saying all the scouting for Russians was done via video so idk now. Maybe Army meant that Alexei is there in person but then obviously the higher ups just see only video? Idk. It was either Feltrin or Taylor that referenced Starovoytov in talking about recent draftee Fyodorov. Speaking of Fyodorov, he’s also doing well. Was voted KHL rookie of the week last week and has a goal and an assist is Russia’s top league so far.

Whoever it is making the calls, I like the idea of taking a flyer late in the draft on some of these Russians that don’t get a lot of viability.

NO, hitting it hard means picking up the phone and talking to a LOT of folks, getting tape, or having conversations with coaches around that league in who they notice or the toughest kid to play against. If someone really peaks your interest, get a hockey-noodle there to smack an eyeball on him to see if its hype or legit...

Good scouting is solid communication with folks IN the league, then going from there. Driving/flying to a practice/game is always the last step...

Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying what you meant by Steen hitting the Russian Jr scene.

I had the opportunity to chat with him a couple minutes at the Prospect Showcase a couple weekends ago. I think we’re in good hands with him taking over in a year.

[Hockey Pete]

Today is shaping up to be a slow news day on the Blues front so perhaps not a better time to talk a bit about one of our lesser known prospects - Matvei Korotky. He scored another goal yesterday and is now up to 5 pts in his first 6 KHL games on the season. A little over 6 feet tall, still only 19.

Here’s his goal from yesterday:
https://x.com/m_meyer3/status/196977846 ... 1K-FGmcAg

The Blues grabbed him in the 7th round last year but he’s been producing like a 1st/2nd round caliber pick. One certainly to keep an eye on.

Two things about this kid and that pick;

First, this has Steen written all over it. There were rumors that Steen was hitting the Russian Junior seen pretty hard these last couple of years, and I don't think it's any coincidence that two 7th rounders in a row went to little known kids in Russian Junior.

Finally, ever since last season (Matvei's solid KHL play and stellar Junior play) this kid has been on my radar. I found this interview;

https://en.khl.ru/news/2025/08/14/549139.html

A couple of take-aways that REALLY caught my attention.

Here’s how it went: we lined up for a faceoff, and I saw they’d put out their 13th forward along with two guys from the fourth line. Right away I knew something was up – normally we’d be facing Sergei Lukyantsev’s line. Then it was drop of the puck, whistle. I see them coming in swinging and think: “Well, here we go.”

“I’m two-way… three-way!” he adds. For a checker, however, he scores lots of points. That may not fit the mold. “I’ve got 250 hits – how doesn’t it fit? For the second straight year I’m first in hits.”

Oh, he's going to fit RIGHT IN with this crowd...

Thanks for sharing that article, Pete! Good stuff. Very good quotes and good interview all around. I’m both surprised and thankful the KHL has an English version where someone converted the convo to English.

Also interesting he says he needs to work on his faceoffs!

However, he knows where to improve. “Faceoffs? I’m lucky if I’m at 50 percent,” he admits.

How would Steener hit the Russian Jr circuits hard though? Can he even go there in person? Army said recently all their scouting of Russians lately has been all video. And while I agree Steener likely had some involvement, the Blues do have a Russian scout on staff - Alexei Starovoytov. He’s been a part-time scout for the Blues for 8+ years now. I was assuming he was based in Russia and watching the games live but Army recently saying all the scouting for Russians was done via video so idk now. Maybe Army meant that Alexei is there in person but then obviously the higher ups just see only video? Idk. It was either Feltrin or Taylor that referenced Starovoytov in talking about recent draftee Fyodorov. Speaking of Fyodorov, he’s also doing well. Was voted KHL rookie of the week last week and has a goal and an assist is Russia’s top league so far.

Whoever it is making the calls, I like the idea of taking a flyer late in the draft on some of these Russians that don’t get a lot of viability.

NO, hitting it hard means picking up the phone and talking to a LOT of folks, getting tape, or having conversations with coaches around that league in who they notice or the toughest kid to play against. If someone really peaks your interest, get a hockey-noodle there to smack an eyeball on him to see if its hype or legit...

Good scouting is solid communication with folks IN the league, then going from there. Driving/flying to a practice/game is always the last step...

Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying what you meant by Steen hitting the Russian Jr scene.

I had the opportunity to chat with him a couple minutes at the Prospect Showcase a couple weekends ago. I think we’re in good hands with him taking over in a year.

I agree, really like his style. I've never met Alex, but I would like too. I guess I've been out of the game too long...

[STL fan in MN]

Today is shaping up to be a slow news day on the Blues front so perhaps not a better time to talk a bit about one of our lesser known prospects - Matvei Korotky. He scored another goal yesterday and is now up to 5 pts in his first 6 KHL games on the season. A little over 6 feet tall, still only 19.

Here’s his goal from yesterday:
https://x.com/m_meyer3/status/196977846 ... 1K-FGmcAg

The Blues grabbed him in the 7th round last year but he’s been producing like a 1st/2nd round caliber pick. One certainly to keep an eye on.

Two things about this kid and that pick;

First, this has Steen written all over it. There were rumors that Steen was hitting the Russian Junior seen pretty hard these last couple of years, and I don't think it's any coincidence that two 7th rounders in a row went to little known kids in Russian Junior.

Finally, ever since last season (Matvei's solid KHL play and stellar Junior play) this kid has been on my radar. I found this interview;

https://en.khl.ru/news/2025/08/14/549139.html

A couple of take-aways that REALLY caught my attention.

Here’s how it went: we lined up for a faceoff, and I saw they’d put out their 13th forward along with two guys from the fourth line. Right away I knew something was up – normally we’d be facing Sergei Lukyantsev’s line. Then it was drop of the puck, whistle. I see them coming in swinging and think: “Well, here we go.”

“I’m two-way… three-way!” he adds. For a checker, however, he scores lots of points. That may not fit the mold. “I’ve got 250 hits – how doesn’t it fit? For the second straight year I’m first in hits.”

Oh, he's going to fit RIGHT IN with this crowd...

Thanks for sharing that article, Pete! Good stuff. Very good quotes and good interview all around. I’m both surprised and thankful the KHL has an English version where someone converted the convo to English.

Also interesting he says he needs to work on his faceoffs!

However, he knows where to improve. “Faceoffs? I’m lucky if I’m at 50 percent,” he admits.

How would Steener hit the Russian Jr circuits hard though? Can he even go there in person? Army said recently all their scouting of Russians lately has been all video. And while I agree Steener likely had some involvement, the Blues do have a Russian scout on staff - Alexei Starovoytov. He’s been a part-time scout for the Blues for 8+ years now. I was assuming he was based in Russia and watching the games live but Army recently saying all the scouting for Russians was done via video so idk now. Maybe Army meant that Alexei is there in person but then obviously the higher ups just see only video? Idk. It was either Feltrin or Taylor that referenced Starovoytov in talking about recent draftee Fyodorov. Speaking of Fyodorov, he’s also doing well. Was voted KHL rookie of the week last week and has a goal and an assist is Russia’s top league so far.

Whoever it is making the calls, I like the idea of taking a flyer late in the draft on some of these Russians that don’t get a lot of viability.

NO, hitting it hard means picking up the phone and talking to a LOT of folks, getting tape, or having conversations with coaches around that league in who they notice or the toughest kid to play against. If someone really peaks your interest, get a hockey-noodle there to smack an eyeball on him to see if its hype or legit...

Good scouting is solid communication with folks IN the league, then going from there. Driving/flying to a practice/game is always the last step...

Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying what you meant by Steen hitting the Russian Jr scene.

I had the opportunity to chat with him a couple minutes at the Prospect Showcase a couple weekends ago. I think we’re in good hands with him taking over in a year.

I agree, really like his style. I've never met Alex, but I would like too. I guess I've been out of the game too long...

Well, to be fair, it’s not like I met him because I’m “in the game” or anything. Me and my son just happened to be 2 of the very few people there wearing Bluenotes and Steener took notice of that.

[Unfathomable]

I've kept an eye on Korotky ever since we drafted him because i found @MarkSeidel on twitter that year during the draft he said he very well could be the steal of the draft for where we got him. He has always talked pretty highly of our drafting overall one of my favorite "lesser known" prospect follows

[BluesDom]

I tend to no longer get excited about prospects until they do something in the NHL--Preseason is ok with me. I want to see them do it with massive humans who are professionals. Guys who are nasty and hit. It's one thing to do well in other leagues--the NHL is a different animal.




This guy might be great---He may be a non-factor. Measured excitement.



I'm way more excited for the guys knocking on the door like Stenberg and Dvorsky. And guys who are more physically mature like Carbonneau.

I am cautiously optimistic about Pekarcik--seems like he's a special player--I have no idea if he can be a factor in the NHL. So many prospects are rock stars at lower levels. Once they get to the NHL--they have to slot in where there is a need. PK specialist, shot blocker, Energy guy, Play defense/check, Etc.

Smallish pure scorers like this guy and Mrsic--Do they fit in at the NHL level? (sometimes)
I keep thinking back to Nikita Filatov. He was supposed to be a great scorer.

[Hockey Pete]

I tend to no longer get excited about prospects until they do something in the NHL--Preseason is ok with me. I want to see them do it with massive humans who are professionals. Guys who are nasty and hit. It's one thing to do well in other leagues--the NHL is a different animal.




This guy might be great---He may be a non-factor. Measured excitement.



I'm way more excited for the guys knocking on the door like Stenberg and Dvorsky. And guys who are more physically mature like Carbonneau.

I am cautiously optimistic about Pekarcik--seems like he's a special player--I have no idea if he can be a factor in the NHL. So many prospects are rock stars at lower levels. Once they get to the NHL--they have to slot in where there is a need. PK specialist, shot blocker, Energy guy, Play defense/check, Etc.

Smallish pure scorers like this guy and Mrsic--Do they fit in at the NHL level? (sometimes)
I keep thinking back to Nikita Filatov. He was supposed to be a great scorer.

Completely agree with pretty much everything in your post... We're just pretty impressed that a 7th rounder is having this kind of success at a higher level (KHL), and at 19.

To be honest I'm more impressed that the scouting department found him, as I didn't even know this kid existed before he was drafted, and I'm usually plugged in a bit better than most. I mean this kid came out of nowhere...

[Bluesfan1978]

I had been following him since the draft because when he was selected I remember Gabe Foley saying he was one of the best steals of the draft. He had him down as the 40th player in his rankings.

[BluesDom]

I tend to no longer get excited about prospects until they do something in the NHL--Preseason is ok with me. I want to see them do it with massive humans who are professionals. Guys who are nasty and hit. It's one thing to do well in other leagues--the NHL is a different animal.




This guy might be great---He may be a non-factor. Measured excitement.



I'm way more excited for the guys knocking on the door like Stenberg and Dvorsky. And guys who are more physically mature like Carbonneau.

I am cautiously optimistic about Pekarcik--seems like he's a special player--I have no idea if he can be a factor in the NHL. So many prospects are rock stars at lower levels. Once they get to the NHL--they have to slot in where there is a need. PK specialist, shot blocker, Energy guy, Play defense/check, Etc.

Smallish pure scorers like this guy and Mrsic--Do they fit in at the NHL level? (sometimes)
I keep thinking back to Nikita Filatov. He was supposed to be a great scorer.

Completely agree with pretty much everything in your post... We're just pretty impressed that a 7th rounder is having this kind of success at a higher level (KHL), and at 19.

To be honest I'm more impressed that the scouting department found him, as I didn't even know this kid existed before he was drafted, and I'm usually plugged in a bit better than most. I mean this kid came out of nowhere...

Makes total sense! Hopefully he keeps lighting it up! Would be great to see another draft success story!
An elite shot can take you far in the NHL. (as long as you can avoid some hits by big mofo's trying to kill you)

"Korotky’s shooting is his best offensive tool. He moves into dangerous areas very well, keeping his head and feet moving to get open and stay open for as long as possible." -EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide