GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread
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Langway
In den Wolken
- Jul 7, 2006
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He's good at the build-up is I guess what I'm saying. In addition to the finishing.
Carry on.
Calicaps
NFA
To your point though, McDavid is a much bigger man (which also makes his elusiveness extra ridiculous). This has been my only hesitation about the Bedard hype. I'd still pick him if the Caps were to win the lottery, but it's a legitimate question.
I don’t really think it’s a legitimate question though, it’s a no brainer of a pick. Generational talent and he’s not even tiny! Maybe if he was like 5’6” or something…but really even if he does go to wing…doesn’t really matter. He’s gonna score a lot
usiel
Where wolf’s ears are, wolf’s teeth are near.
Guess we'll find out his true height at the combine this year. One of the universal truths is heights listed for NHL players are not to be trusted, heh.
Lafreniere was insanely hyped compared to where he's trending as well. Not McDavid/Bedard levels but more than Hischier, Slafkovsky or Power.
Bedard could easily be Brayden Point 2.0 which is still a hell of a player but an insane letdown compared to the hype. He doesn't have McDavid's size or speed at the very least and most of McDavid's game that sticks out so much above #2 is from his speed with the puck
Bedard could easily be Brayden Point 2.0 which is still a hell of a player but an insane letdown compared to the hype. He doesn't have McDavid's size or speed at the very least and most of McDavid's game that sticks out so much above #2 is from his speed with the puck
He doesn't have McDavids size or speed but already right now has a much better shot and nose for the net. Obviously McDavid scored tonnes this year but goalscoring has never been his forte, it's more a secondary effect of his other insane tools.
With Bedard, 60 goals (in this current high-scoring league) seems given.
The question with Bedard for me is if he can play good enough D in the NHL to be a C or if he's better deployed as a Pastrnak type of winger.
But. Hopefully he's a bust so that the Pens can be dissapointed
usiel
Where wolf’s ears are, wolf’s teeth are near.
He doesn't have McDavids size or speed but already right now has a much better shot and nose for the net. Obviously McDavid scored tonnes this year but goalscoring has never been his forte, it's more a secondary effect of his other insane tools.
With Bedard, 60 goals (in this current high-scoring league) seems given.
The question with Bedard for me is if he can play good enough D in the NHL to be a C or if he's better deployed as a Pastrnak type of winger.
But. Hopefully he's a bust so that the Pens can be dissapointed
The below Wheeler piece in The Athletic breaking down Bedard goal scoring is an excellent analysis.
Breaking down Bedard: How (and where) he scored 100 goals in his draft year
How did Connor Bedard end up with such an unthinkable number of goals this season?
theathletic.com
The kid has some unique goal scoring skills that, imho, will translate. It is more the other stuff. Is he a center or get pushed to the wing. He seems decently fast but will he do his damage on the PP and less on even STR. Can he hold up to NHL rigors at his size. Had questions on that side with Kane and Crosby who proved themselves.
trick9
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2013
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One more list... Steven Ellis (dailyfaceoff):
NHL Draft Rankings: Connor Bedard leads pre-draft lottery top 75
NHL Draft Rankings: Connor Bedard leads pre-draft lottery top 75
1. Connor Bedard, C (Regina, WHL)
You already know everything you need to know about the NHL’s next superstar. After scoring 71 goals and 143 points in 57 regular season games, Bedard followed it up by scoring 10 goals and 20 points in just seven playoff games with Regina. The Pats fell in the end, marking the conclusion of one of the best junior careers we’ve ever seen. Truly a special season for an exceptional prospect.
2. Adam Fantilli, C (University of Michigan, NCAA)
Fantill’s rookie campaign saw him lead the NCAA with 65 points en route to the Hobey Baker Award as the best men’s college hockey player. That’s one heck of a consolation prize for the team that misses out on Bedard, because Fantilli would go No. 1 in most other years. Whether or not he decides to go back to Michigan next year, it’s clear Fantilli is ready for the big leagues. Think Jonathan Toews during his prime.
3. Matvei Michkov, C (HK Sochi, KHL)
It might be understated just how good Michkov’s time with Sochi was. Playing on the worst team in the league, he managed to finish with 20 goals in 27 games to finish fourth in team scoring. Six of the team’s nine wins came with Michkov in the lineup, and his 0.74 points-per-game during his time with Sochi is the best by a U-19 in league history – beating out Evgeni Kuznetsov, Eeli Tolvanen, Vladimir Tarasenko, Kirll Kaprizov and Artemi Panarin, among others. He’s special, but since he has a KHL deal until 2026, NHL teams will have to be patient here. There’s always the chance he never comes over, but that’s a risk teams should be willing to take.
4. Leo Carlsson, C (Orebro, SHL)
Carlsson combines speed, physicality and a penchant for highlight-reel plays. He has size, creates havoc in front of the net and held his own against quality competition in the SHL. The highest-scoring U-19 player in Sweden, Carlsson isn’t far from being NHL-ready.
5. Zach Benson, C (Winnipeg, WHL)
Benson dealt with an injury to close out the season, but still managed to pot 36 goals and 98 points. He’s only 5-foot-10, but he’s strong, has a great release and his shift-to-shift effort level will never waver. Benson’s going to be a big-time play driver.
6. Will Smith, C (USNTDP)
Smith became just the fifth player to break the 100-point mark with the USNTDP, joining Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller and teammate Gabe Perreault. Only Hughes (2.24) had a better point-per-game average than Smith’s 2.00. That’s some excellent company to be in.
7. Oliver Moore, C (USNTDP)
Want a speedy, defensively reliable two-way center? Moore’s you’re guy. Some scouts I’ve talked to think Moore has some untapped potential to become one of the better players in this draft class. There’s a reason he was paired up with future stars Cole Eiserman (2024) and James Hagens (2025) – he can do everything and play with anyone.
8. David Reinbacher, D (Kloten, NL)
Not many people had Reinbacher as a first-round pick heading into the season. Now, most have Reinbacher as the best defenseman in the class. He put up excellent numbers in the top Swiss league, a division that hasn’t always been kind to younger blueliners. Reinbacher looked mature beyond his years and could immediately jump over and make an impact in the AHL next season.
9. Ryan Leonard, LW (USNTDP)
The offense is there, but I’ve grown to love his defensive game more and more. He’s excellent in his own zone, already showcasing signs of being a dominant two-way forward. He’s going to turn more heads at the U-18s.
10. Colby Barlow, LW (Owen Sound, OHL)
One of the few players to come close to hitting the 50-goal mark this season, Barlow has scored at all levels and is as confident as anyone handling the puck. There’s room for his all-around game to grow, but scoring clearly isn’t an issue. He was banged up during the OHL playoffs but he’s all good to go for the U-18s.
Langway
In den Wolken
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I think that's pretty much bang on. Dvorsky/Yager/Sale could challenge Barlow down the stretch here but that group definitely seems like the head of the class after the big four.
trick9
Registered User
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My thoughts exactly. Pretty comfortable feeling to go into the lottery. I think you can get a really good player with a top-8 pick or even if you end up dropping a spot. 2 spots would be a really tough one.
That being said... eyes on the prize.
The below Wheeler piece in The Athletic breaking down Bedard goal scoring is an excellent analysis.
Breaking down Bedard: How (and where) he scored 100 goals in his draft year
How did Connor Bedard end up with such an unthinkable number of goals this season?
The kid has some unique goal scoring skills that, imho, will translate. It is more the other stuff. Is he a center or get pushed to the wing. He seems decently fast but will he do his damage on the PP and less on even STR. Can he hold up to NHL rigors at his size. Had questions on that side with Kane and Crosby who proved themselves.
Can't read The Athletic but yeah, you can see the way he scores goals that there's something very special there.
I also think he's going to get both stronger, bigger and faster and when that happens he's gonna be a handful. 50 goal rookie season in a year or two wouldn't surprise me at all.
Langway
In den Wolken
- Jul 7, 2006
- 32,940
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Ryan Leonard has the makings of the next great NHL power forward
When it comes to Leonard’s strengths, take your pick. And soon, an NHL team will pick him quite early on...
www.dailyfaceoff.com
1+1 for Leonard so far. After this tournament he may join Benson & Smith as a consensus top 7 guy...which would not be ideal for the Caps. But Reinbacher may also factor in that mix. I still quite like Moore but he is a bit smaller and there's a bit more projection involved.
Isn't there always some guy who slides out of the top 10 on draft day, and the Caps have a solid history of snagging them... Forsberg, CMM, Lapy and Miro all come to mind, even if they weren't all top 10 ranked pre draft. Point is, Caps like to catch the sliders.... who up higher in this list might slip down to them at 8?
Much job is the only one that’s had any talk around him that he may slide and it’s 100% based on him being Russian and signed there until 2026. Regardless I don’t see him sliding out to 8
Really don’t want the late rising RD. Any of the other top 8 skaters would make me happy. If we pick 9th and all that’s left is Reinbacher, they hopefully trade back (or out) and let some other D needy team take him.
Can’t help but be excited to potentially get a player like Benson, Smith, Moore, or Leonard with the 8th pick. Feels like a few of these guys would be top five picks in other years. Or imagine Michkov sliding. Not a bad place to be in.
Corby78
65 - 10 - 20
I don't know, I've got Yager 10th on my board. Obviously above the 2 D, and before Barlow and Leonard. Still a little high for 8th (assuming we keep it), but I wouldn't be too upset.
Given Iorio and Chesley are in the pipeline plus the extensions given to Jensen and TvR on top of Carlson’s contract, I can’t imagine RD is at the top of their list. They need an impact, potential top line forward. Hopefully a team in front of them takes Reinbacher or goes off the board to give them options at 8.
Corby78
65 - 10 - 20
Agreed, I'm rooting for someone ahead of us to reach with Reinbacher and/or Pellikka. Just a better forward for us if they do.
Langway
In den Wolken
- Jul 7, 2006
- 32,940
- 10,088
Is that boosting Yager as a center? He may be a better playmaker than Leonard but I'd struggle to give him an edge elsewhere. He's more dynamic than Barlow but I still think it's a bit off pace relative to the top group. There's not enough east/west shiftness for me to be a big believer in him as a center or truly dynamic talent all-around. He's crafty but I get, like, better Brett Connolly vibes. He'll be a more effective pro but there are elements that haven't sold me yet. Maybe it's a strength thing but there's likely more at play that largely spell out his profile.
Reinbacher's pretty high floor as a decently sized, well-rounded RD is pretty valuable. He's not a great fit for this team but as far as potential impact toward wins he's top 10 I think. I have to say that after the top eight forwards and Reinbacher I'm not super bullish on the remaining field. Barlow is a mature, physical, fairly well-rounded winger but is a bit flat as a foundational type piece. They're definitely fortunate to most likely remain within that top group.
As for sliders I think it's Michkov and then the other smaller winger maybe in Benson that could slide. Maybe not all the way to 8 but you never know. It's only a few spots. Benson is also long established but you wonder if GMs will question their size and impact down the line as smaller wingers. Whereas Carlsson is bigger, Smith offers some center potential at least and is taller, Leonard is bigger and more physical. Reinbacher also bigger.
He doesn't have McDavids size or speed but already right now has a much better shot and nose for the net. Obviously McDavid scored tonnes this year but goalscoring has never been his forte, it's more a secondary effect of his other insane tools.
With Bedard, 60 goals (in this current high-scoring league) seems given.
The question with Bedard for me is if he can play good enough D in the NHL to be a C or if he's better deployed as a Pastrnak type of winger.
But. Hopefully he's a bust so that the Pens can be dissapointed
Sounds like a better Jack Hughes. I think if people expect him to be McDavid they'll be pretty disappointed as McDavid's skating is as far ahead of the next guy as his is of a 4th liner
If the Caps don't win the lottery for 1st OA or 2nd OA id try and flip 8th OA for Alexander Holtz from the Devils.
He'll have a hard time finding a roster spot next season so there might be incentive for Devils to push the talent coming up further down the timeline.
He'll have a hard time finding a roster spot next season so there might be incentive for Devils to push the talent coming up further down the timeline.
Corby78
65 - 10 - 20
If Michkov slides right now I don't see it farther than 6. I don't think a team picking at 7 would pass on him for a Dvorsky or Sale type guy. I think there is a drop after the top 6, then a group of 8 forwards and 2 D, than depending on what kind of player you want its hard to predict.
Size is less of an issue in todays league if you can skate.
McDavid can skate, obviously.
Bedard is an excellent skater.
My comps for Bedard are Yzerman/Sakic.
