GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

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I’d rather a non-futures trade myself….


Could always trade him for futures and then trade those futures for NHLers, like they did with Orlov and Sandin. It's probably a lot easier to do it that way honestly, most teams who're close enough to contending to be interested in Kuzy probably don't want to get rid of a useful player in the process.
 
EP Rinkside post U-18 mock has the Caps taking Michkov 8th, which kinda feels lazy, but also is within the realm of possibility.
If neither Montreal nor Philly move up there’s a decent shot, they’re probably not taking him and he’s probably not going top 4, so that could be 6 of 7 spots ahead of 8
 
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Even at his worst Kuzy is a 55 point highly skilled puck moving, smooth skating center and most if not all teams in the league would love him as a 2C with o-zone minutes. Easily worth at least a late 1st rounder, GM might try for more but the cap hit and the no trade list makes it harder.
 
8. Washington Capitals: Zach Benson, C (Winnipeg, WHL)
The Capitals would be getting their next star forward, someone with tremendous skill and speed in such a small package. Benson fell just short of the 100-point mark this year while proving why he was one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the WHL behind Bedard. 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 is going to be a big-time play driver.
Benson's a LW. Michkov mocked to 6. I'd be somewhat tempted by Dvorsky or Moore in that scenario, though Benson is solid enough. I guess there's a chance Benson moves to the middle but I wouldn't count on it.

Beyond the whole Michkov question I guess my late two shortlisters are mainly Leonard & Dvorsky from a competitiveness standpoint. But Benson is solid for what he is. And Moore can fly. 8 is a decent enough spot for a little over three months of suck.
 
Are any of those guys NHL ready, or will they need some time in Hershey?
Conceivably Benson could as a softer-minute third-liner type. Dvorsky could survive physically/defensively but it probably wouldn't be ideal for his development. Leonard & Moore are headed to college. Reinbacher could play a depth role but then there's moving pieces around in the lineup.

Typically it's better to wait a year. That way there's more value gained out of the entirety of the ELC. Only Bedard & Fantilli should be no doubt NHLers next season. Everyone else could use another year.
 

Benson's a LW. Michkov mocked to 6. I'd be somewhat tempted by Dvorsky or Moore in that scenario, though Benson is solid enough. I guess there's a chance Benson moves to the middle but I wouldn't count on it.

Beyond the whole Michkov question I guess my late two shortlisters are mainly Leonard & Dvorsky from a competitiveness standpoint. But Benson is solid for what he is. And Moore can fly. 8 is a decent enough spot for a little over three months of suck.
Benson is my guy if Michkov doesn’t drop so I’d be totally cool with this scenario. He gives me Brayden Point vibes. Terrific skater who is all over the ice with hands and a high IQ to go with it.
 
I think both Dvorsky and Leonard are rising ahead of us, that’s the way my mock falls. I think Leonard is a very good fit with the way Arizona is drafting and Dvorsky seems like a Montreal or Philly pick.

That leaves Michkov or Benson for us.
 
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That leaves Michkov or Benson for us.
I think there's a pretty good chance of that, yeah. The one wild card would be Reinbacher shaking it up but that could then leave both of those wingers on the board. Leonard & Dvorsky do play a pretty pro style with more size than Michkov & Benson. For some that makes them stronger culture options. That said, from a talent standpoint it may be leaving upside on the table offensively. Good for the Caps if so. You definitely do wonder how Michkov & Benson would fare in the playoffs, though. But with the league pivoting away from defense toward finesse and generally being easier for smaller players in general it's not a huge concern.

It's kind of odd how quickly Dvorsky has shot up. He's a guy I liked as a higher floor option around ten but as early as five now? Very strong U18 performance but I'm a bit iffy on the skating projecting well enough. He's a gamer and very advanced against his peers. Good instincts but it's banking a lot on his pace improving to be a highly effective two-way 2C.

Reinbacher the pick in Craig's mock. I could see it but it would be a bit disappointing not adding a legit forward talent to the mix. With where the league is heading they may have real problems keeping up. They could go counter to it and check teams but would need a lot of new components to do it at a high level.
 
I think there's a pretty good chance of that, yeah. The one wild card would be Reinbacher shaking it up but that could then leave both of those wingers on the board. Leonard & Dvorsky do play a pretty pro style with more size than Michkov & Benson. For some that makes them stronger culture options. That said, from a talent standpoint it may be leaving upside on the table offensively. Good for the Caps if so. You definitely do wonder how Michkov & Benson would fare in the playoffs, though. But with the league pivoting away from defense toward finesse and generally being easier for smaller players in general it's not a huge concern.

It's kind of odd how quickly Dvorsky has shot up. He's a guy I liked as a higher floor option around ten but as early as five now? Very strong U18 performance but I'm a bit iffy on the skating projecting well enough. He's a gamer and very advanced against his peers. Good instincts but it's banking a lot on his pace improving to be a highly effective two-way 2C.

Reinbacher the pick in Craig's mock. I could see it but it would be a bit disappointing not adding a legit forward talent to the mix. With where the league is heading they may have real problems keeping up. They could go counter to it and check teams but would need a lot of new components to do it at a high level.
Ugn no Reinbacher please. Probably highest on Dvorsky at the moment around where the Caps will pick. If Michkov does slide to the caps I would say draft him.

Random YT podcast there as talk of Michkov's father's death could be suspicious. Taking a walk at night and ended up drowning in an artificial pond but have not attempted to verify.
 

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