GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

[Raikkonen]

He literally opted out of the last year of his deal to go to Washington and the Caps have nothing to do with it?

Right

 

[HTFN]

Right

Pretty categorically wrong. Don't know what kool-aid you're drinking but the events all coincided, it's very clear that the Capitals do, in fact, matter in the decision.

 

[Raikkonen]

Pretty categorically wrong. Don't know what kool-aid you're drinking but the events all coincided, it's very clear that the Capitals do, in fact, matter in the decision.

Im not drinking anything. Just having a very good source on that.

 

[HTFN]

Im not drinking anything. Just having a very good source on that.

And what’s your source say about it? What’s the real reason if instantly signing an ELC isn’t it?

 

[trick9]

NHL Combine is such a poorly promoted event. I don't know why it is held during the Finals but i've yet to see any news coming out even though the team-player interview period is well underway already.

Does anyone remember has anyone covered it in the past for the Caps? Is there going to be any news on who they interviewed?

 

[Jags]

Capitals Should Use 8th Pick in 2023 Draft on David Reinbacher - The Hockey Writers Washington Capitals Latest News, Analysis & More

The Washington Capitals hold the eighth overall pick in the 2023 Entry Draft and should consider using it on David Reinbacher.

thehockeywriters.com

I don't agree, just sharing some Caps content. Wouldn't be the worst draft pick ever though.

 

[HTFN]

Capitals Should Use 8th Pick in 2023 Draft on David Reinbacher - The Hockey Writers Washington Capitals Latest News, Analysis & More

The Washington Capitals hold the eighth overall pick in the 2023 Entry Draft and should consider using it on David Reinbacher.

thehockeywriters.com

I don't agree, just sharing some Caps content. Wouldn't be the worst draft pick ever though.

Article genuinely had me frustrated. Just a plodding piece with next to zero depth or intricacy, writer clearly has no read on the pulse of the franchise

 

[twabby]

His style of play also fits what NHL teams look for in a defenseman nowadays. He’s an intelligent, steady player who excels in his positioning. While it’s not his biggest strength, he can also contribute offensively when needed, leading him to be projected as a two-way defenseman in the NHL.

Sounds like a second pairing defenseman to me. That'd be a huge waste of a pick if true.

 

[usiel]

Capitals Should Use 8th Pick in 2023 Draft on David Reinbacher - The Hockey Writers Washington Capitals Latest News, Analysis & More

The Washington Capitals hold the eighth overall pick in the 2023 Entry Draft and should consider using it on David Reinbacher.

thehockeywriters.com

I don't agree, just sharing some Caps content. Wouldn't be the worst draft pick ever though.

Please no to that pick.

 

[Rayquaza64]

I’d much rather bank on one of iorio/chesley to be the 2RD of the future/just sign one, there’s almost no world where reinbacher is BPA

 

[Holtbyisms]

Way too much top line offensive talent available to settle on the next right handed karl alzner. I remember being all in on Turris, Couture and McDonagh that year...when we took Alzner it was such a safe unexciting pick. I knew he'd pan out but man was I disappointed. Don't need that again, we need to shoot for the moon or else it's going to be a long slow grinder type of rebuild.

 

[Corby78]

Capitals Should Use 8th Pick in 2023 Draft on David Reinbacher - The Hockey Writers Washington Capitals Latest News, Analysis & More

The Washington Capitals hold the eighth overall pick in the 2023 Entry Draft and should consider using it on David Reinbacher.

thehockeywriters.com

I don't agree, just sharing some Caps content. Wouldn't be the worst draft pick ever though.

Reinbacher has slipped in some of the latest rankings. Hard pass for multiple reasons

 

[trick9]

I would be completely fine with Reinbacher, even though it would be great to add a forward. He's going to be a good one.

I don't think there is much to worry for you who don’t want him. I think there is a bigger chance that he goes top-5 than him being available at 8.

 

[um]

I would be completely fine with Reinbacher, even though it would be great to add a forward. He's going to be a good one.

I don't think there is much to worry for you who don’t want him. I think there is a bigger chance that he goes top-5 than him being available at 8.

Interesting, I haven’t seen many projections with him that high. But teams do draft for position sometimes.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

If Reinbacher and Dvorsky go ahead of us there is a possibility we could have our choice out of two of Smith/Leonard/Benson. Those chances increase if someone ahead of us also goes off the board, say chasing the next Tage Thompson (Wood, or Honzek).

Caps could get a real offensive gem this draft. Going to be fascinating to watch.

 

[Roshi]

I really want a high offensive upside forward, but cant really complain if its Reinbacher.

Not a splashy or sexy pick, but propably a smart one.

Have a bit of same touch with Dvorsky. Its highly possible its going to be one of these two. So, not exciting pick but solid anyways.

 

[pman25]

Reinbacher wouldn't be my first choice, but he's close to Nemec and Jiricek who both want #2 and #6 last year. He is good. But really, from organizational depth standpoint, hard to get that excited about that type of pick. And forward depth is just way better this year compared to last.

There are seven forwards that I think are automatic picks if they make it to us (obv knowing Bedard, Fantilli are going 1, 2)

Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov, Smith, Leonard, Benson.

Good chance at least one of Benson/Leonard are there. But after that, it gets harder. Dvorsky probably isn't my pick at 8, I'd rather roll the dice on Oliver Moore's speed or Matthew Wood's hands

 

[usiel]

Reinbacher wouldn't be my first choice, but he's close to Nemec and Jiricek who both want #2 and #6 last year. He is good. But really, from organizational depth standpoint, hard to get that excited about that type of pick. And forward depth is just way better this year compared to last.

There are seven forwards that I think are automatic picks if they make it to us (obv knowing Bedard, Fantilli are going 1, 2)

Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov, Smith, Leonard, Benson.

Good chance at least one of Benson/Leonard are there. But after that, it gets harder. Dvorsky probably isn't my pick at 8, I'd rather roll the dice on Oliver Moore's speed or Matthew Wood's hands

Woods gives me a bit of a Mantha vibe. Sort of a 6'5 decent hands but plays the wall game like they are 5'10.

 

[trick9]

Some thoughts on the Kent Hughes (Habs GM) presser:

- I still feel very convinced they aren't going to draft Michkov.

- I get the sense that they really like Will Smith and Ryan Leonard. Smith isn't a surprise and he likely won't be there but Leonard is a bit of a surprise.

I do wonder still if David Reinbacher is on their radar too.

 

[Holtbyisms]

Some thoughts on the Kent Hughes (Habs GM) presser:

- I still feel very convinced they aren't going to draft Michkov.

- I get the sense that they really like Will Smith and Ryan Leonard. Smith isn't a surprise and he likely won't be there but Leonard is a bit of a surprise.

I do wonder still if David Reinbacher is on their radar too.

I'm not super worried about MTL taking him. The #1 overall whiff(my humble opinion) makes me think they go safe safe safe. My concern is San Jose. If he makes it past them I think he falls to 8.

 

[HTFN]

I'm not super worried about MTL taking him. The #1 overall whiff(my humble opinion) makes me think they go safe safe safe. My concern is San Jose. If he makes it past them I think he falls to 8.

It really sounds like Detroit should be the worry....

 

[pman25]

I think Michkov is going to San Jose

 

[Hivemind]

I haven't really watched or researched in depth enough about picks in 2023 to comment on Reinbacher specifically. I'll probably binge a bit of scouting content leading up to the draft. But speaking generally, just take the BPA. There can be critical analysis done of the scouting staff if they keep producing the same type of player as their preferred BPA (and the Caps brass does seem to do that to an extent, especially in rounds 2 and beyond), but that's a decision making process to be done between drafts, not at the draft table. Don't worry about team needs. Team needs will change drastically in the 2-4 years it takes before these prospects are contributing in the NHL. The only thing that should be done at the draft table is decide if it's worth it to trade up or down, based on availability and projecting if your BPA is going to get snatched up or be available later. We haven't had a pick in the Top 10 for a while, so it definitely needs to be treated a bit differently than a standard first round pick, but I'd appreciate if they stopped trading up in the middle and later rounds. It just wastes ammo.

If a defensive-oriented D is your BPA, you pick them. Even if its in the Top 10. Once again, at this point in time, I don't have a whole lot of read on Reinbacher. But how many of us would go back in time and not pick Karl Alzner at #5 in 2007? Hindsight is 20/20, and you can argue that they missed out on better players in Voracek (#7), Couture (#9), and Pacioretty (#22). But they still got a guy who gave the Capitals franchise nearly 600 games of NHL play, and considering the two players picked before him are Kyle Turris and Thomas Hickey, and Sam Gagner was picked right after Alzner - I'd say they did pretty well with that #5 pick.

(Insert obligatory comment about how Alzner's earliest seasons were among his very best, and he never really took a big step forwards after his early-20s )

 

[twabby]

Here is Patrick Bacon’s rankings of players according to NHL equivalency stats, sorted by star probability:



Michkov over Bedard might be a bit spicy but I can buy it based solely on production to date. Reinbacher does rate strongly in this metric.

To me I’m more and more convinced they should do all they can to move up to get Michkov. Maybe it’s not possible, but they should unload the clip in an attempt to move up. Give up the next two first round picks if you have to. Heck give up the next 3. It’d be worth it for Bedard and I suspect it would be for Michkov.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Chris Peters put his first mock draft out and he has the Flyers taking Michkov. Now that the Flyers have another 1st round pick and if Briere wants to really rebuild they may be willing to take on the risk with Matvei at 7.

2023 NHL Draft Mock 1.0: Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson On Top - FloHockey

1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard; 2. Anaheim Ducks; Adam Fantilli; 3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Leo Carlsson; 4. San Jose Sharks: Will Smith.

www.flohockey.tv

Here is Patrick Bacon’s rankings of players according to NHL equivalency stats, sorted by star probability:



Michkov over Bedard might be a bit spicy but I can buy it based solely on production to date. Reinbacher does rate strongly in this metric.

To me I’m more and more convinced they should do all they can to move up to get Michkov. Maybe it’s not possible, but they should unload the clip in an attempt to move up. Give up the next two first round picks if you have to. Heck give up the next 3. It’d be worth it for Bedard and I suspect it would be for Michkov.

Seems like a gamble but worth it if you have the cornerstone that you can build the team around (post Ovi era).