GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

[Langway]

Seems odd there's no Caps social media coverage of not just the combine but the draft generally since the lottery results were announced about a month ago. It's their first top 10 pick in 15+ years. Yet it's all Hershey stuff on their feed aside from various media links on Caps Today. No backgrounds or overviews on options? Nothing at all? It'll happen over the next week or two but...pretty weak so far.

 

[twabby]

Seems odd there's no Caps social media coverage of not just the combine but the draft generally since the lottery results were announced about a month ago. It's their first top 10 pick in 15+ years. Yet it's all Hershey stuff on their feed aside from various media links on Caps Today. No backgrounds or overviews on options? Nothing at all? It'll happen over the next week or two but...pretty weak so far.

Don’t want to get the fans hyped when they end up trading the pick

 

[usiel]

Seems odd there's no Caps social media coverage of not just the combine but the draft generally since the lottery results were announced about a month ago. It's their first top 10 pick in 15+ years. Yet it's all Hershey stuff on their feed aside from various media links on Caps Today. No backgrounds or overviews on options? Nothing at all? It'll happen over the next week or two but...pretty weak so far.

Vogel is on vacation? Heh.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Maybe the lack of hype is related to the fact the picks ahead of us could go many different ways, and they don't want to influence that before Draft Day. So wait until they are on the floor in Nashville before choosing to show any cards. Very GMBM.

I also wonder if the cumulative shenanigans with Samsonov, Varana, and Kuzy have caused more trepidation against potentially 'flakey' players. I have no idea how they view Michkov in that regard, and may have engaged Ovi in trying to assess him. So they may be fine taking him, or maybe there is a quiet but real level of hesitancy beyond potential long ETA.

We may never know, as he may be off the board by 8 OA.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

I see someone named Kevin Musto (I have no idea who he is, or if he is just a hack driving up clicks with hot takes) posted this far outlier take on Michkov at #9 on the main Prospect board. Anyone know if any of this might in any way be valid?

Maybe Musto is a Red Wings fan hoping to influence a fall so Detroit can grab him at 9 OA!

********************

HK Sochi, KHL
[5’10”. 148lbs. Born on December 9, 2004.]

For a player that has been hyped as long as he has, Michkov is still raw. He won’t be ready to play in the NHL any time soon. You also won’t see an ounce of defensive play out of him. He cheats past the blueline. If the puck isn’t on his stick, he’s not doing anything to help the team. Initially he looked reinvigorated from his move to Sochi, but after coming out the gate with more motivation he mostly reverted back to his usual self. Poor body language, worthless off the puck, prone to becoming a pylon, subpar playmaking, trouble with winning board battles, trying to take four guys head on at once and losing. He also doesn’t have the speed to create lots of separation in transition. It’s a long list of things that make Michkov an annoying player to watch. NHL coaches will find him difficult to work with. After being labeled a “generational prospect” too early, Michkov just hasn’t taken the necessary jumps in his development. Still, there’s potential for upside if you’re patient with his timeline. If he can bulk up and play in the paint at the NHL level, he may be able to develop into a high end version of Brendan Gallagher.

 

[HTFN]

I see someone named Kevin Musto (I have no idea who he is, or if he is just a hack driving up clicks with hot takes) posted this far outlier take on Michkov at #9 on the main Prospect board. Anyone know if any of this might in any way be valid?

Maybe Musto is a Red Wings fan hoping to influence a fall so Detroit can grab him at 9 OA!

********************

HK Sochi, KHL
[5’10”. 148lbs. Born on December 9, 2004.]

For a player that has been hyped as long as he has, Michkov is still raw. He won’t be ready to play in the NHL any time soon. You also won’t see an ounce of defensive play out of him. He cheats past the blueline. If the puck isn’t on his stick, he’s not doing anything to help the team. Initially he looked reinvigorated from his move to Sochi, but after coming out the gate with more motivation he mostly reverted back to his usual self. Poor body language, worthless off the puck, prone to becoming a pylon, subpar playmaking, trouble with winning board battles, trying to take four guys head on at once and losing. He also doesn’t have the speed to create lots of separation in transition. It’s a long list of things that make Michkov an annoying player to watch. NHL coaches will find him difficult to work with. After being labeled a “generational prospect” too early, Michkov just hasn’t taken the necessary jumps in his development. Still, there’s potential for upside if you’re patient with his timeline. If he can bulk up and play in the paint at the NHL level, he may be able to develop into a high end version of Brendan Gallagher.

"Matvei Michkov is a meanie and a total buttface and I don't care who knows it"

 

[Holtbyisms]

I see someone named Kevin Musto (I have no idea who he is, or if he is just a hack driving up clicks with hot takes) posted this far outlier take on Michkov at #9 on the main Prospect board. Anyone know if any of this might in any way be valid?

Maybe Musto is a Red Wings fan hoping to influence a fall so Detroit can grab him at 9 OA!

********************

HK Sochi, KHL
[5’10”. 148lbs. Born on December 9, 2004.]

For a player that has been hyped as long as he has, Michkov is still raw. He won’t be ready to play in the NHL any time soon. You also won’t see an ounce of defensive play out of him. He cheats past the blueline. If the puck isn’t on his stick, he’s not doing anything to help the team. Initially he looked reinvigorated from his move to Sochi, but after coming out the gate with more motivation he mostly reverted back to his usual self. Poor body language, worthless off the puck, prone to becoming a pylon, subpar playmaking, trouble with winning board battles, trying to take four guys head on at once and losing. He also doesn’t have the speed to create lots of separation in transition. It’s a long list of things that make Michkov an annoying player to watch. NHL coaches will find him difficult to work with. After being labeled a “generational prospect” too early, Michkov just hasn’t taken the necessary jumps in his development. Still, there’s potential for upside if you’re patient with his timeline. If he can bulk up and play in the paint at the NHL level, he may be able to develop into a high end version of Brendan Gallagher.

Just a hfb hack. I wouldn't put much faith in it.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Just a hfb hack. I wouldn't put much faith in it.

And that's why I figured it was a far outlier.

If any team has a good handle on his psychology is likely the Caps with all the contacts available.

 

[Acallabeth]

I see someone named Kevin Musto (I have no idea who he is, or if he is just a hack driving up clicks with hot takes) posted this far outlier take on Michkov at #9 on the main Prospect board. Anyone know if any of this might in any way be valid?

Maybe Musto is a Red Wings fan hoping to influence a fall so Detroit can grab him at 9 OA!

It's not like this criticism is totally unwarranted of course, but I can't remember a single person claiming that Michkov was going early in the draft because of defensive play and board battles lol. That guy has some really controversial takes and must have created his list just to grab more attention.

 

[trick9]

Few takeaways from Flyers at the combine:

- Sounds like it's between Leonard (or the next top forward; Moore) or Reinbacher at 7. Apparently they liked Reinbacher a lot.

- Sounds like #7 is off the table, completely. Perhaps there is a deal they like for #22 but even that doesn't sound likely, as of now.

- They did talk to Zach Benson aswell, but none of the Flyers guys around the Combine thinks they are going to take him. They think they can get one of the falling small winger with high upside guys at 22.

They didn't really talk about Matvei Michkov at all. That will remain a question mark.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Hockey Prospects has their final list. Some surprising names top 10. Not affirming/refuting any of these, but it continues to make me wonder how much divergence there actually may be with teams ahead of the Caps.

HP has:

Michkov at 4
Simashev at 5
Barlow at 6
But at 7

Which would leave Caps with a choice of Smith, Benson, Leonard, Dvorsky...

 

[Todos a la Calle]

So if Michkov is off the table, but someone like Will Smith or Ryan Leonard slips -- do we take that player? Have read there's some concern about Will Smith's compete level. Or maybe Leonard falls due to teams prioritizing other players? Unlikely, but could happen, right?

My strategy would be best player available. Which of course would be Michkov if he's not taken. I really don't want to see them trade the pick.

 

[OV Rocks]

So if Michkov is off the table, but someone like Will Smith or Ryan Leonard slips -- do we take that player? Have read there's some concern about Will Smith's compete level. Or maybe Leonard falls due to teams prioritizing other players? Unlikely, but could happen, right?

My strategy would be best player available. Which of course would be Michkov if he's not taken. I really don't want to see them trade the pick.

The closer we get to the draft the more my mindset is Michkov or bust. If he is taken, trade back get an elite player under 25 and a later 1st round pick.

At the lottery I was excited for whoever the pick was and would've been happy to add a prospect to the pool.

I think GMBM is savvy enough to have some stuff in the works with teams with the contingency of what happens at the draft. "Here's the deal we make the pick at 8 if Michkov is there, if not I will get on the phone with you and we make this trade"

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Will Smith isn't slipping.

My favorite upside play outside of Michkov is ASP.

Not worried at all about the size & strength. He's Adam Fox/Quinn Hughes size right now (measured at the combine). The Caps don't have anyone in the system that looks like a legit play driver from the back end. ASP could be that guy.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I’d be happy with Leonard….if he slides.

 

[pman25]

There’s a lot of upside picks you can take at 8 outside of Michkov

I wouldn’t overthink it, just take Benson. He seems likely to be available especially if Reinbacher is rising. The Brayden Point comps are legit. He has production, one of the best passers, and great defense.

Wood, Moore, ASP, Simashev all seem like very solid upside swings as well. I wouldn’t say it’s Michkov or bust

 

[trick9]

It'd be silly to think it's Michkov or bust. The draft is loaded with talent at 8.

 

[Langway]

Scout's Analysis: Observations from the 2023 NHL Draft Combine

Back from their trip to the NHL Draft Combine, Jason Bukala and Sam Cosentino share some of their notes and takeaways on the top prospects.

www.sportsnet.ca

I’m starting to envision teams stepping up to draft the top three right shot defencemen within the first 11 picks of the draft. David Reinbacher, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Tom Willander only increased their momentum with their outstanding interviews.

Emptying the 2023 NHL Combine Notebook - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

We continue our countdown to the NHL Draft by emptying our 2023 Combine notebook. News, insights & takeaways from the weekend included.

thehockeywriters.com

17. Could there be a surprise pick at third? I suppose. Michkov is not expected to go third. Two guys I had suggested to me that could go third in a shocking twist of events: Nate Danielson or Oliver Moore. Don’t hold your breath though. I don’t think anyone else was taken out to dinner by the Blue Jackets this week.

18. Speaking of Moore, he was one of the very last interviews of the Combine. He was also one of the best overall performers in the fitness testing. With his skating, there are some folks who think he’s the most underrated player expected to go outside the top-five. It’s easy to see why.

19. I asked Moore about why many believe in his game: “I just think some of the attributes I hold like my speed and competitiveness. I think that’s something maybe scouts see in me that will translate to the NHL game. I think I’m not afraid to get to the hard areas and I think I’m a player who wants to produce as well and get to the net.”

Couple decent reads. Moore is working with a mental skills coach to work on arguably his biggest weakness (playmaking, controlling/varying tempo offensively). Barlow had a hip flexor at the U18s that further explains a funky tournament. Ritchie played all year with a bum shoulder. That Wood response was...confident. But also in his feelings a bit. Elsewhere it's been reported VAN at 11 took Barlow, Willander and Danielson out for dinner last week.

I don't know if it's loaded per se but 8 is a pretty solid spot to be in compared to even 12. Michkov is the headliner IMO and after that it's more muddled. The smoke around Leonard/Reinbacher likely being gone reduces options a fair bit. If it's not Michkov I think it's one of the centers, Dvorsky or Moore. Probably Dvorsky. He just seems like their type.

 

[Random schmoe]

Some interesting insight in this article to the thoughts of various scouts and executives. The range of opinions are good fodder. (Paywall, The Athletic)

NHL Draft confidential: What scouts and executives think of Bedard, Michkov and more

Who should go No. 2? Where will Michkov land? Here's what Corey Pronman is hearing about the top prospects ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

 

[BiPolar Caps]

BPA baby! We haven't had a draft pick this high since 2007. Retool, rebuild call it what you want, team needs to get younger, faster and better. Ain't going to happen with just one pick or draft. I expect this team will be drafting even higher next season and perhaps the one after that. Save the picks and acquire more of them!

 

[pman25]

Sure, BPA but also... there's literally 15 players they could take. This draft is pretty crazy.

I think I've sufficiently hyped myself on just about any player they could conceivably take. The only one that might throw me is if they take like Tom Willander or something

 

[OV Rocks]

BPA baby! We haven't had a draft pick this high since 2007. Retool, rebuild call it what you want, team needs to get younger, faster and better. Ain't going to happen with just one pick or draft. I expect this team will be drafting even higher next season and perhaps the one after that. Save the picks and acquire more of them!

I know this is all speculation on future careers but I have a feeling the quality of players at the 5-12ish range this year would all be top 3 picks most years. People are calling this one of the deepest draft classes in years. 24, 25, 26 1st round picks just aren't doing it for me use the assets to send Ovi out.

Maximize 8OA, take Michkov or trade it for Ehlers, Bratt, Petterson, Necas, Keller, or Konecny.

 

[Langway]

According to the Michkov thread on the prospects board apparently Nikolishin is now an amateur scout for the Caps (?) and had not great things to say about Michkov's personality.

 

[HTFN]

According to the Michkov thread on the prospects board apparently Nikolishin is now an amateur scout for the Caps (?) and had not great things to say about Michkov's personality.

I have no actual feelings on this but it was the immediate low hanging fruit

 

[pman25]

Is Nikolishin really a scout for us? Didn’t know that. Interesting but also might not sway things much anyway. I’m sure the big dogs have interviewed him and Ovi probably has some sway too…