GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

[CapitalsCupReality]

If the Caps pass on Michkov bc Niko had his feel feels hurt, things are going to get spicy.

Or…….maybe he really is a dickhead? If you’re not trusting your lone regional scout, why bother having one at all?

I hope it’s 3D chess and part of a giant plan to manipulate the draft, but we'll see. Part of me wonders if the NHL would punish us for a blatant misinformation campaign to pull off said draft manipulation.

 

[Calicaps]

Or…….maybe he really is a dickhead? If you’re not trusting your lone regional scout, why bother having one at all?

I hope it’s 3D chess and part of a giant plan to manipulate the draft, but we'll see. Part of me wonders if the NHL would punish us for a blatant misinformation campaign to pull off said draft manipulation.

One of the most interesting thing about all of this to me is that on the one hand, Michkov is gonna fall because no one has access to him. But on the other hand, we 100% know he's equal to Bedard/Ovi/whoever because numbers. And evne though a huge part of what makes Ovi Ovi, for instance, is how his personality works together with his gods-given talent. Yet somehow it doesn't matter if Michkov is a shit personality-wise.

Meanwhile, Niko actually has access to Michkov and presumably has watched him play as well as seen the stats. But let's definitely ignore that.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

My assumption is the Caps are probably using Ovi to find out more intel about Michkov from other Russian players and coaches but being that Niko is on the scouting staff….I imagine his opinion has weight.

 

[Langway]

Or…….maybe he really is a dickhead? If you’re not trusting your lone regional scout, why bother having one at all?

I hope it’s 3D chess and part of a giant plan to manipulate the draft, but we'll see. Part of me wonders if the NHL would punish us for a blatant misinformation campaign to pull off said draft manipulation.

I mean, it was a random Youtube appearance. Niko just seems like a media hog. The first we found out that he was even employed (twice actually) has been from media appearances. It may also be that Niko is embellishing simply for effect. I guess we'll see when their draft guide is released whether he's a listed scout or not. He wasn't back at the start of last season.

Either way I don't think Niko's say outweighs Mahoney's gut. Mahoney presumably was at those past international tournaments Michkov torched. That was a while ago now and he may not have had any live views since. Perhaps very little contact as well. Perhaps it comes down to whether Michkov meets with them next week and they get a better feel. I would guess their threshold for being convinced is far lower than most. Unless indeed the contract situation puts them off or if the character rumors have been strongly confirmed throughout the course of their research it's hard to imagine he wouldn't top their list. It may be a perfect storm.

 

[HTFN]

I mean, it was a random Youtube appearance. Niko just seems like a media hog. The first we found out that he was even employed (twice actually) has been from various media appearances. It may also be that Niko is embellishing for simply effect. I guess we'll see when their draft guide is released whether he's a listed scout for them or not. He wasn't back at the start of last season.

Either way I don't think Niko's say outweighs Mahoney's gut. Mahoney presumably was at those past international tournaments Michkov torched. That was a while ago now and he may not have had any live views since. Perhaps very little contact as well. Perhaps it comes down to whether Michkov meets with them next week and they get a better feel. I would guess their threshold for being convinced is far lower than most. Unless indeed the contract situation puts them off or if the character rumors have been strongly confirmed throughout the course of their research it's hard to imagine he wouldn't top their list. It may be a perfect storm.

"Michkov entered the interview holding 8 lit cigarettes, smoked them all in a row like he was playing a harmonica, then threw them all on the carpet. He adjusted his sealskin coat and popped the collar before throwing himself in a chair, putting his muddy boots on the table, and yelling 'what's up you f***ing assholes' only to immediately shush the first person to speak to take a phone call."

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I mean, it was a random Youtube appearance. Niko just seems like a media hog. The first we found out that he was even employed (twice actually) has been from media appearances. It may also be that Niko is embellishing simply for effect. I guess we'll see when their draft guide is released whether he's a listed scout or not. He wasn't back at the start of last season.

Either way I don't think Niko's say outweighs Mahoney's gut. Mahoney presumably was at those past international tournaments Michkov torched. That was a while ago now and he may not have had any live views since. Perhaps very little contact as well. Perhaps it comes down to whether Michkov meets with them next week and they get a better feel. I would guess their threshold for being convinced is far lower than most. Unless indeed the contract situation puts them off or if the character rumors have been strongly confirmed throughout the course of their research it's hard to imagine he wouldn't top their list. It may be a perfect storm.

I disagree. This isn’t about anyone questioning his talent. If a player has serious character flaws..there is no gut feeling on that..he either does or doesn’t.

 

[Langway]

It depends on the degree, right? Is he a solid teammate and shit with the media? Is he coachable and all that but restricted by SKA not to engage with scouts? There's some belief that may have been the case so there could be a lot more to the story than one person's account. We just don't really know. It's a balancing act between upside and risk. They've frequently, in part due to draft position, coveted upside and downplayed risk somewhat out of necessity. At 8 they're not forced to do that. They can be selective. IF such reports are highly negative they could opt for Benson or others for a multitude of reasons. But we don't really know the veracity of these comments. It's part of the issue with such limited info.

A sit-down won't have any more bearing than their vetting. But if their research hasn't made the idea a dealbreaker and it's a close call they're laboring over it could help close the deal.

 

[HTFN]

It depends on the degree, right? Is he a solid teammate and shit with the media? Is he coachable and all that but restricted by SKA not to engage with scouts? There's some belief that may have been the case so there could be a lot more to the story than one person's account. We just don't really know. It's a balancing act between upside and risk. They've frequently, in part due to draft position, coveted upside and downplayed risk somewhat out of necessity. At 8 they're not forced to do that. They can be selective. IF such reports are highly negative they could opt for Benson or others for a multitude of reasons. But we don't really know the veracity of these comments. It's part of the issue with such limited info.

A sit-down won't have any more bearing than their vetting. But if their research hasn't made the idea a dealbreaker and it's a close call they're laboring over it could help close the deal.

Oh you don't want a sit down with Michkov, he'll kick your shins under the table and he spits when he talks

 

[trick9]

Patrik Laine was reported to be a dick for years before he was draft-eligible. Yelling at teammates, throwing a tantrum at coaches when they refuse to play him every second shift and all kinds of stuff like that. And those reports actually came out year or two before he was drafted. Not during the same month they are drafted. Listen to any insider out there and they all point out that everyone lies around the draft.

Either way even if he's a arrogant dickhead, he's still not going to get passed up for that reason. Just like Patrik Laine was closer to 1OA conversation than dropping anywhere from 2OA despite all those reports being out there.

 

[OV Rocks]

Misleading comps, both of you. Sometimes those picks are Carlsons, Forsbergs, Vranas, and Wilsons. And when you draft them, you have a chance to keep them, maybe forever. You also get to benefit from the years of cheap contracts they'll have to sign early.

So maybe Michkov is going to be like Bedard. MAYBE. But you have a few chances ahead of you to draft a Wilson AND a Pavelski AND a Carlson AND a Stone, etc. You have a chance to build a robust, cost-controlled core. THAT is what wins championships. One superstar doesn't.

To your point, twabs, if we do our homework in drafts and free agency, we can have a steady stream of great draft talent AND the overachieving, diamond in the rough castoffs you're referencing.

I'm all for drafting Michkov if he falls to us and wouldn't fuss too much about a not-too-pricey package to move up. But this talk of two additional 1sts is nonsense.

I agree, every pick is a crap shoot, hell even Connor Bedard could underwhelm. I love all the guys you listed as great examples of picks later in the first round that have grown into all stars.

I will argue though that there is a massive difference in what Carlson, Forsberg, Vrana, and Wilson were expected to and have turned into and what a player like Michkov could turn into.

John Carlson has received a few Noris votes in his career and arguably should have won one, Stone a few Selke votes. Wilson Forsberg, Pavelski are all great top line players.

The potential of Michkov is beyond all of those players though, his potential is a Calder trophy, Hart trophy, Art Ross trophy. That is a totally different level from those players and most first round picks.

I agree one superstar doesn't do it, but you do need to have atleast one on your roster. Show me a Stanley Cup winner without a superstar

 

[Capitals40]

I agree, every pick is a crap shoot, hell even Connor Bedard could underwhelm. I love all the guys you listed as great examples of picks later in the first round that have grown into all stars.

I will argue though that there is a massive difference in what Carlson, Forsberg, Vrana, and Wilson were expected to and have turned into and what a player like Michkov could turn into.

John Carlson has received a few Noris votes in his career and arguably should have won one, Stone a few Selke votes. Wilson Forsberg, Pavelski are all great top line players.

The potential of Michkov is beyond all of those players though, his potential is a Calder trophy, Hart trophy, Art Ross trophy. That is a totally different level from those players and most first round picks.

I agree one superstar doesn't do it, but you do need to have atleast one on your roster. Show me a Stanley Cup winner without a superstar

Vegas doesn't really have a superstar. But, they are the exception.

 

[Langway]

The Blues and post-lockout Hurricanes fit the bill. It doesn't happen often but once in a while it does.

 

[twabby]

Vegas doesn't really have a superstar. But, they are the exception.

Mark Stone and Jack Eichel are both superstars. Stone has the best GAR/60 in the entire NHL over the past 5 years, and Eichel is #22.

St. Louis was the team I was thinking of but even they had Tarasenko and O’Reilly who were #14 and #22 in GAR/60 in the 5 years leading up to their Cup win.

 

[max21]

Mark stone is not a superstar lol

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Mark Stone and Jack Eichel are both superstars. Stone has the best GAR/60 in the entire NHL over the past 5 years, and Eichel is #22.

St. Louis was the team I was thinking of but even they had Tarasenko and O’Reilly who were #14 and #22 in GAR/60 in the 5 years leading up to their Cup win.

Lol no dude they are not. All-star level at best.

 

[Capitals40]

Mark Stone and Jack Eichel are both superstars. Stone has the best GAR/60 in the entire NHL over the past 5 years, and Eichel is #22.

St. Louis was the team I was thinking of but even they had Tarasenko and O’Reilly who were #14 and #22 in GAR/60 in the 5 years leading up to their Cup win.

This is a nice stat. But, I look at production more than anything for a superstar. Stone, to me, doesn't qualify. He's missed over half his games the last 5 seasons due to injury. When healthy he's about a point per game guy. Eichel, right now not a superstar. He is not far removed from his neck injury. But his point production was in the 60's in a season where guys were scoring over 100. Eichel was
71st in the league in scoring

 

[OV Rocks]

Vegas - Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo

St. Louis - Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Rielly then was a super star, can't judge him right now

Jack Eichel is a super star. I remember watching him in the Vegas vs. Caps game this year that ended in an OT win for Vegas. He is a better goal scoring version of what Backstrom was at his peak

 

[Caps8112]

Vegas - Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo

St. Louis - Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O'Rielly then was a super star, can't judge him right now

Jack Eichel is a super star. I remember watching him in the Vegas vs. Caps game this year that ended in an OT win for Vegas. He is a better goal scoring version of what Backstrom was at his peak

Was going to say Pietrangelo for both. Obviously not Ovi level superstar but he was considered best D at one point or another. Eichel also counts imo. Vegas also had the secondary scoring. No team wins without it. The caps finally got it and won the cup.

 

[HeyMattyB]

Generational Talent
Superstar Talent
All-Star Talent
Star Talent
Planetary-Sized Talent
Small Moon Talent
Lifeless Asteroid Talent
Talentless Black Hole Where Offense, Defense, and All Things Go to Die

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

So…multiple interviews setup with top-10 teams….no bueno!

 

[OV Rocks]

My point being 5 years from now with no Ovechkin on the roster there are no superstars. McMichael, Lapierre, Protas, Suzdalev, Miro (star potential), Iorio, or any player we pick this year are all great pieces but not the elite game breaking piece that someone like Michkov would be.

 

[Langway]

Oh, superGAR. I see.

So…multiple interviews setup with top-10 teams….no bueno!

Eh. Got nothing on Simashev. I think it's probably a stretch to make a Seider comparison with him but he could have a similar rise. Probably no sooner than 9 but you never know.

 

[Caps8112]

Generational Talent
Superstar Talent
All-Star Talent
Star Talent
Planetary-Sized Talent
Small Moon Talent
Lifeless Asteroid Talent
Talentless Black Hole Where Offense, Defense, and All Things Go to Die

and somewhere far far beneath the last option is

Mantha

 

[hockeykicker]

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

"Nothing to see here. Move along."