GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

Langway

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Jul 7, 2006
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If not Michkov I'd wager the safe money being on Dvorsky or Reinbacher. Could be Benson. If they've got interest in Michkov they should have some in Benson as well. But I'd be a bit surprised.
 

HTFN

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Feb 8, 2009
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If not Michkov I'd wager the safe money being on Dvorsky or Reinbacher. Could be Benson. If they've got interest in Michkov they should have some in Benson as well. But I'd be a bit surprised.

Man, Reinbacher just seems like such a bummer from the outside. Like Orlov Light....

That side of the window seems, if not set, at least set up for the timeline that the Capitals need to succeed before it's truly over for Ovechkin and co.

Anything else that feels safe like that just seems like a guy who will eventually be traded for assets to make the rebuild happen
 
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Langway

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Jul 7, 2006
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Dvorsky/Reinbacher wouldn't be sexy but could be pretty valuable playoff performers and minute-eaters. I agree that if they don't primarily target star potential it may be better to trade the pick for immediate help instead. That said, if Dvorsky can improve his skating and refine his game then a cerebral 60-80 pt. 200 ft. center that may be a playoff style money competitor isn't a boring ambition. If they're taking him at 8 it's because they've got to believe the various glimpses of elite production against his peer group are indicators of significant top six upside.

While I agree RD is the last of their needs if they're taking BPA that shouldn't factor in too heavily. He could be an Ekblad light, maybe even a Pietrangelo type if all goes right. Again, maybe not sexy or super dynamic but ones that could nonetheless be heavily leaned-upon all-situations minute-eaters that help facilitate stout underlying play.
 

Ovechkins Wodka

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Dec 1, 2007
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The trade up might be to #6 if the Habs dont pick Michkov. Might be much cheaper then the insane price tag Habs seem to have.

Lets be real in 3 years Phoenix will prob be a new team.
 

usiel

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Reinbacher....
giphy.gif
 

Langway

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Jul 7, 2006
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I would think about Moore if Michkov/Leonard/Dvorsky were off the board. Be it at 8 or maybe a slight trade back.

Benson could be entertaining watching him figure it out. He could be special. I'm not sure about his raw goal-scoring upside and physical capacity to withstand the rigor of playing his game in the NHL. Maybe based on IQ and work ethic, somewhat similar to Crosby or even younger Parise, he'd consistently find ways to tilt the ice, tire out teams and generate chances. But it would more of a decision in that event. I'd still opt for him at 8 but if Michkov/Leonard/Dvorsky go I'm at least a lot less sure what direction they would go. Not terrible but less predictable.

If Michkov makes it to 7 I think they'd probably move up for him if the ask isn't massive. Again, we'll see.
 
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Hivemind

We're Touched
Oct 8, 2010
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I dont think trading up 1 spot is a great option. It only makes sense if the team right above you has both your pick and another pick rated almost evenly. If they value the same player as your pick, they aren't trading it. If they are too willing to trade it, then just call the bluff and let them pick who they have slated and you take who you wanted.
 
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EroCaps

Registered User
Aug 24, 2003
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If not Michkov then I want Leonard, Moore, Benson.

Dvorsky doesn’t have the upside. Reinbacher is being overdrafted.

It’s sounding like San Jose or Montreal is going to take a swing on Michkov. Lets hope he pisses one off and the other takes Will Smith.

I have a hard time seeing the kid ever go to Arizona or Keith Jones drafting a Russian.
 
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Brian23

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Dec 3, 2011
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One little nugget from the Mahoney interview was that a injury (groin) impacted Alzner's career ultimately.
I thought we knew this...? He was basically unable to move anymore when he finally came back from injury or they'd have probably resigned him. Instead Montreal (I think?) got the honor of giving him his long term deal and got stuck with the husk that was Alzner.

Also his hands, but that's an off the ice thing.
 

twabby

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Mar 9, 2010
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I dont think trading up 1 spot is a great option. It only makes sense if the team right above you has both your pick and another pick rated almost evenly. If they value the same player as your pick, they aren't trading it. If they are too willing to trade it, then just call the bluff and let them pick who they have slated and you take who you wanted.

I think it also makes sense if another team (say Detroit) is trying to move up to #7 to take Michkov and Philadelphia is soliciting the best offers to trade down.
 

Todos a la Calle

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Mar 30, 2015
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I am no prospect guru, but I'd be against drafting Reinbacher. Top-rated defensemen always feel like a crapshoot. Part of it is probably that they get rushed into the NHL too early, when defensemen need more time to develop. Seems like a defenseman drafted in the late 1st/2nd round has about as much a chance of becoming a star, outside of the truly elite prospects like Hedman or Makar.
 

usiel

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I am no prospect guru, but I'd be against drafting Reinbacher. Top-rated defensemen always feel like a crapshoot. Part of it is probably that they get rushed into the NHL too early, when defensemen need more time to develop. Seems like a defenseman drafted in the late 1st/2nd round has about as much a chance of becoming a star, outside of the truly elite prospects like Hedman or Makar.
Reinbacher kinda feels like an Azlner so with the good forward depth at the top of the draft just really feel strongly not going there at #8.
 

usiel

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I thought we knew this...? He was basically unable to move anymore when he finally came back from injury or they'd have probably resigned him. Instead Montreal (I think?) got the honor of giving him his long term deal and got stuck with the husk that was Alzner.

Also his hands, but that's an off the ice thing.
My recollection after he came back supposedly fully recovered it as clear he lost what little extra gear he had. He was a little faster than one would think before that injury.
 

Kalopsia

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I thought we knew this...? He was basically unable to move anymore when he finally came back from injury or they'd have probably resigned him. Instead Montreal (I think?) got the honor of giving him his long term deal and got stuck with the husk that was Alzner.

Also his hands, but that's an off the ice thing.
The hands were definitely an on-ice thing. I'll always remember this anecdote from an interview towards the end of his time with the Caps that really made me feel bad for him.
Alzner revealed his plight during a discussion with John Auville about blocking shots.

“Sometimes where you get hit right in the hand, we have gloves on, but they only protect you a little bit,” Alzner continued. “You get them right in the hand, it’s pretty easy to break something. It’s kind of embarrassing, but my wife (Mandy) is the one who opens up all the jars in our house because my hands have been broken so many times from the shots. I’ve got pretty weak hands now.”
 
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Caps8112

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so im sure im completely forgetting a good player but when was the last time the caps did anything at the draft regarding moving up to get a player and that player turned into anything? Guess im still used to anything that could be uniquely positive for the caps being snuffed out immediately. After they won the cup I thought ok, here we go, we will start being a team that good bounces happen too regularly. Bam, next season, lose to bunch of kids in the first round. Back to normal.
 

pman25

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Aug 29, 2009
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Caps do trade up for guys, but trade ups are just so rare in the top 10. Trading down does significantly lower the chance that you draft a star. So most teams stay put.

That being said, GMBM isn't afraid to identify a target and move up for him. Lapierre, Siegenthaler come to mind. But those were much lower and the capital needed to move up wasn't much. On the flip side, it seems that they had Miroshnichenko rated fairly high last year and just waited for him to fall to them.
 

twabby

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Mar 9, 2010
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If we can't get Michkov, I'm all aboard the Benson train. I dig how he plays. Tenacious on the puck, good hockey IQ, and a great two way player. That being said, I think it's rare Caps take smallish wingers.

If they keep their selection and if Michkov is off the board then I’m with you on Benson.

I also wonder if Gulyayev begins to fall (McKenzie has him mid 20s) if Washington doesn’t try to trade up for him. I would. Based on production he’s right there with Reinbacher as the top D in the draft.
 

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