GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Maybe it's been the association with Montreal at various points in the draft leadup, but Dvorsky strikes me as Plekanec-ish.

 

[Neil Racki]

I really don't know crap about these prospects beyond what people write on the internet, but I guess, if Michkov gets drafted early, I'll be rooting for Benson, Leonard or Barlow, who seems to be a late riser? Dvorsky or Moore seem like solid picks as well, although perhaps not quite as exciting.

But it seems like whichever way you slice it, there will be a very good player available at 8.

Thats where Im at.

Whoever it is instantly becomes our No. 1 prospect. Hendrix and CMM look to be decent NHLers at best and Ivan is our highest rated prospect but a question mark.

 

[Todos a la Calle]

If Dvorsky has the upside of a 50-60 point center who can shut down an opposing top line, that's worth a gamble. But I understand the concern that he could top out as Lars Eller.

I agree that we probably shouldn't draft defense. Reinbacher seems like Alzner 2.0. Seems like the best defensemen from any given year are often not those taken at the top of the draft.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Leonard would be a quality pick.

Draft for upside, please.

If Michkov is off the board and that means Zach Benson then so be it.

Safe low upside picks like Dvorsky, Reinbacher, etc. are for losers.

I think this undersells Dvorsky and Reinbacher. Those kids will be studs. As much as Benson, Moore, Wood and maybe even Leonard.

Any of them will be a well needed infusion into the pipeline. ANY of them, IMO. Yes, I have my favourites, but I truly don’t see any as “loser” picks. Not this year

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

I think this undersells Dvorsky and Reinbacher. Those kids will be studs. As much as Benson, Moore, Wood and maybe even Leonard.

Any of them will be a well needed infusion into the pipeline. ANY of them, IMO. Yes, I have my favourites, but I truly don’t see any as “loser” picks. Not this year

I don’t see any loser picks but I see some that I would call safer picks more than others and given the Caps situation I feel you need to take a swing here. Dvorsky seems like he will be a 2nd or 3rd line center with ok offensive output. For an 8th overall pick that feels meh.

On another note here is how I think the first 8 will shake up:

1.) Bedard - Chicago

2.) Carlsson - Anaheim

3.) Fantilli - CBJ

4.) Smith - San Jose

5.) Leonard - MTL

6.) Dvorksy - ARZ

7.) Michkov - Philly

8.) Benson - WSH

 

[EroCaps]

If Dvorsky has the upside of a 50-60 point center who can shut down an opposing top line, that's worth a gamble. But I understand the concern that he could top out as Lars Eller.

I agree that we probably shouldn't draft defense. Reinbacher seems like Alzner 2.0. Seems like the best defensemen from any given year are often not those taken at the top of the draft.

You don’t target 2nd liners in the top 10 of the draft. Easy way to become a league doormat.

 

[twabby]

This guy is connected to Philly but still take it with a grain of salt. A lot of smokescreens this time of year!

Ryan Leonard seems like a very ordinary type of mid-teens prospect rather than a guy that should go top 10 in a good draft. Philly taking Leonard would be a huge win for DC.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

This guy is connected to Philly but still take it with a grain of salt. A lot of smokescreens this time of year!

Ryan Leonard seems like a very ordinary type of mid-teens prospect rather than a guy that should go top 10 in a good draft. Philly taking Leonard would be a huge win for DC.

I still wonder if Leonard will be there for them though. I can see MTL taking him possibly as well.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Someone posted the top 32 from Corey Pronman's mock draft from The Athletic.

First 8 don't surprise me, especially with the Montreal and Philly talk recently. We might get our Michkov wish at no cost...

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Hearing Vancouver wants D. If we got Michkov at 8 0A I'd offer Vancouver Fever + Kuzy for 11 OA and grab Benson. Probably say no, but gotta ask at least...

 

[The Instigator]

I would be really, really happy with Leonard as well but I don't think he'll be available.

I would be interested to see what Philly does if both him and Michkov are still available.

 

[twabby]

Of all of the players projected to be taken around #8 I’d be most disappointed in Leonard or Dvorsky. I think Perreault is going to go lower than he should based on his production to date.

I mentioned it earlier but I’d love to see Washington take Gulyayev if he starts slipping, even if it means trading up from #40 or trading someone like Fehervary outright for a pick to get Gulyayev. I feel like he is going to be the steal of the draft.

 

[ChaosLord]

I'm liking Zach Benson the more I see of him. Kid flies around the ice and has a motor that just won't quit. Nice acquisition if we can't land Michkov.

 

[EroCaps]

I'm liking Zach Benson the more I see of him. Kid flies around the ice and has a motor that just won't quit. Nice acquisition if we can't land Michkov.

If Michkov and Leonard are off the board and they pass on Benson I will be a salty egg.

 

[Langway]

So if we take the Leonard talk for Philly at face value then you're probably hoping for Montreal to go Reinbacher and then Arizona Dvorsky. Philly gets Leonard and then voila...Nate Danielson.

 

[Cappy76]

I wouldn't at all be surprised if Philly was targeting Leonard he seems like their type of player.

 

[AlexModvechkin8]

I’ve been on the Benson (if not Michkov) train for months now and I see no reason to change my tune now. Michkov or Benson, please.

 

[Ridley Simon]

I’m good with really any of them, as I generally believe in the brass when it comes to 1st round picks.

*Most* of the time, they pick above value or even value of the pick they have. Guys are better than those around them.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I wouldn't at all be surprised if Philly was targeting Leonard he seems like their type of player.

Weekes on ESPN has us taking him….kid is a beast.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Weekes on ESPN has us taking him….kid is a beast.

Holy cow, that is championship material player.

 

[Ridley Simon]

Take Leonard all day, every day.

I see at least 7 offensive studs (Bedard, Fantilli, Carlson, Smith, Leonard, and Benson).

Then there is Reinbacher and Dvorsky. That’s 9. Plus Wood, Moore, Perrault, But, Danielsson. That’s 14.

And other d-men like — ASP, Wilander, Simashev. That’s 17.

If Leonard and Michkov are gone trade back w AZ, get their 12OA, and their first 2nd round pick. Forget when, but it’s early.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

I'm hoping for, in descending order: Michkov, Smith, Leonard/Benson.

Then, if they are all gone at 8 OA, my gut says Barlow/ Honzek might be players Mahoney and staff are looking at (WHL connection for the Caps with Honzek), and I am sympathetic to the case for one of those over Dvorsky or a D.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Weekes on ESPN has us taking him….kid is a beast.

He looks eerily similar to Rick Nash with the puck -- the skating stride the long stick with the puck away from the body, the hands.

 

[ViD]

Why in the world would Washington not trade up a spot or two if Michkov is not drafted at 5?

It’s the only right thing for Ovie to pass the torch to the best Russian prospect since himself

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Sportnet's Jason Bukala (16 years experience scouting at the NHL level for the Predators and Panthers) has Barlow at 9 with Hockey IQ and Goal Scoring emphasized, and projects at a Top 3 forward.