GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

[ArmadilloThumb]

Bukala has Honzek at 15 (as a C, 6'4", 186), but may be the kind of player that Mahoney likes (size, Hockey IQ, scoring/playmaking). Skating can be taught (was a concern about Wilson early on too), and is out of the WHL. If skating improves, maybe top line potential is possible.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Correction on Honzek... Bukala's June 16th update moves him up to 12, and projects as a Top 3. Also now lists him as 6'4", 195.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Bukala's updated list of 80...

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/scouts-analysis-final-ranking-of-the-top-80-prospects-for-the-2023-nhl-draft/

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

Bukala's Mock has us get Michkov...

(I'm adding the links this way because HF Boards is translating it to a media-only link)

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/jason-bukalas-2023-nhl-mock-draft-what-happens-after-bedard-goes-first/

 

[Kalopsia]

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

Great video. They've also done ones on Michkov, Benson, and Dvorsky that are worth checking out. Anyone else catch Suzdalev's appearance on the advantages created list? 6th overall and top from his draft class. No idea how well-validated that stat is, but it feeds my confirmation biases so I like it!

 

[RedRocking]

Holy cow, that is championship material player.

Yea if they can’t go up and get Michkov (I’m onboard w/ using significant assets to do so) - it’s Leonard, then Benson.

Otherwise, I still like Moore - which may not be the best value at 8OA according the latest mocks. But he has athletic ability you can’t teach, with such a high motor and compete level. I’d rather take a guy with that raw talent, and top-line upside over the safer Dvorsky.

 

[YippieKaey]

One thing in favour of Dvorsky is that even though he's only been in Sweden for a few years he is perfectly fluent in Swedish, with almost no accent. I guess that speaks to his ability/willingness to learn which is an underrated skill.

 

[895]

I'm not reading about any other prospect because I feel so strongly we will get Michkov.

 

[pman25]

I do love Leonard’s game, I think he doesn’t get past Arizona. The only pick I wouldn’t be thrilled with is probably Reinbacher. I’m not as low on the upside potential for Dvorsky, especially being a younger player in the class. I also don’t think Michkov is in Ovi/Malkin/Kaprisov territory which is why I’m fine not trading up for him, considering the other risks attached to him. I’m not so sure he’s a clear tier above Benson.

But regardless I’m excited for this post to be bumped in 10 years to show how wrong I was! Thanks in advance, jerks!

 

[Langway]

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.

He's not as big but he's more physical than Nash and better defensively. Some of what's helped him is the Tkachuk effect. He's not as big as him either but the guy is a winner. The only limitation he may have is playmaking/vision a bit but teams love North/South goal-scorers that compete all over the ice and can mesh with skilled players.

I'd wager, based on an emphasis on character and competitiveness by GMs at 5/6/7, that there's less of a chance of Leonard making it to 8 than Michkov. He's got the intangibles...and also perhaps the ability to play center if teams really wanted to consider it.



A dark horse appears.

 

[trick9]

If in the last page i mentioned how i wouldn't hate anyone of the realistic options we might pick at 8, Dmitri Simashev is that guy i would absolutely hate.

Nothing against him. He could end up being a solid defensive top-4 D. But he doesn't have half the offensive potential that Reinbacher has and defensively Reinbacher is at his level. His shot is poor and he doesn't have the vision to provide offense. 0 points in 18 KHL games and 10 points in 29 MHL games. Reinbacher had 22 points in 46 NL games in a similar level league as KHL. I don't think Reinbacher has elite offensive potential but it's several tiers above what Simashev can provide offensively.

I would be interested in Simashev if he kept sliding all the way to 40. I just don't think you should be drafting Brandon Carlo at 8th overall, even if you love that he's 6'4 and skates well.

 

[twabby]

Happy draft day!

 

[895]

I'm in Romania right now and they have these delicious little sausages called Mic .


Michkov is ours, guaranteed.

 

[ChaosLord]

I'm not reading about any other prospect because I feel so strongly we will get Michkov.

Flyers fans feel the same way. Maybe Habs fans too. The demand for this kid is sky high.

 

[g00n]

He's not as big but he's more physical than Nash and better defensively. Some of what's helped him is the Tkachuk effect. He's not as big as him either but the guy is a winner. The only limitation he may have is playmaking/vision a bit but teams love North/South goal-scorers that compete all over the ice and can mesh with skilled players.

I'd wager, based on an emphasis on character and competitiveness by GMs at 5/6/7, that there's less of a chance of Leonard making it to 8 than Michkov. He's got the intangibles...and also perhaps the ability to play center if teams really wanted to consider it.



A dark horse appears.

I watched vid of Simashev and instantly thought "holy shit that's Orlov's replacement". Gave me the same vibe as when I first saw Orlov prospect footage. I'm guessing Caps brass might be thinking the same thing. If they go off the board at all, it might be for him.

I'm with others who are not sold on Reinbacher or Dvorsky and would have Simashev above them. But I've not seen enough video, possibly.

With Reinbacher I think there are possible skating and mobility concerns. Jeff Schultz 2.0?

Dvorsky strikes me as good but not "special" and might fall, possibly out of the top 10 unless there's a C panic.

Anyone else in that top 10 and I'll be happy.

 

[Langway]

2023 NHL Mock Draft: After Connor Bedard goes No. 1, Corey Pronman sees room for surprise

Who will go No. 2? It could be Leo Carlsson or Adam Fantilli. And Matvei Michkov remains a wild card at the top of the draft.

theathletic.com

8. Washington Capitals: Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Allsvenskan) Most of my recent mock drafts have discussed Michkov to Washington. I do think that remains a real possibility. But if Michkov goes ahead of them, the other player I believe they are high on is Dvorsky. I’ve had some people in the league wonder whether Washington at eight or Detroit at nine would pick Dmitri Simashev.

Raw would be the key word with Simashev. But I think there's some offensive upside. Not a ton but he could be a monster either way. The production was poor this year but he did step it up a bit in the MHL playoffs. I don't doubt some team steps up ala Seider and values the frame, physicality and defensive tone-setting. 8 is a bit early but somewhere around 10-12 I think may happen. He's quite a bit bigger than Willander and significantly bigger than ASP.

We talk often about the Tkachuk effect but there's also a premium being placed on size/length on the blueline. Just look at all of the recent Cup winning bluelines. All very stout and hard to play against. Those teams also had responsible forwards and disciplined structure for overall team defense but the build of their bluelines were large.

Reinbacher's not a bad skater. He's not super nimble but he's comparable to Ekblad I think. Not quite as strong or physical but I don't think it holds him back. With Dvorsky it's mostly getting his skating up to par to be as impactful against men. You have to wonder a bit about his ceiling but his Alsvenskan team wasn't very good. I liked Kasper a bit more last year but I think he's clearly the best center that may be available to them.

 

[twabby]

Michkov >>>>>>>> Benson > Reinbacher > Dvorsky > Leonard


Simashev shouldn't even be in the picture. That would be an awful pick.

 

[EroCaps]

Michkov >>>>>>>> Benson > Reinbacher > Dvorsky > Leonard


Simashev shouldn't even be in the picture. That would be an awful pick.

Leonard and Oliver Moore>Dvorsky and Rainbox.

Benson or Moore would be very nice additions if the big ponies are off the board.

 

[max21]

I'm ready to be disappointed with the honey dicking from the media. I fully expect the Caps to stay put while Philly or someone else is able pto draft Michkov.

 

[Langway]

Seems entirely possible after the Newhook trade, particularly if they're primarily after Reinbacher. Decent chance he's there at 8.

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

Seems entirely possible after the Newhook trade, particularly if they're primarily after Reinbacher. Decent chance he's there at 8.

If Michkov gets past San Jose and Montreal wants to trade down, no brainer for us, no? Give up 8, a high-end prospect, 40+?

 

[Jags]

If Michkov gets past San Jose and Montreal wants to trade down, no brainer for us, no? Give up 8, a high-end prospect, 40+?

I love Michkov, but I might rather have Benson, that high-end prospect, #40 in this draft, and whatever that "+" is.

 

[twabby]

Some NHLe projection cards posted in spoilers below. I posted who I thought might be available to the Caps at 8.

Any other requests? I might have missed someone.

Spoiler

 

[Carlzner]

Barlow? ^

 

[Misery74]

If Michkov gets past San Jose and Montreal wants to trade down, no brainer for us, no? Give up 8, a high-end prospect, 40+?

Trading up in any capacity would require next years first, and our team is closer to a tank than competitive. We could end up drafting in the top 5 next year.

I certainly get the appeal, but Michkov seems like a luxury we cannot afford.