GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

[Jags]

this. a huge risk. if he'd been there at 8, sure you pick him, but honestly, Philly's got a long wait ahead. If you were MM, what about that organization would make you want to hurry over?

The 3 high draft picks they'll have before he gets here because they suck? The mascot? I heard something about sandwiches...?

I think we have Ovi get on the phone with the oligarchy and pressure MM to stay as long as possible, giving us 3 years to swap for him while the Flyers' management musical chairs flounders and runs out of patience. If they can't get him over sooner, who knows what'll happen? Maybe he's a douchebag who'll flame out a bit in the K. Being an overhyped shithead would make him a perfect fit for Philly.

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

For me would be knowing if he played that position at earlier levels age levels.

He played all three positions this year, so it's going to be interesting. Just watching him, really think that he could be a solid fit at pivot.

 

[HTFN]

Look, realistically if he's less Landeskog and more Brendan Gallagher if he can still make it here in the Ovechkin window that's got some value to it. Sparkplugs who don't stop and throw weight ala Oshie transformed this team once, and younger ones could do it again.

I'm not amazed by the pick but I think it's pretty workable and makes a lot of sense for them given who was gone.

 

[twabby]

The good thing about drafting Ryan Leonard is now that they have their Tom Wilson replacement they can trade Tom Wilson.

 

[HTFN]

The good thing about drafting Ryan Leonard is now that they have their Tom Wilson replacement they can trade Tom Wilson.

I have bad news for you, but the better move is to keep them all to yourself and let the rest of the league deal with it.

Let one learn from the other, like steel sharpening steel, and then turn Leonard fully loose on the league when Wilson is done being dangerous

 

[Holtbyisms]

No trades, kuzy and mantha coming back. Looks like we're running it back boys!

 

[Calicaps]

The good thing about drafting Ryan Leonard is now that they have their Tom Wilson replacement they can trade Tom Wilson.

Because why give the kid his ideal mentor?

No trades, kuzy and mantha coming back. Looks like we're running it back boys!

Is the offseason over then?

 

[RedRocking]

I will say, his "no, f*** you" quotient is way up there and I bet Willy can refine it to a sharp edge

It’s nice to know you’re getting that kind of gamer, especially given the un-clutchness of this franchise across so many eras. Getting a little tired of some of our talented enigmas, that maybe MM is, who knows.

But this kid is a winner, with a nasty wrister, who will work his ass off and be well liked in the locker room.

 

[kicksavedave]

He's skilled and he's a menace and he has a motor and he plays physical... what am I missing? He'll be 6' 200 lbs in the NHL. This is a home run at 8.

 

[Langway]

Chicago in a good spot to add some more forward talent around Bedard.

 

[kicksavedave]

But this kid is a winner, with a nasty wrister, who will work his ass off and be well liked in the locker room.

Looking at his game, fans are going to love him as much as they love OShie and Willie.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

He's skilled and he's a menace and he has a motor and he plays physical... what am I missing? He'll be 6' 200 lbs in the NHL. This is a home run at 8.

The #fancystats have him as a lower chance to be a star.

 

[g00n]

so now we're gonna hear "we coulda had Getzlaf Michkov" for the next 20 years

 

[Holtbyisms]

Because why give the kid his ideal mentor?


Is the offseason over then?

Lol

 

[Langway]

I do at some point wonder if Oshie won't get squeezed out. It could happen this off-season even if they can't move those other two slugs. And I wouldn't be surprised if Leonard beats Miro to the NHL thanks to how well-rounded his game is.

 

[Calicaps]

so now we're gonna hear "we coulda had Getzlaf Michkov" for the next 20 years

but not for 4 years, so there's that.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

If ASP falls into the 20s, I wouldn't hate a trade up.

 

[racingmoose]

The #fancystats have him as a lower chance to be a star.

Thank goodness the fancy stat'ers don't make the decisions. Fancy stats are only a portion of what gets looked at by scouts and managers.

Leonard is a great selection.

 

[Kalopsia]

If ASP falls into the 20s, I wouldn't hate a trade up.

Sorry man.

 

[Holtbyisms]

For me would be knowing if he played that position at earlier levels age levels.

He has. I think he plays center eventually.

 

[g00n]

I was thinking I saw a bit of Tkachukiness in there

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Sorry man.

Oh well. Would have been something the Caps don't have in their system.

 

[usiel]

Still kinda surprised Flyers passed on Leonard just feels like a Flyer pick but I can see rolling the dice with Michkov. I think the Caps probably would have picked him but going through the Volchkov era kinda had a gut feeling.

I hope to always be proved wrong I hope EVERY draft pick makes it but reality a lot will be not even in the first round.

 

[Jags]

Look, realistically if he's less Landeskog and more Brendan Gallagher if he can still make it here in the Ovechkin window that's got some value to it.

To me, the comp would be JT Miller, only Leonard isn't a dick.

If he tightens up his D game -- he has a tendency to chase a bit, but that'll fade quick if he's humble -- he can be a great possession player because he's really, really good in transition. He's quietly been pretty elite on exits and entries.

Be happy. We got the right caliber of guy at 8. Michkov falling, then not quite far enough, makes it feel like more of a letdown than it is. If MM had gone 2-5 like he should have, this pick would probably feel better for a lot of fans.

Very good player.

 

[twabby]

The pick isn’t awful compared to what other teams have done but it’s not ideal. I give it a C+. I don’t like when compete level is a big component of when you’re drafting someone that high unless it’s used as a tiebreaker. Guys with high motors are always available in free agency, for instance.

I would have preferred Benson or even Dvorsky at that spot over Leonard.