GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

[Silky mitts]

Leonard reminds me of Matt Tkachuk. If you were even on Dvorsky and Leonard in April I can see moving up Leonard after the playoffs

 

[HTFN]

They got a little Willy.

And anyone with a little willy will tell you it's more about how you use it, so there's hope.

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

Disappointed? Yep.

Is Leonard a good player? Yep.

Do I hate taking college players? Yep. Dude could decide he doesn’t want to play for the Caps and your 1st round pick vanishes.

 

[discobob]

They got a little Willy.

He's still growing

 

[aonb]

im sad

 

[EroCaps]

Moore is still on the board. Someone is going to get real value with that pick.

 

[ArmadilloThumb]

ASP still looks like a kid in that Wings jersey... then Barlow with the beard looks like they could send him on a beer run...

 

[HTFN]

He's still growing

May all our draft picks be growers, not showers.

 

[Jags]

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

Pffft. Fancy stats are poop at that type of projection. Waaayyyyyyy too many factors to weigh to predict "how big a star?" or "chance to be a star."

Especially a guy like Leonard, who's had talent around him. Chicken or the egg, right? He's the guy on both of those squads with the best transition numbers and shot metrics, not to mention easily the best pro body of those guys. So is he ranked high because they help him, do they rank high because he does all the (super valuable at the NHL level) dirty work, or is it a wash?

I'm a big fan of analytics, but JFresh can suck it on draft day.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Disappointed? Yep.

Is Leonard a good player? Yep.

Do I hate taking college players? Yep. Dude could decide he doesn’t want to play for the Caps and your 1st round pick vanishes.

You think there's any chance a kid is going to decide to not play with Ovechkin?

 

[HTFN]

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

Anybody have Wilson's?

 

[Hivemind]

Have you?

It’s not a bad comparison at all.

How about you actually read the post I was quoting, and the description of Landeskog in that post.

 

[Cush]

Which NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36

These rankings are based on pure skill and remove factors that could weigh into which player goes where.

theathletic.com

Which 2023 NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36

8. Ryan Leonard, RW, U.S. NTDP-USHL

Leonard is often known for his high compete level and two-way game, but he has a ton of natural talent and offense, too. He skates very well. He has high-end hands and can embarrass defenders with his pace and skill. Leonard also has a very good shot. He has a lot of the makings of an excellent all-around wing who scores a lot but is still trusted by coaches.

 

[usiel]

Wonder how it will look for the USAs upcoming world junior roster.

I think the was posted already: USA Hockey Reveals Summer World Junior Camp Roster Led By Hutson, Gauthier - FloHockey

 

[SecretaryofDefense5]

You think there's any chance a kid is going to decide to not play with Ovechkin?

By the time he is ready to leave college Ovi may be gone and the team will be a tire fire in that case (may already be one).

 

[Jags]

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.

If that's your takeaway on Leonard, you've been misled. His motor is great, but don't get bogged down over what a couple boneheaded announcers said. He's got way more going for him than that.

 

[usiel]

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.

Crazy talk.

 

[usiel]

Chi Town with Bedard/Moore not bad so far.

 

[Cush]

NHL Draft confidential: What scouts and executives think of Bedard, Michkov and more

Who should go No. 2? Where will Michkov land? Here's what Corey Pronman is hearing about the top prospects ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

This is a really good U.S NTDP group, that won gold at the U18 Worlds. Will Smith is the guy, right? But who goes second from that team and incredible top line?

Scout 3: “Leonard looks like a pro. He has the fewest flaws in his skill set. He could be better than Smith when it’s all said and done.”

Executive 2: “Your question has the presumption Smith is the No. 1 guy, but there are several people on our staff who would take Leonard over Smith.”

Scout 6: “I guess Leonard, but Smith is our No. 2.”

 

[Hivemind]

You think there's any chance a kid is going to decide to not play with Ovechkin?

Depends on how many years you think Ovie is going to stick around.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

I forget, what is it that people dislike about Kuznetsov and Mantha?

 

[Brian23]

Crazy talk.

Compete level should be a bear minimum for a top 10 pick, or any pro really. It being the selling point should be terrifying.

 

[EroCaps]

Chicago crushing the draft.

 

[HTFN]

I forget, what is it that people dislike about Kuznetsov and Mantha?

I think they kept setting fans on fire. Not fully sure but that really rings a bell.

 

[MileHighCapsFan]

Meh.

8. Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)

January 21, 2005 | 6′ 0″ | 190 pounds

Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Player comparable: Artturi Lehkonen

Background: Leonard has often been the top-line right wing on the U.S. NTDP playing a ton of minutes in all situations. He was invited to USA’s world juniors camp but was cut. He scored the golden goal in overtime at the 2023 U18 worlds. He played the most out of all the 2005-born players with the 2004 age group in the 2022 season. Leonard scored five goals and six points in five games at the 2022 U18 World Championships. He is committed to Boston College.

Analysis: Leonard is a versatile winger with a lot of elements to his game that an NHL coach will covet. He’s a strong skater who competes very well, with a direct style of play and despite an average-sized frame he has a lot of physicality in his game. He combines that with excellent hands and an ability to make highly skilled plays with the puck at full speed. His playmaking isn’t great but there’s vision and finishing ability in his game to score at higher levels. Leonard may never truly stand out at either end of the ice, but he will never give a coach a reason to sit him and projects as a quality top-six wing.

Thoughts on the pick: Leonard is a very good all-around and competitive forward. He’s not dynamic with the puck, but he has excellent skill and scoring ability as well. What I think Washington fans will also like is how physically advanced he is, and there is potential for him to be in Washington in two to three years due to that and his complete game.