GDT: 2023 Caps NHL Draft Thread

Jumping on the Semin-appreciation-bandwagon (Okay, I never left this bandwagon :laugh: ).

He was a guy who got unfairly maligned because he made the game look effortless, and eventually because he developed a reputation for stick penalties. But they weren't low effort stick penalties when a player blows by him, they were penalties because he was so aggressive with his stick in terms of trying to create takeaways. But people saw a guy who could take over the game when the stars aligne, and got upset that he couldn't force the stars to align every single night. And his lack of PR in the English-speaking media certainly didn't do much to endear himself to the fanbase as a whole.
He was a beautiful enigma and frankly I think we got the best of what he had, it was truly beautiful. Nobody could rocket launch a puck quite like him

we talk about the bongos but it's so frequently understated that Marc Staal was turtling under those bongos and absolutely giving his shit away.
 
Jumping on the Semin-appreciation-bandwagon (Okay, I never left this bandwagon :laugh: ).

He was a guy who got unfairly maligned because he made the game look effortless, and eventually because he developed a reputation for stick penalties. But they weren't low effort stick penalties when a player blows by him, they were penalties because he was so aggressive with his stick in terms of trying to create takeaways. But people saw a guy who could take over the game when the stars aligne, and got upset that he couldn't force the stars to align every single night. And his lack of PR in the English-speaking media certainly didn't do much to endear himself to the fanbase as a whole.
He had a great lift check on the back check but the book quickly got out the refs and he didn't adjust.
 
Jumping on the Semin-appreciation-bandwagon (Okay, I never left this bandwagon :laugh: ).

He was a guy who got unfairly maligned because he made the game look effortless, and eventually because he developed a reputation for stick penalties. But they weren't low effort stick penalties when a player blows by him, they were penalties because he was so aggressive with his stick in terms of trying to create takeaways. But people saw a guy who could take over the game when the stars aligne, and got upset that he couldn't force the stars to align every single night. And his lack of PR in the English-speaking media certainly didn't do much to endear himself to the fanbase as a whole.

I always liked him. I didn't like the Tampa/Caps series of 2011 performance, however most of the team if not all sucked that series. Skill level wise, he had the goods.
 
One more Semin post -

It's not really on-ice "compete level," but a lot of Semin's critics used to pan him for "not caring." I think it was quite the opposite. He was so wildly different because he cared. I think he got too emotionally invested in things, and it was hard to keep it on an even level.

To put it this way - you don't go Bongos Mode if you don't care. That's something you do because you fly off the handle.
 
One of the best moments. For a skilled guy and clearly not a fighter, he showed the guts to say I've had enough.
Angry Semin existed and would not be easily f***ed with,

Then he'd get wildly pissed and go completely sideways on an entire NHL organization. His ownership of the Senators should frankly make him part owner in their new deal just by default.
 
I heard on XM that BMac said to ignore then Willy trade rumors that he is not going anywhere... I sure hope that wasn't the kiss of death. Including for the Willy jersey I just got the tyke.
I don't think it is, but if it is...

hooo boy you know that's a sweet deal at the moment.
 
Ultimately pretty surprised Leonard was available at 8. For sure thought he was gone to Montreal or Arizona. I had him slotted to one of them for the past month. Pretty pleased we got him. I’m usually a slave to the NHLe rankings but really this guy is a player. Some are even saying he has that dog in him. Perhaps multiple dogs
 
Edstrom's a good one for Vegas.

Best available: Hrabal, Dragicevic, Wahlberg, Halttunen, Cristall, Brindley, Gauthier, Sawchyn.

One issue with that group is four are right shot wingers (Halttunen, Brindley, Gauthier, Sawchyn) so maybe too much overlap with Miro & Leonard. But you never know what the future holds for Wilson & Oshie or what other moves may happen. I don't know if Cristall fits their style so much but if they want a lottery ticket skilled upside play that's likely it. Dragicevic is a RD but has more offensive upside than Iorio/Chesley and is only a more recent convert to the blueline. I'm not sure the value is quite there with other D.

There are maybe some other goalies that could be in the mix if they like one. They could trade back since they don't have a third. I don't think I'd trade up unless they love Hrabal or Wahlberg.
 

Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler's best available after Round 1:

Pronman
Gavin Brindley, Michigan center — No. 29
Lukas Dragicevic, Tri-City (WHL) defenseman — No. 31
Danny Nelson, U.S. U-18 center — No. 32
Anton Wahlberg, Malmo Jr. (Sweden) center — No. 33
Maxim Strbak, Sioux Falls (USHL) defenseman — No. 34


Wheeler
Andrew Cristall, Kelowna (WHL) winger — No. 13
Riley Heidt, Prince George (WHL) center — No. 23
Gavin Brindley, Michigan center — No. 24
Jayden Perron, Chicago (USHL) winger — No. 29
Ethan Gauthier, Sherbrooke (QMJHL) winger — No. 30
 
From the highlights I’ve seen he has more than compete level.

I’m sure he does. This isn’t some huge reach or anything but it also wasn’t the best they could have done IMO. Hence the slightly above average rating of a C+ that I give them for this pick.

I could be wrong. I’m not nearly as confident in prospect ratings based solely on data as I am with NHL ratings based solely on the available data. But I’m less confident in the Capitals amateur scouting staff given their recent results. I’m even less confident in “draft experts” like Corey Pronman or whoever. And I’m even less confident in the opinions of everyone here who base their opinions of guys entirely on highlight reels or limited viewings of 2 or 3 games.
 
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I like Gracyn Sawchyn and Oscar Fisker Molgaard for pick 40.

Cristall, Heidt, Brindley, Ziemmer also on the board. I’m sure they’ll take a guy I haven’t heard of though!
 
Cristall and Dragicevic are rated highly. One of those two would be great for #40
 
Tom Wilson with all the strengths to his game is not an ideal mentor you'd want for an 8th pick. The kid needs to focus on the skill part of his development, not the physical part or defense. NHL/AHL can teach to hold your own on defence but being creative and puck-hungry on offense? You can't teach that. If he has it in him, someone needs to guide him on the right path.
 
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I'll just be happy if they don't trade up at any point in day 2. Heck, maybe even recoup a couple picks by trading down at various points.
 
In the 20 or so mock drafts I reviewed prior to tonight, Leonard was picked outside the top seven in two of them: in one he went 9OA and in the other he was 10OA. I’d say 80% had him going 5OA to Montreal and the others he never got by 7OA. Consensus was he wouldn’t be available by the time the Caps picked. You don’t get that kind of universal admiration because you compete hard; the kid is a terrific hockey player who also happens to play with some nastiness.

I understand wanting to go with the pure upside play that one or two other prospects at this juncture had but they’re getting a guy who can probably play on the opposite wing of Miro for a decade whenever he makes it to the NHL.
 
Leonard has more often referenced Tkachuk, Tuch and Hyman as players he models his game after.

Ideally at 40 they're looking for both size and upside so I'd be a bit more surprised if they go Cristall or Brindley depending on what else is available. Brindley plays a lot bigger, with a lot of heart, but you wonder if he's just an energy guy. And you wonder if Cristall won't be more of a Mathieu Perreault. Nelson is another bigger guy that can maybe grind but I'm less sold on his offensive upside. One more left field option may be the big LD Dvorak but 40 seems a bit early.

I'd lean Hrabal/Wahlberg/Halttunen/Dragicevic or a trade back. Those four seem a cut above in terms of their combination of size and upside whereas most anyone else has some trade-offs in some regard.

 
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