2023 Draft Discussion

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I would’t sleep on Moore’s upside.
Best skater in the class, elite shot and elite compete levels.

Untapped offensive upside possibilities too.
Moore scored 109 points on the 2nd line/ 2nd PP.

Moore outproduced Larkin offensively in his USNTDP draft year. Larkin was also playing 2nd line centre behind Eichel that year. So a fair comparison.

Would Moore have scored 180+ points on that stacked top line like Smith did ? Probably not.
But 150+ points… I believe he could have.
And if that were the case, he would be in the top 5 conversation (given his skating and shot).

Again, I’d like to point out that it’s not just a down year for NA goalies and D, it’s downright BAD. Hell, outside of the NTDP the USHL’s first time eligibles weren’t great this year. This makes me take the ‘record breaking’ offensive seasons at the NTDP with a grain of salt.

Also, if you watched Moore you’d have seen that he produced best with Ryan Leonard, who he didn’t get enough playing time with in my opinion.

I’ll give you the best skater in the draft but it’s not a runaway lead. His shot is really good but not elite. I still am unsure about how effective he’ll be on offense in the NHL because his brain just does not match his feet.

I would say at #17 Jayden Perron, and that's who I would select. This could be a Mtl situation with Caufield/Hutson with tems being scared off due to size.

I love the skill and chipiness of Perron but he’s little and only an average skater. We have 3 2nds. I’d grab him there because at 17 there will be prospects with way less warts.

 

[Frk It]

Again, I’d like to point out that it’s not just a down year for NA goalies and D, it’s downright BAD. Hell, outside of the NTDP the USHL’s first time eligibles weren’t great this year. This makes me take the ‘record breaking’ offensive seasons at the NTDP with a grain of salt.

Also, if you watched Moore you’d have seen that he produced best with Ryan Leonard, who he didn’t get enough playing time with in my opinion.

I’ll give you the best skater in the draft but it’s not a runaway lead. His shot is really good but not elite. I still am unsure about how effective he’ll be on offense in the NHL because his brain just does not match his feet.



I love the skill and chipiness of Perron but he’s little and only an average skater. We have 3 2nds. I’d grab him there because at 17 there will be prospects with way less warts.

From what I’ve heard Perron will be there in round 2 or 3 if you want him.

My concern with him trying to look at him more is he kind of reminds me of Ethan Phillips.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

From what I’ve heard Perron will be there in round 2 or 3 if you want him.

My concern with him trying to look at him more is he kind of reminds me of Ethan Phillips.

Ethan Philips? I don’t know about that. I never thought Philips had more than good wheels.

His game makes me think of a smaller Mackie Samoskevich. Chicago does a good job of producing very smart playmaking wingers.

 

[NickH8]

I definitely would be happy if Barlow is the pick at 9. He'd fit like a glove on a future top line of him, Larkin, and Raymond.

 

[Frk It]

Ethan Philips? I don’t know about that. I never thought Philips had more than good wheels.

His game makes me think of a smaller Mackie Samoskevich. Chicago does a good job of producing very smart playmaking wingers.

I don’t think Perron has more than good wheels either, really.

I don’t know, he’s a 2nd rounder for me. The undersized guy I like in the first round is Nadeau for me. Kid can shoot the hell out of the puck and has a good offensive game.

 

[SantosHalper]

The one goalie who should be available 4th or later to target is Slukynsky. A little on the small size (Central Scouting has him 6'1.25") but not undersized. Dominated in high school, was solid at the Hlinka, and, while not playing 2 full games, stopped 50 for 50 on the USNTDP.

Great USHS record 30 gp, 28-1-1 and last season 31 gp, 26-4-1

Not a bad pick in the later rounds.

 

[lilidk]

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I definitely would be happy if Barlow is the pick at 9. He'd fit like a glove on a future top line of him, Larkin, and Raymond.

At 9?! Are you related to him or something? I like the kid but before 15 is crazy talk to me.

He looks very similar to Jake DeBrusk on the ice. I think Barlow also has similar potential as a solid secondary scorer. But at 9?

 

[Frk It]

At 9?! Are you related to him or something? I like the kid but before 15 is crazy talk to me.

He looks very similar to Jake DeBrusk on the ice. I think Barlow also has similar potential as a solid secondary scorer. But at 9?

Barlow was #11 on McKenzie’s updated list in May.

Not sure why you think a team wouldn’t like enough to take him at 9. I wouldn’t have any issue taking him at 9. Gives you a lot of things this top 6 is missing. One of the best shots in this class too.

 

[NickH8]

At 9?! Are you related to him or something? I like the kid but before 15 is crazy talk to me.

He looks very similar to Jake DeBrusk on the ice. I think Barlow also has similar potential as a solid secondary scorer. But at 9?

Like Frk It said, one of the best shots in the class and a pro game. I don't see the big separation between a guy like him and Leonard, Dvorsky, or a guy like Reinbacher value wise.

 

[SantosHalper]

Like Frk It said, one of the best shots in the class and a pro game. I don't see the big separation between a guy like him and Leonard, Dvorsky, or a guy like Reinbacher value wise.

Centers and top-4 D are always more valuable than wingers. There's always another "Barlow" available.

 

[Frk It]

Centers and top-4 D are always more valuable than wingers. There's always another "Barlow" available.

I mean did we see what Matthew Tkachuck got traded for and what kind of impact he has made in these playoffs?

 

[NickH8]

I mean did we see what Matthew Tkachuck got traded for and what kind of impact he has made in these playoffs?

Exactly this. And I'm not saying Barlow is going to be Tkachuk, but I think he's a good bet to score 30 goals. That would be great value at 9. I'd still take Leonard or Dvorsky if available and probably Perreault too, but Barlow's in the conversation.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Barlow was #11 on McKenzie’s updated list in May.

Not sure why you think a team wouldn’t like enough to take him at 9. I wouldn’t have any issue taking him at 9. Gives you a lot of things this top 6 is missing. One of the best shots in this class too.

I don’t think it’s best shot in the class. Probably outside of the top 10. It’s good, but not great. The guy also likes to take a lot of Zadina shots from far outside of the circles. That works in junior but isn’t going to fly in the pros.

If I’m looking at who is available at #9, Barlow is probably my 5th choice or later.

 

[jfrank21]

Guys guys guys.....it's gonna be simple. Dvorsky, Leonard or Benson at 9.....trade back up with Vancouver to 11 for 17 and 42....take one of Wood, Barlow, Moore or grudgingly the Karate Kid....and then

 

[DanielMarois]

I love the skill and chipiness of Perron but he’s little and only an average skater. We have 3 2nds. I’d grab him there because at 17 there will be prospects with way less warts.

Just my opinion, but I think he has the highest ceiling from everyone who will be available at 17, and I think in a few years when they do a "redo the 23 draft" list he will be pretty high up.

 

[SantosHalper]

I mean did we see what Matthew Tkachuck got traded for and what kind of impact he has made in these playoffs?

Barkov or Tkachuk, which one would you take?

Barlow has matured early, it leaves a question is there any room more development?

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I don’t think it’s best shot in the class. Probably outside of the top 10. It’s good, but not great. The guy also likes to take a lot of Zadina shots from far outside of the circles. That works in junior but isn’t going to fly in the pros.

If I’m looking at who is available at #9, Barlow is probably my 5th choice or later.

Barlow's highlights look similar to Zadina's.

Barlow is faster and more physical though. Also didn't play on a high end CHL team like Zadina did.

 

[appiepi]

Guys guys guys.....it's gonna be simple. Dvorsky, Leonard or Benson at 9.....trade back up with Vancouver to 11 for 17 and 42....take one of Wood, Barlow, Moore or grudgingly the Karate Kid....and then

I agree here. With the ninth pick I would choose Dvorosky, Leonard, or Benson, in that order. If by chance all three are gone then I would take Wood. I'm not sold on Moore's offence yet and think we already have Kasper who is comparable. However, I would absolutely support trading up from 17 to get Wood or Moore. If we don't trade up, take whoever falls (Yager, Barlow, Pelika, ect.) or a someone with high skill/potential like Sale.

I think trading some of our seconds to move into the 20s would also be a great idea as there are lot of good players in this area. If we could get someone like Heidt, Brindley, Sale, Willander, or even roll the dice on Cristall, then that would be an unreal draft. I feel like there are clear dropoffs/tiers that start at 10 and around 16/17.

Also, I'd still sell all our picks to move into the top 4 but thats just a dream at this point.

 

[lilidk]

I agree here. With the ninth pick I would choose Dvorosky, Leonard, or Benson, in that order. If by chance all three are gone then I would take Wood. I'm not sold on Moore's offence yet and think we already have Kasper who is comparable. However, I would absolutely support trading up from 17 to get Wood or Moore. If we don't trade up, take whoever falls (Yager, Barlow, Pelika, ect.) or a someone with high skill/potential like Sale.

I think trading some of our seconds to move into the 20s would also be a great idea as there are lot of good players in this area. If we could get someone like Heidt, Brindley, Sale, Willander, or even roll the dice on Cristall, then that would be an unreal draft. I feel like there are clear dropoffs/tiers that start at 10 and around 16/17.

Also, I'd still sell all our picks to move into the top 4 but thats just a dream at this point.

Top 3 to get Leo Carlsson . He will cost 3 first round picks, my guess. Guys arguing here who should we take at 9. What we get at 9 not going to be much better than who will be available at 17. This draft 9+17 should be better than #5

 

[appiepi]

Top 3 to get Leo Carlsson . He will cost 3 first round picks, my guess. Guys arguing here who should we take at 9. What we get at 9 not going to be much better than who will be available at 17. This draft 9+17 should be better than #5

Yeah depends on who is available at 5. If Michkov is there then I'd take him over 9+17, if Smith is there then that decision gets tougher. I'd make Yzerman make that call haha.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Listened to The Athletic Hockey podcast and Pronman said people in the league think But and Simashev would be top 8/10/12 picks if they were playing in the CHL as opposed to Russia.

Thought that was interesting and noteworthy.

It is noteworthy.

The fact that a strong Russian hockey class gets ranked lower because of the war.

That's on Russia in this case.

 

[Holden Caufield]

I think trading some of our seconds to move into the 20s would also be a great idea as there are lot of good players in this area.

I really like this trade idea/scenario. I happened to check the trade value chart on it the other day.

If we trade two of our 2nd round picks, the fair value should get us down to around 25th overall.
23 (NYR), 27 (Col) and 28 (Tor) could be partners… and would have motivation to be on the other end of this.

There will still be a couple very high pedigree prospects to choose from in the mid 20’s that we will have no chance at in the 40’s. All the while we would still be able to get ‘our guy’ in the early 40’s with that other pick.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I don’t think Perron has more than good wheels either, really.

I don’t know, he’s a 2nd rounder for me. The undersized guy I like in the first round is Nadeau for me. Kid can shoot the hell out of the puck and has a good offensive game.

Also, he's a worker. He will commit to defense as well.

(Nadeau)

 

[lilidk]

Yeah depends on who is available at 5. If Michkov is there then I'd take him over 9+17, if Smith is there then that decision gets tougher. I'd make Yzerman make that call haha.

It will be dumb not to take Michkov at4. As long as we take at 9 Benson , Leonard or Dvorsky+ anyone at 17 will be much better than Smith