2023 Draft Discussion

[Killerjas]

Man the QJMHL looks so weak this year, don't see many good prospects apart from a couple.

 

[Holden Caufield]

Updated:

Bedard
Michkov
Carlsson
Fantilli
Dvorsky
Smith
Sale
Yager
Benson
Cristall
Barlow
Moore
Perrault
Dragicevic
Honzek
Heidt
Musty
Danielson
Sandin Pelikka
Ziemmer
Gulyayev
Leonard
Wood
But
Gauthier
Simashev
Ritchie
Reinbacher
Morin
Stramel
Stenberg
Hrabal

Agree with moving Fantilli down a bit.
No question he has Elite skill and belongs somewhere at the top, But he seems to lack a little bit of direction.
Over stickhandles a lot from what I’ve seen and doesn’t always make the highest IQ plays.

Still think he is a great player. Just nitpicking a bit. Which is what you might have to do to separate some of these high end talents this year.

 

[Frk It]

Agree with moving Fantilli down a bit.
No question he has Elite skill and belongs somewhere at the top, But he seems to lack a little bit of direction.
Over stickhandles a lot from what I’ve seen and doesn’t always make the highest IQ plays.

Still think he is a great player. Just nitpicking a bit. Which is what you might have to do to separate some of these high end talents this year.

I think people are generally being too harsh on Fantilli for how he played at the WJC. I still am really high on him, personally. Just moved him down a touch.

Everyone says Carlsson really separated himself in that tournament, and that’s probably true to an extent. But I’ll tell you one takeaway I had was man Fantilli is a much better skater than Carlsson.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I think people are generally being too harsh on Fantilli for how he played at the WJC. I still am really high on him, personally. Just moved him down a touch.

Everyone says Carlsson really separated himself in that tournament, and that’s probably true to an extent. But I’ll tell you one takeaway I had was man Fantilli is a much better skater than Carlsson.

I agree that the WJC will cloud a lot of people's judgment on Fantilli, who has been absolutely dynamite when I have watched him with Michigan. I think things get really close after Bedard.

 

[Holden Caufield]

I think people are generally being too harsh on Fantilli for how he played at the WJC. I still am really high on him, personally. Just moved him down a touch.

Everyone says Carlsson really separated himself in that tournament, and that’s probably true to an extent. But I’ll tell you one takeaway I had was man Fantilli is a much better skater than Carlsson.

Yeah, Skating and stickhandling are not lacking at all.

It just seemed he was dancing around with the puck, but wasn’t really forcing the play to the danger areas. Was just happy to hold the puck and go where the opposition defense was directing him. Also had his head down and wasn’t using his teammates enough.

But I remember at the WJC’S when Raymond was getting the same type criticism as a ‘perimeter player’ in the offensive zone. And that one worked out great for us in the long run.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I think people are generally being too harsh on Fantilli for how he played at the WJC. I still am really high on him, personally. Just moved him down a touch.

Everyone says Carlsson really separated himself in that tournament, and that’s probably true to an extent. But I’ll tell you one takeaway I had was man Fantilli is a much better skater than Carlsson.

Think of them like this; Jeremy Roenick vs Mats Sundin.

Fantilli will play a modern power forward game and use his physical play and skating to control the game. Carlsson will use his ability to protect the puck, reach and ability to slow things down to create. Both are going to be terrific NHLers and I think both are sure bet 1st liners.

 

[norrisnick]

Think of them like this; Jeremy Roenick vs Mats Sundin.

Fantilli will play a modern power forward game and use his physical play and skating to control the game. Carlsson will use his ability to protect the puck, reach and ability to slow things down to create. Both are going to be terrific NHLers and I think both are sure bet 1st liners.

I would loooove to be in a situation where we get to debate the merits of drafting either.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I would loooove to be in a situation where we get to debate the merits of drafting either.

Oh, samesies. The top 4 of Bedard, Michkov, Fantilli and Carlson is probably the strongest top 4 I can remember in my 30+ years as a hockey fan. I think any of these guys would be a top 2 pick in a non McDavid, Crosby or Ovechkin year.

I’m going to be green with envy of whoever picks any One of them.

 

[RedWingzz]

All in favour of drafting LHD Tom Willander (16th rank Euro skater at the midterm by central scouting) in order to have a 2nd pair in 5 years or so of Willander and Will Wallinder?

edit: I see someone beat me to this joke already lol

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

All in favour of drafting LHD Tom Willander (16th rank Euro skater at the midterm by central scouting) in order to have a 2nd pair in 5 years or so of Willander and Will Wallinder?

edit: I see someone beat me to this joke already lol

He’s RHD. Even better!

Tom Willander at eliteprospects.com

2nd or 3rd round target for me. I’ve only seen a little bit of him but he’s mobile and makes smart passes. Could get stronger/more physical. Can push the pace more.

 

[RedWingzz]

He’s RHD. Even better!

Tom Willander at eliteprospects.com

2nd or 3rd round target for me. I’ve only seen a little bit of him but he’s mobile and makes smart passes. Could get stronger/more physical. Can push the pace more.

Yeah, I meant to say RHD.

I honestly don't know much about his game at all, I was just checking out central scouting rankings and came across the name.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Yeah, I meant to say RHD.

I honestly don't know much about his game at all, I was just checking out central scouting rankings and came across the name.

He’s definitely worth keeping an eye on. Detroit has 2 2nds now. Maybe more after the TDL. This is a kid I target with one.

Tom Willander, Team Sweden, D

Willander was another player who caught my eye. He is a right shot defenceman like Sandin Pellikka.

Willander was used primarily at even strength and the penalty kill. He’s a very good skater who can transition pucks on his own or outlet and join the attack as an extra layer. I don’t see him having a ton of upside offensively, despite being involved in developing plays. He doesn’t shoot it a ton from distance. He’s the kind of defender who can win a race to pucks in his zone and move it up ice quickly, keeping opponents out of his zone in the process.

Future Considerations: 2023 draft-related takeaways from U18 tournament – Sportsnet.ca

He’s also a Rogle product and they’re becoming one of, if not the top producer of NHL draft picks from Sweden the last 5 years.

 

[jfrank21]

I have a pretty good feeling that Dvorsky would be the pick if he somehow makes it to the Wings' range. He's getting dinged in the rankings for just ok production in the 2nd tier Swedish league but the kid is young for his draft class and has shown flashes of dynamic talent in international play. I would be over the moon if they somehow landed him outside of the top 10. This class is absolutely bonkers enough that it could happen....

 

[Frk It]

I have a pretty good feeling that Dvorsky would be the pick if he somehow makes it to the Wings' range. He's getting dinged in the rankings for just ok production in the 2nd tier Swedish league but the kid is young for his draft class and has shown flashes of dynamic talent in international play. I would be over the moon if they somehow landed him outside of the top 10. This class is absolutely bonkers enough that it could happen....

1 of Dvorsky/Sale/Smith/Yager would be pretty ideal for me.

 

[jfrank21]

EP dropped their latest list...dammit, theyve hopped on the Oliver Moore train already! Every time I've watched that kid, he's stood out...was hoping for him to be available if Dvorsky was gone. Although, with the way the Wings are playing they might just have their pick of the litter by the time June rolls around

 

[Frk It]

Interesting that Benson and Cristall will probably be available in the 5-10 range with the type of season they are having. Usually that type of season would get you some top 3 hype in a draft class.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Interesting that Benson and Cristall will probably be available in the 5-10 range with the type of season they are having. Usually that type of season would get you some top 3 hype in a draft class.

I don’t know much about Cristall off her than he’s got a stripper name. That’s even worse than a cell phone kiosk name on the bust-ometer.

 

[Frk It]

I don’t know much about Cristall off her than he’s got a stripper name. That’s even worse than a cell phone kiosk name on the bust-ometer.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

All I’m seeing is this dude being carried by his linemates Cinnamon and Mercedes.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

All I’m seeing is this dude being carried by his linemates Cinnamon and Mercedes.

He's apparently best friends with Bedard.

Plant the seeds...

(Not in Cinnamon or Mercedes)

 

[Killerjas]

Andrew Cristall is a top 10 player for sure. Playmaking genius. Is a bit small which means there are chances that he drops a bit, but unbelieveable player.

 

[jkutswings]

Ran the Tankathon sim 10 times.
The first 9 all kept Detroit at 10 or 11.
The 10th time they moved all the way to #1.

 

[SoupNazi]

Ran the Tankathon sim 10 times.
The first 9 all kept Detroit at 10 or 11.
The 10th time they moved all the way to #1.

I just did the same. We got as high as #2 (once), stayed at 10 (6 times), 8th, and dropped to 11th twice.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I don’t know much about Cristall off her than he’s got a stripper name. That’s even worse than a cell phone kiosk name on the bust-ometer.

No he doesn't.

He's got a rap name.

"Cristall Dru"

 

[NickH8]

Andrew Cristall is a top 10 player for sure. Playmaking genius. Is a bit small which means there are chances that he drops a bit, but unbelieveable player.

I think if we're around where we picked last year we can get some good offensive skill. Cristall I'm starting to think will be gone but I can see him slipping due to size. I'm trying to work out who I like in that crop of American kids. Smith, Moore, Leonard, and Perron all look like great candidates. I would consider Dvorsky and Sale but there's some questions I have about their games.
A sleeper I wouldn't mind is Reilly Heidt.