2023 Draft Discussion

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

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.

Tanknation has us drafting Cristall currently at 10th overall.

 

[Gniwder]

Tanknation has us drafting Cristall currently at 10th overall.

Those types of websites are basing picks purely on rankings and not necessarily on the GM's drafting strategy. Tankathon has both at #10 as well.

Stevie will pick a center.

 

[Reddwit]

It sucks that we, as a modern fanbase, have never had the chance to collectively party over moving up in the draft for once. Like imagine how high we’d all be if we pulled #1 this year. Instant renaissance for the franchise.

 

[jkutswings]

It sucks that we, as a modern fanbase, have never had the chance to collectively party over moving up in the draft for once. Like imagine how high we’d all be if we pulled #1 this year. Instant renaissance for the franchise.

The funny part is that after 5 minutes of celebrating, the boards would turn into an argument over whether Bedard means the rebuild is over.

But I'd happily take that first world problem right about now.

 

[lilidk]

Those types of websites are basing picks purely on rankings and not necessarily on the GM's drafting strategy. Tankathon has both at #10 as well.

Stevie will pick a center.

Dvorský if he's available of course with size and he is on the younger side of the draft and he is playing in our backyard

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Dvorský if he's available of course with size and he is on the younger side of the draft and he is playing in our backyard

I really don't like his skating. I think ultimately that's what limits him. All the makings of a top 6 or even top line forward but not the best boots in the world. This team needs to get much faster.

 

[jfrank21]

I really don't like his skating. I think ultimately that's what limits him. All the makings of a top 6 or even top line forward but not the best boots in the world. This team needs to get much faster.

Jason Robertson says hi. Skating can be improved, the kid isnt Tomas Holmstrom out there....Im banging the Dvorsky drum, if he's there at the pick. Think of the possibilities! Double D for a nickname! Double D comes up Huge for the Wings rebuild! Double D hefts the (massive) cup!

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Jason Robertson says hi. Skating can be improved, the kid isnt Tomas Holmstrom out there....Im banging the Dvorsky drum, if he's there at the pick. Think of the possibilities! Double D for a nickname! Double D comes up Huge for the Wings rebuild! Double D lifts the cup!

Jason Robertson is a winger. Dvorsky is a center. If we're drafting Dvorsky to be more of a winger then his skating is fine. But if we want a center and Detroit doesn't win the lotto I'm looking at guys like Oliver Moore, Brayden Yager. Maybe add Ryan Leonard or Riley Heidt to that list.

 

[Frk It]

I want the highest upside/best forward possible, I don’t really care if they’re a center or not.

(Assuming we don’t lose Larkin)

 

[jfrank21]

Jason Robertson is a winger. Dvorsky is a center. If we're drafting Dvorsky to be more of a winger then his skating is fine. But if we want a center and Detroit doesn't win the lotto I'm looking at guys like Oliver Moore, Brayden Yager. Maybe add Ryan Leonard or Riley Heidt to that list.

I do like me some Oliver Moore...he even managed to pop during that BIOSTEEL top prospects game (which I finally got around to watching). Im definitely open to Yager and Heidt as well, and even Barlow has me interested. Really looking forward to seeing who stands out at the CHL top prospects game on Wednesday!

Edit: I just saw that Bobby Margarita posted his midseason update...yeah basically anyone top 15 I can see myself getting excited for. Less so for maybe Leornard and Wood but thats about it. And even those guys are doing really freaking well.

 

[Killerjas]

No Dvorsky please. Slow and his skating needs work. I am all for some flash, with Kaspar we have our workhorse ready for a potential 2nd line C role.

 

[Frk It]

McKenzie mid-season ranking:

Connor Bedard locked in at No. 1 in Bob McKenzie's mid-season NHL Draft Ranking | TSN

Connor Bedard was the unanimous No. 1 in TSN’s Pre-Season NHL Draft Rankings last September and reprised that unanimous standing in Bob McKenzie’s Mid-Season 2023 NHL Draft Rankings survey of 10 NHL scouts.

www.tsn.ca

 

[SantosHalper]

Cristall #18! Get that second 1st round pick ASAP!

Benson/Smith/Yager/Moore AND Cristall......

 

[lilidk]

I really don't like his skating. I think ultimately that's what limits him. All the makings of a top 6 or even top line forward but not the best boots in the world. This team needs to get much faster.

Is it so bad that he could not improve it?

 

[lilidk]

I want the highest upside/best forward possible, I don’t really care if they’re a center or not.

(Assuming we don’t lose Larkin)

Hay if prospect like Raymond caliber, it's a big yes, but if not I prefer center

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I really don't like his skating. I think ultimately that's what limits him. All the makings of a top 6 or even top line forward but not the best boots in the world. This team needs to get much faster.

Skating fast and playing fast are two entirely different things. If we are considering someone with sluggish feet with the expectation that they play in the middle, they need above average size for the position and very high end IQ. I don't know if that applies to Dvorsky or not. I need to watch more of him.

 

[Gniwder]

Skating fast and playing fast are two entirely different things. If we are considering someone with sluggish feet with the expectation that they play in the middle, they need above average size for the position and very high end IQ. I don't know if that applies to Dvorsky or not. I need to watch more of him.

There's no place for slow centers in the NHL anymore.

Also, Robertson has elite hockey IQ, like generational. That kid is an absolute puck magnet, The fact that he can score so much with sub-average skating tells you how well he anticipates the puck. I think that's lofty expectations for any prospect. Most prospects with sub-average skating are gonna look like Sunny in the best case scenario. I'll pass.

 

[Frk It]

I don't know... I watched Dvorsky at the Hlinka and the WJC and I don't have these skating concerns.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Skating fast and playing fast are two entirely different things. If we are considering someone with sluggish feet with the expectation that they play in the middle, they need above average size for the position and very high end IQ. I don't know if that applies to Dvorsky or not. I need to watch more of him.

He doesn’t skate fast and doesn’t really play fast either. That’s the number one reason why I think he’s better as a winger.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

There's no place for slow centers in the NHL anymore.

Also, Robertson has elite hockey IQ, like generational. That kid is an absolute puck magnet, The fact that he can score so much with sub-average skating tells you how well he anticipates the puck. I think that's lofty expectations for any prospect. Most prospects with sub-average skating are gonna look like Sunny in the best case scenario. I'll pass.

Slow probably not, but average very much so.

 

[Gniwder]

Slow probably not, but average very much so.

Huge risk though. Most prospects that like to slow down the play wind up looking more like Zadina than Robertson.

This team needs a center that can carry the puck, and it's a much harder task for a player that has average skating. Very few players can shield the puck like Zetterberg did, though this kid looks like he has some size.

Now that the Wings are back on the tank, I might have to watch some prospects. Didn't really expect to be picking top 10 this draft, but it appears to be where the team is headed.

 

[Frk It]

Just noticed Calum Ritchie came in at #13, I think that could be a Kris Draper kinda guy.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Just noticed Calum Ritchie came in at #13, I think that could be a Kris Draper kinda guy.

I'm on the fence about Ritchie. I like his game but what I saw from him made me think that he'll be a great 3rd liner. I could be wrong, but I don't think I draft him with a top 10 pick.

 

[GoBoltz56]

I'm on the fence about Ritchie. I like his game but what I saw from him made me think that he'll be a great 3rd liner. I could be wrong, but I don't think I draft him with a top 10 pick.

His stock and stats seem to be sinking like a stone.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

His stock and stats seem to be sinking like a stone.

I'm cautious about picking kids that are sinking in their draft years.

I would love to see an analysis of players NHL performance versus how much they rose/sunk in draft rankings to see if fallers are more often good value, or if they are players to stay away from.