2023 Draft Discussion

[lilidk]

Tried to watch Simashev today, one game mhl and one KHL . He looks solid, there are similarities to Edvinsson, probably will go late first. One game he was RD , second LD.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Hey man, you can't just leak the rest of my list while I'm still working on it
I'm a fan of Perreault in the late first. Very smart player. Seems like the type of guy the pens would draft to slap on Sids wing.
I need to watch more of Ritchie but I don't like him for the reasons I thought I wouldnt like Barlow. He's big and smart sure but he has no skills that stick out. Barlow proved that bias wrong with his shot.

The Pens would be wise to start drafting a guy that can take over 2C duties. The wheels are falling off Malkin.

Ritchie plays mature hockey but is just not aggressive enough/confident enough to push the play more consistently. That’s been my gripe about Veleno the last 3 years. When he plays with confidence he’s one of the best guys on the ice for his team. When he’s not then you don’t really notice the guy.

 

[NickH8]

Tried to watch Simashev today, one game mhl and one KHL . He looks solid, there are similarities to Edvinsson, probably will go late first. One game he was RD , second LD.

He's one of the better dmen in the draft. I've actually only seen him in the KHL so I'm curious if you saw any offensive potential in the MHL?

 

[Realgud]

He's one of the better dmen in the draft. I've actually only seen him in the KHL so I'm curious if you saw any offensive potential in the MHL?

Big dmen playing against men are always tough to get a read on their offensive game, you kinda need to have seen their D-1 where they most likely played against junior competition and possibly flashed more upside. Seider and Reinbacher are examples of that, I'd say.

I'll try to watch some of his MHL games eventually. He looks solid in the KHL, at least. His tools are outstanding.

 

[Frk It]

I’m officially jumping on the Daniil But bandwagon.

 

[SantosHalper]

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]6. Oliver Moore[/TD]
[TD]C[/TD]
[TD]USNTDP[/TD]
[TD]USHL[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7. Ryan Leonard[/TD]
[TD]C/RW[/TD]
[TD]USNTDP[/TD]
[TD]USHL[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8. Will Smith[/TD]
[TD]C[/TD]
[TD]USNTDP[/TD]
[TD]USHL[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

What's you're take on these 3, i could see them being in the range. Moore is one my favorites from the USNTDP, i haven't seen much of them but i would place Smith above Moore and Leonard. I think he's more skilled than Moore and Leonard and i like the right handed shot, that's something what Wings are missing.

Maybe im wrong but it seems to me that Leonard lives from Smith's offense and he seems like a winger more than a center. Im not really sold on Leonard yet, he doesn't seem like a line driver type like Smith and Moore.

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Riley Heidt[/TD]
[TD]C[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Heidt is a intresting prospect, i haven't seen him play or even any highlights but judging by his stats he seems like a classic creative playmaker. Scouting reports say he's also very active defensively as well and excelent skater, sounds very Yzerman-like player.

Fun fact, he's uncle is Ryan Keller. Former Griffin who also played 2 years in Finland, highly skilled player, a dual threath.

Brayden Yager

How come Yager is in bottom of the list?

 

[NickH8]

I’m officially jumping on the Daniil But bandwagon.

Welcome aboard! Kid can rip pucks with the best of em. Skating is the big weakness that he needs to work on, so he's definitely a gamble, but if you win that bet the payout is huge.

What's you're take on these 3, i could see them being in the range. Moore is one my favorites from the USNTDP, i haven't seen much of them but i would place Smith above Moore and Leonard. I think he's more skilled than Moore and Leonard and i like the right handed shot, that's something what Wings are missing.

Maybe im wrong but it seems to me that Leonard lives from Smith's offense and he seems like a winger more than a center. Im not really sold on Leonard yet, he doesn't seem like a line driver type like Smith and Moore.

Heidt is a intresting prospect, i haven't seen him play or even any highlights but judging by his stats he seems like a classic creative playmaker. Scouting reports say he's also very active defensively as well and excelent skater, sounds very Yzerman-like player.

Fun fact, he's uncle is Ryan Keller. Former Griffin who also played 2 years in Finland, highly skilled player, a dual threath.

How come Yager is in bottom of the list?

1. We had some discussion earlier in the thread about those three USNTDP guys. I think the majority in the scouting world would order them Smith, Moore, Leonard. I think Leonard has been pigeon holed as the finisher on that top line, and he's flashed some creativity and play driving. He has the skill and skating to be a posession force. I did also bring up that they are just that, flashes. I'm prepared to drop him a little bit if his creativity doesn't start to show more consistently near the end of the year.
Moore I love. I elaborated on him a little earlier.
Smith is a wonderful player, I just see more completeness out of Moore and Leonard at the moment. I also have an issue with how Smith can play hero puck and skate into 3 defenders and lose the puck.

2. Heidt is excellent. You're pretty bang on, smart playmaker who has the vision to make some nutty passes. Also executes the simple plays consistently. He's no Bergeron, there's always guys that get their two way games overhyped, but he is responsible in his own end. Love watching him and Ziemmer who I have a little lower on the list.

3. I see Yager as a Fabbri type middle 6 finisher. His shot is great, but he doesn't seem to create a ton on his own, at least for a top prospect in a junior league. I've weirdly been seeing him called a 2-way center, one scout calling him Bergeron lite in McKenzies ranking, but I find that pretty weird. Like Heidt he's responsible but he's not gonna be Danault level defensively, maybe Copp level.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

#teamsmith

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

After watching a bit more, I feel like the guy who really compliments this team the best as it exists now is Colby Barlow. Big kid, skates pretty well, just a powerful scoring winger. He would open up a lot of space for Raymond or Berggren, and would be a total nightmare alongside Kasper.

Of course, if Larkin is gone, that blows up the team composition and you pretty much have to go get a center...

 

[lilidk]

He's one of the better dmen in the draft. I've actually only seen him in the KHL so I'm curious if you saw any offensive potential in the MHL?

He has plenty tools , don't know about toolbox, big, good skater, could play physical game, way better than Wallinder was when we drafted him.hopping for Russian factors

 

[NickH8]

Gavin Brindley with a booming one timer from Fantilli. Haven't seen much of that from him, nice to see. My pick for most underrated player in the draft.

 

[NickH8]

 

[SantosHalper]

1. We had some discussion earlier in the thread about those three USNTDP guys. I think the majority in the scouting world would order them Smith, Moore, Leonard. I think Leonard has been pigeon holed as the finisher on that top line, and he's flashed some creativity and play driving. He has the skill and skating to be a posession force. I did also bring up that they are just that, flashes. I'm prepared to drop him a little bit if his creativity doesn't start to show more consistently near the end of the year.
Moore I love. I elaborated on him a little earlier.
Smith is a wonderful player, I just see more completeness out of Moore and Leonard at the moment. I also have an issue with how Smith can play hero puck and skate into 3 defenders and lose the puck.

2. Heidt is excellent. You're pretty bang on, smart playmaker who has the vision to make some nutty passes. Also executes the simple plays consistently. He's no Bergeron, there's always guys that get their two way games overhyped, but he is responsible in his own end. Love watching him and Ziemmer who I have a little lower on the list.

3. I see Yager as a Fabbri type middle 6 finisher. His shot is great, but he doesn't seem to create a ton on his own, at least for a top prospect in a junior league. I've weirdly been seeing him called a 2-way center, one scout calling him Bergeron lite in McKenzies ranking, but I find that pretty weird. Like Heidt he's responsible but he's not gonna be Danault level defensively, maybe Copp level.

Thanks.

I also see lot Larkin in Moore, it's easy to like him. Sounds like Smith has a confidence problem, he has too much of it . Then i have i've been watching the same Leonard. Heidt is definitely someone to keep an eye for. I would look for creative players in the 1st round and Yager then doesn't sound like one.

 

[lilidk]

Thanks.

I also see lot Larkin in Moore, it's easy to like him. Sounds like Smith has a confidence problem, he has too much of it . Then i have i've been watching the same Leonard. Heidt is definitely someone to keep an eye for. I would look for creative players in the 1st round and Yager then doesn't sound like one.

Confidence problem, sounds like Zadina

 

[NickH8]

Confidence problem, sounds like Zadina

He meant he has too much confidence. Zadina is quite the opposite, has none of it.

 

[lilidk]

He meant he has too much confidence. Zadina is quite the opposite, has none of it.

Remember Zadina promise fill net with pucks

.

 

[Frk It]

Welcome aboard! Kid can rip pucks with the best of em. Skating is the big weakness that he needs to work on, so he's definitely a gamble, but if you win that bet the payout is huge.

1. We had some discussion earlier in the thread about those three USNTDP guys. I think the majority in the scouting world would order them Smith, Moore, Leonard. I think Leonard has been pigeon holed as the finisher on that top line, and he's flashed some creativity and play driving. He has the skill and skating to be a posession force. I did also bring up that they are just that, flashes. I'm prepared to drop him a little bit if his creativity doesn't start to show more consistently near the end of the year.
Moore I love. I elaborated on him a little earlier.
Smith is a wonderful player, I just see more completeness out of Moore and Leonard at the moment. I also have an issue with how Smith can play hero puck and skate into 3 defenders and lose the puck.

2. Heidt is excellent. You're pretty bang on, smart playmaker who has the vision to make some nutty passes. Also executes the simple plays consistently. He's no Bergeron, there's always guys that get their two way games overhyped, but he is responsible in his own end. Love watching him and Ziemmer who I have a little lower on the list.

3. I see Yager as a Fabbri type middle 6 finisher. His shot is great, but he doesn't seem to create a ton on his own, at least for a top prospect in a junior league. I've weirdly been seeing him called a 2-way center, one scout calling him Bergeron lite in McKenzies ranking, but I find that pretty weird. Like Heidt he's responsible but he's not gonna be Danault level defensively, maybe Copp level.

Also starting to have a few doubts on Yager and projecting him to the next level… which is weird because I was really bullish on him going into the draft cycle.

On the other side of the equation, starting to like guys like Moore and Danielsson more and more because I like how they project to the next level.

I would take Perrault over Leonard. I think he is better offensively and could look like a real steal once he fills out more and matures.

 

[Frk It]

Gavin Brindley with a booming one timer from Fantilli. Haven't seen much of that from him, nice to see. My pick for most underrated player in the draft.

I think you’re onto something with Brindley.

 

[NickH8]

I think you’re onto something with Brindley.

There's just no flaws other than size and goal scoring. Dude plays like he's 6'5" with all the speed and agility of his 5'9" body. He's so involved on the boards and drives the net consistently. His playmaking vision is very good which is his main offensive tool. His hands are also up there. I'm very bullish on him and if he continues to play well he will rise on my board.

 

[lilidk]

Looks like hockey moving toward skills and speed, pretty soon no more grinders. Hockey will be less physical and we should draft according to that

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

There's just no flaws other than size and goal scoring. Dude plays like he's 6'5" with all the speed and agility of his 5'9" body. He's so involved on the boards and drives the net consistently. His playmaking vision is very good which is his main offensive tool. His hands are also up there. I'm very bullish on him and if he continues to play well he will rise on my board.

He could be this year’s 2nd round steal. I don’t think many teams will consider using a 1st on him.

 

[NickH8]

He could be this year’s 2nd round steal. I don’t think many teams will consider using a 1st on him.

I agree that that is the reality but I think they'd be fools to pass up on him if he falls to the mid to late 20s.
Him and Cristall are gonna be steals for the teams that draft them in the late first early second round.

 

[HoweFan]

Will Ryan Leonard be a centre in the NHL? I read somewhere that he projects to more of a winger.

 

[Frk It]

Will Ryan Leonard be a centre in the NHL? I read somewhere that he projects to more of a winger.

He plays wing on the program, not sure if there are plans for him to play center in college or not.

 

[jaster]

I don't know about Ryan Leonard, but that is one of the most interesting question to me in every draft, for every prospect listed as a "center." On one hand, many players listed as a center clearly won't be one in the NHL, and another large group seem more on the fence but also don't turn out to be centers. On the other hand, you can find a comment on 99% of prospects listed as a center saying there is doubt they become one in the NHL (but of course more than 1% do in fact become centers). So accurately parsing out which will be centers, or maybe even the odds that they wind up centers, is always interesting to me.