2023 Draft Discussion

[Zetterberg4Captain]

As much as we need explosive talent, can we afford to pckg multiple high picks for a guy who may not come over to NA for years and thats excluding the current world political situation?

You wanna use a 2nd rd puck on a russian guy who should have gone in the 1st then fill your boots, but, not a top 10 pick and certainly not a top 10 plus a top 15 pick

 

[RedHawkDown]

Passing on Michkov would be a terrible decision. He is at Bedard s level

 

[WingsToPick4th]

would you guys trade 10OA and 17OA for 5th overall to draft Michkov? I would. Larkin - Michkov - Kasper is filthy

 

[RedHawkDown]

would you guys trade 10OA and 17OA for 5th overall to draft Michkov? I would. Larkin - Michkov - Kasper is filthy

I would trade 10,17, and a 2nd. In a heartbeat.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

As much as we need explosive talent, can we afford to pckg multiple high picks for a guy who may not come over to NA for years and thats excluding the current world political situation?

You wanna use a 2nd rd puck on a russian guy who should have gone in the 1st then fill your boots, but, not a top 10 pick and certainly not a top 10 plus a top 15 pick

Just wait for Arizona to draft him and Michkov refuses to sign him so his rights are up in the air.

 

[Murmansk16A]

would you guys trade 10OA and 17OA for 5th overall to draft Michkov? I would. Larkin - Michkov - Kasper is filthy

Are you suggesting that as one forward line, or as the top three centers? Because I thought Michkov was a winger, not a center.

 

[SantosHalper]

would you guys trade 10OA and 17OA for 5th overall to draft Michkov? I would. Larkin - Michkov - Kasper is filthy

I would trade 10,17, and a 2nd. In a heartbeat.

The problem is not Michkov, more like the place where he plays. Michkov is not going to cross the pond until 2026, that's for sure and the problem is that nobody knows what's the situation in Russia going to be then. Is it going to be Yeltsin's Russia, another version of runned down Soviet Union or North Korea 2.0 ?

And where the Red Wings are now, it's just too risky to pay two 1st round picks for a guy who might not sniff the NHL rinks until he's in his early/mid 30's. And again considersing how deep this draft is, Red Wings would be shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[DanielMarois]

One prospect who has caught my eye is Jayden Perron, seems to have really good offensive ability. If the Isles keep winning and the pick becomes a late teens pick, I think the Wings should go for him.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Where do you see us drafting with our two picks?

Probably 10ish for the Wings. Isle's 14?

I don't think they make the playoffs, so I don't know where to exactly place it.

 

[Detroit Knights]

I can see the wings getting as high as 7th pick, but most likely 8th or 9th tbh

 

[simonedvinsson]

would you guys trade 10OA and 17OA for 5th overall to draft Michkov? I would. Larkin - Michkov - Kasper is filthy

Absolutely. If he drops to fifth, then the Russian factor is alive and well, and if teams are apprehensive enough, perhaps Alexander Rykov, Daniil But, Dmitri Simashev, and Mikhael Gulyayev could be targets in the second... but now I'm living in a fantasy world. It could happen, sure, but I'll be shocked if Michkov is available past four.

 

[Reddwit]

I really like Sam Honzek. He plays like what we all hoped Mantha would be, and he still could be a center. He moves so well for a huge guy too.

 

[MBH]

Probably 10ish for the Wings. Isle's 14?

I don't think they make the playoffs, so I don't know where to exactly place it.

Isles look pretty decent for the playoffs now.
Only way they get knocked out is if they suddenly fall apart or Florida goes nuts.

 

[lilidk]

In this strong draft year I'd rather keep both 10 and 17. Get top 5 will cost arm and leg and it is not guarantee anything. Better choice whoud be to trade up our second and late rounds.

would you guys trade 10OA and 17OA for 5th overall to draft Michkov? I would. Larkin - Michkov - Kasper is filthy

 

[NickH8]

I've made some good progress since the turn of the new year scouting out this years draft. I've got 54 guys I've got at least one viewing on. Some I watched on streams, some I could only get in a shift by shift on youtube (thank god for the puck enthusiast on youtube this year). I've got a top 20 that I've seen at least three viewings each player that I've got confidence in and feel good presenting as a representation of the work I've done.
My February Top 20:

1. Connor Bedard	C	Regina Pats	WHL
2. Adam Fantilli	C	University of Michigan	B1G
3. Matvei Michkov	RW	HK Sochi	KHL
4. Leo Carlsson	C	Orebro HK	SHL
5. Zach Benson	LW	Winnipeg Ice	WHL
6. Oliver Moore	C	USNTDP	USHL
7. Ryan Leonard	C/RW	USNTDP	USHL
8. Will Smith	C	USNTDP	USHL
9. Andrew Cristall	LW	Kelowna Rockets	WHL
10. Riley Heidt	C	Prince George Cougars	WHL
11. Daniil But	LW	Loko-76 Yaroslavl	MHL
12. David Reinbacher	D	EHC Kloten	NL
13. Eduard Sale	LW	HC Kometa Brno	Czechia
14. Samuel Honzek	C	Vancouver Giants	WHL
15. Nate Danielson	C	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL
16. Dmitri Simashev	D	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl	KHL
17. Colby Barlow	LW	Owen Sound Attack	OHL
18. Dalibor Dvorsky	C	AIK	Hockey Allsvenskan
19. Brayden Yager	C	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL
20. Gavin Brindley	C/RW	University of Michigan	B1G

Honorable Mention: Jayden Perron, just barely missed the cut but Brindley's defensive game gave him the edge.

Updated list. This time I will go to 32. Lots of movement in my top 20 I posted before, mostly due to players rising and not falling. But is a guy who fell a lot simply due to the guys around him rising. Overall I think there are 19 guys in this draft that I would consider "top 10 picks" in most drafts. Really impressive.
Also, I've been really hard on Smith, but he's continued to increase my view of him. I'll stop being stubborn about him.

1. Connor Bedard	C	Regina Pats	WHL
2. Matvei Michkov	RW	HK Sochi	KHL
3. Adam Fantilli	C	University of Michigan	B1G
4. Leo Carlsson	C/LW	Orebro HK	SHL
5. Zach Benson	LW	Winnipeg Ice	WHL
6. Andrew Cristall	LW	Kelowna Rockets	WHL
7. Will Smith	C/RW	USNTDP	USHL
8. Oliver Moore	C	USNTDP	USHL
9. David Reinbacher	D	EHC Kloten	NL
10. Nate Danielson	C	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL
11. Colby Barlow	LW	Owen Sound Attack	OHL
12. Ryan Leonard	C/RW	USNTDP	USHL
13. Eduard Sale	LW	HC Kometa Brno	Czechia
14. Samuel Honzek	C/LW	Vancouver Giants	WHL
15. Gavin Brindley	C/RW	University of Michigan	B1G
16. Riley Heidt	C/LW	Prince George Cougars	WHL
17. Dalibor Dvorsky	C	AIK	Hockey Allsvenskan
18. Daniil But	LW	Loko-76 Yaroslavl	MHL
19. Jayden Perron	RW	Chicago Steel	USHL
20. Gabe Perreault	LW	USNTDP	USHL
21. Quentin Musty	LW	Sudbury Wolves	OHL
22. Koehn Ziemmer	RW	Prince George Cougars	WHL
23. Brayden Yager	C	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL
24. Dmitri Simashev	D	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl	KHL
25. Oscar Fisker Molgaard	LW	HV71	SHL
26. Matthew Wood	C	UCONN	Hockey East
27. Felix Nilsson	C/LW	Rogle BK	SHL
28. Otto Stenberg	C/LW	Frolunda HC	SHL
29. David Edstrom	C	Frolunda HC	SHL
30. Mikhail Gulyayev	D	Omskie Yastreby	MHL
31. Tanner Molendyk	D	Saskatoon Blades	WHL
32. Timur Mukhanov	C/RW	Omskie Krylia	VHL

 

[Perfect Human]

Will Russian players again fall due to speculation over their ability and likelihood of coming to NA?

 

[lilidk]

Will Russian players again fall due to speculation over their ability and likelihood of coming to NA?

Very good question . Sometimes world class players just stay in KHL despite money and play against the best, Like Grigorenko, even Yakupov. Radulov , Kovalchuk , Datsyuk could still play at the highest level , but for some reason they decide to play in Russia. Is it even worth to draft from Russia if they even never come over.

 

[Frk It]

Updated list. This time I will go to 32. Lots of movement in my top 20 I posted before, mostly due to players rising and not falling. But is a guy who fell a lot simply due to the guys around him rising. Overall I think there are 19 guys in this draft that I would consider "top 10 picks" in most drafts. Really impressive.
Also, I've been really hard on Smith, but he's continued to increase my view of him. I'll stop being stubborn about him.

1. Connor Bedard	C	Regina Pats	WHL
2. Matvei Michkov	RW	HK Sochi	KHL
3. Adam Fantilli	C	University of Michigan	B1G
4. Leo Carlsson	C/LW	Orebro HK	SHL
5. Zach Benson	LW	Winnipeg Ice	WHL
6. Andrew Cristall	LW	Kelowna Rockets	WHL
7. Will Smith	C/RW	USNTDP	USHL
8. Oliver Moore	C	USNTDP	USHL
9. David Reinbacher	D	EHC Kloten	NL
10. Nate Danielson	C	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL
11. Colby Barlow	LW	Owen Sound Attack	OHL
12. Ryan Leonard	C/RW	USNTDP	USHL
13. Eduard Sale	LW	HC Kometa Brno	Czechia
14. Samuel Honzek	C/LW	Vancouver Giants	WHL
15. Gavin Brindley	C/RW	University of Michigan	B1G
16. Riley Heidt	C/LW	Prince George Cougars	WHL
17. Dalibor Dvorsky	C	AIK	Hockey Allsvenskan
18. Daniil But	LW	Loko-76 Yaroslavl	MHL
19. Jayden Perron	RW	Chicago Steel	USHL
20. Gabe Perreault	LW	USNTDP	USHL
21. Quentin Musty	LW	Sudbury Wolves	OHL
22. Koehn Ziemmer	RW	Prince George Cougars	WHL
23. Brayden Yager	C	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL
24. Dmitri Simashev	D	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl	KHL
25. Oscar Fisker Molgaard	LW	HV71	SHL
26. Matthew Wood	C	UCONN	Hockey East
27. Felix Nilsson	C/LW	Rogle BK	SHL
28. Otto Stenberg	C/LW	Frolunda HC	SHL
29. David Edstrom	C	Frolunda HC	SHL
30. Mikhail Gulyayev	D	Omskie Yastreby	MHL
31. Tanner Molendyk	D	Saskatoon Blades	WHL
32. Timur Mukhanov	C/RW	Omskie Krylia	VHL

I have an updated list. I like to keep a running list every year. But I've seen very little of these players, so I am kind of doing it more or less for fun this year. (I'm a lot more into the NFL draft/free agency right now)

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

 

[Killerjas]

In what world does Dvorsky go before Sale...
Edit: let me rephrase it: I don't think Dvorsky should go before Sale

 

[Frk It]

In what world does Dvorsky go before Sale...

They are 1 spot apart and in the same tier in my world. I would say the guys I have 5-9 and then 10-20 are pretty interchangeable.

Bob Mckenzie had Dvorsky #9 and Sale #12 on his mid-season list polling NHL scouts. hockeyprospect.com has Dvorsky at #11 and Sale at #23. I feel like I am higher on Sale than the consensus. Although I know Craig Button is really high on Sale, which I appreciate.

What does your list look like?

 

[NickH8]

I have an updated list. I like to keep a running list every year. But I've seen very little of these players, so I am kind of doing it more or less for fun this year. (I'm a lot more into the NFL draft/free agency right now)

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

What's your take on Yager? I cooled off on him a lot this year, he seems to me like a middle 6 scorer at best.

 

[Frk It]

What's your take on Yager? I cooled off on him a lot this year, he seems to me like a middle 6 scorer at best.

I went from having him like ~5th to just outside my top 10. Could end up being even farther down, not sure. Was trying not to overreact too much.

Could see him being a similar pro as Nick Suzuki. But I also understand being a little hesitant when looking at him vs others.

 

[NickH8]

They are 1 spot apart and in the same tier in my world. I would say the guys I have 5-9 and then 10-20 are pretty interchangeable.

Bob Mckenzie had Dvorsky #9 and Sale #12 on his mid-season list polling NHL scouts. hockeyprospect.com has Dvorsky at #11 and Sale at #23. I feel like I am higher on Sale than the consensus. Although I know Craig Button is really high on Sale, which I appreciate.

What does your list look like?

Dvorsky and Sale are interesting players to me, that's for sure. I need to watch more on them, especially Dvorsky, to see what people are high on.

 

[Killerjas]

They are 1 spot apart and in the same tier in my world. I would say the guys I have 5-9 and then 10-20 are pretty interchangeable.

Bob Mckenzie had Dvorsky #9 and Sale #12 on his mid-season list polling NHL scouts. hockeyprospect.com has Dvorsky at #11 and Sale at #23. I feel like I am higher on Sale than the consensus. Although I know Craig Button is really high on Sale, which I appreciate.

What does your list look like?

My list is not even close to be finished yet, but my top 5 right now is quite firm and I highly doubt it will change. Bedard, Fantilli, Michkov, Carlsson, Smith in that order.

6 to 15, wide open, which includes Cristall, Benson, Danielson, Sale, Moore, Yager, Simashev, Leonard, Perron, Wood and some more.
I believe the 1st round is quite stacked, after pick 5 it can go all over the place, difficult to project but I am always a fan of skill.

Personally I have Dvorsky lower then most people because I am not super over the moon by his Allsvenskan production. Sale produces in more competitive league. Dvorsky lacks a bit of speed when he is under pressure and I believe he needs to work on his footwork to be quicker on his feet. I highly value skating ability, Dvorsky is just not my kind of pick. If he falls, sure, but at 7 it is too early for me

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

I wonder if there could be a gem among these Junior A kids - Aiden Fink, Bradley Nadeau, Aydar Suniev

Kinda hard to say though because they play on such powerhouse teams.

Also this kid scores a lot of goals for someone ranked #211 by Central Scouting:
Ryan Conmy at eliteprospects.com

I like Nadeau, likely a 2nd rounder.