Prospect Info: 2023 Draft Thread (Yotes picking #6 & #12)

[zerekstar]

They rank Smith very high. Is he actually considered to be better than Cooley?

 

[hbk]

They rank Smith very high. Is he actually considered to be better than Cooley?

No.

 

[BUX7PHX]

Have you watched Logan Cooley play hockey?

Yes, he is outstanding. Has easily been the most dynamic player in college and looks like he is the top drafted prospect from the last 3 or 4 drafts combined for all prospects.

I am more concerned about having Lamoreaux as our top defensive prospect. I am worried that when we attempt to fill in our pool, we may elevate a player who is not that good but plays a position that we are weaker at (i.e. taking a defenseman earlier than needed). If Reinbacher is there at #7, are we getting a player who is considerably less polished but is elevated as the first defenseman off board? Is he truly the 7th best player? To me, he is not. He is closer to that pick from Ottawa, I have him at 10.

I was throwing a hypothetical out there. This year seemed like the draft to solve our C issue, but that doesn't mean that Cooley isn't that or can't be that #1. As an example, if Ottawa were to win the draft lottery and that pick is deferred, I will be extremely happy that we have Cooley because with only 1 pick to make, we add another forward with Cooley.

If that does not happen and we get a top 2 pick, we are getting a center in Bedard or Fantilli who are ahead of Cooley, and then that Ottawa pick still seems like it is C territory. If we stay at/around the pick at 6, 7, or 8, it seems like we are sacrificing the value of say the 8th pick to take a player that should likely go later if we decide to go defense with Reinbacher. Again, my take, but I don't have an incredibly strong feel for the defensemen in this draft. Reinbacher is my clear top D, but I think we will find the best talent at forward for where we are at.

Just seems like we are headed for a top prospect group of either:

Bedard/Fantilli, Cooley, Leonard, Geekie - if we do win a top 2 in the lottery, I would prefer to have taken Jiricek
Cooley, Benson, Leonard, Geekie - this is the difficult one, because as much as I like Cooley, I feel that there are 2 players in who we take at ours and the OTT pick that could make up for Cooley, but there is not as strong as a defensive prospect available. Talent is talent, but I like building defensive depth through the ranks, as I feel like it is less likely a team gives up a top defenseman vs a top forward prospect in moves.

If we do take a defenseman, I feel like we would be elevating Reinbacher and maybe one of either Pelllikka/Dragicevic to a selection that does not match up. Seems like a way to not capitalize to the strengths of the draft. That's all I am saying. Moot point on Jiricek vs Cooley since we have Cooley, but we would be bare bones at D prospects if Lamoreaux is our top prospect and I would not feel as strong about that side of our prospect group, regardless of whether or not we get a defenseman this year.

Not a popular take, and Cooley has made enough of an impression that maybe I am overestimating the forward talent this year with Cooley's performance and elevated status, but I am not a huge fan of Lamoreaux as our top defensive prospect right now. But we did not miss on Cooley, which feels nice after so many misses.

 

[rt]

I love this kid. Huge fan. This is such a clutch performance. Bum shoulder, playing wing because of it, but buzzing around, working his arse off and setting up huge, important goals in a massive upset from an underdog over a powerhouse.

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

Just watching some Nate Danielson, love how he handles the puck with speed and does a good job of protecting it while scanning for opportunities. These kids are heating up at the right time- Ritchie looks incredible in the tweet rt posted. Danielson with 13 in 12 and Colby Barlow 11 in 10.

 

[TheLegend]

Fantilli wins the Hobey Baker.

 

[BAdvocate]

Fantilli wins the Hobie Baker.

He's no Andy Miele...

Or were you referring to a hoagie baker?

 

[Grimes]

Fantilli wins the Hobey Baker.

All this makes me think is that Cooley is going to use this as motivation to be better than Fantilli.

 

[rt]

Just watching some Nate Danielson, love how he handles the puck with speed and does a good job of protecting it while scanning for opportunities. These kids are heating up at the right time- Ritchie looks incredible in the tweet rt posted. Danielson with 13 in 12 and Colby Barlow 11 in 10.

I’m a big Danielson fan. I’ve got him 8th on my list. I’ve got Barlow 9th and Honzek 10th. I’ve got Ritchie 12th but could go up to 11th based on playoffs.

All this makes me think is that Cooley is going to use this as motivation to be better than Fantilli.

“I took that personally…” - Logan Cooley (probably)

 

[rt]

Look at how stupid Fantilli’s hair is. Gotta love it.



And look how much Logan Cooley hates losing. Even stupid awards in the middle of a championship run.



Just mean mugging the ENTIRE time. Haha.

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

I’m a big Danielson fan. I’ve got him 8th on my list. I’ve got Barlow 9th and Honzek 10th. I’ve got Ritchie 12th but could go up to 11th based on playoffs.

Watching the Hockey Writers webcast and they were talking about late risers and Samuel Honzek’s name came up as a possible Coyote pick with Ottawa’s pick- they don’t see an issue with skating, on the plus side they noted he can play center.

 

[XX]

They rank Smith very high. Is he actually considered to be better than Cooley?

NHLe models by their nature overvalue future potential. As a player gets more removed from their draft, the model becomes more certain because there's more evidence. It's relatively useful for handicapping production across disparate leagues but not much else. Even then, you have to be careful of individual circumstances. Rundblad and Jaskin were really successful overseas but not NHLers, for example.

 

[TheLegend]

He's no Andy Miele...

Or were you referring to a hoagie baker?

I figure he was a Jeff Spicoli type.

(I also fixed it)

 

[MIGs Dog]

Look at how stupid Fantilli’s hair

Already rocking the Mullett

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

They rank Smith very high. Is he actually considered to be better than Cooley?

It took me a while to see why some people hate him and some love him. His good games are great, moving his feet and hustling, creating chances with his line mates, and playing defense with an active stick clogging lanes. His bad games he tries to do everything on his own, lazy lazy, and acts like he’s playing defense. The problem is those bad games he still puts up points, but no coach at a higher level is going to let that fly. If a team thinks their development system can correct that, he’s worth a high pick. I’d rather have Leonard.

 

[zerekstar]

NHLe models by their nature overvalue future potential. As a player gets more removed from their draft, the model becomes more certain because there's more evidence. It's relatively useful for handicapping production across disparate leagues but not much else. Even then, you have to be careful of individual circumstances. Rundblad and Jaskin were really successful overseas but not NHLers, for example.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Hacketts]

I'm ready to be flamed.

Let's say you guys win the #1 pick and you get your franchise player, CB.

What do you think of Montreal trading the 5/6/7th pick for David Reinbacher and Montreals (Fla) 16/17/18th & Jordan Harris for Logan Cooley.

You walk away for the best player in the draft, best player since Connor McDavid most likely, the top D, and another possible very good player, and young D prospect who potential top 4.

Emotions aside of you're love for Cooley, does that trade make your team better.

 

[lanky]

That might be a draft floor decision once we see who's available at the MTL pick.

I think it's a fair offer, but probably not enticing enough.

 

[Jakey53]

NHLe models by their nature overvalue future potential. As a player gets more removed from their draft, the model becomes more certain because there's more evidence. It's relatively useful for handicapping production across disparate leagues but not much else. Even then, you have to be careful of individual circumstances. Rundblad and Jaskin were really successful overseas but not NHLers, for example.

This happens every year. These are still kids when they get drafted and have many years of mental and physical growth ahead of them, and the end result will differ with every kid.

 

[Puck possession wins]

I am more concerned about having Lamoreaux as our top defensive prospect. I am worried that when we attempt to fill in our pool, we may elevate a player who is not that good but plays a position that we are weaker at (i.e. taking a defenseman earlier than needed).

There are always more avenues to acquire top level caliber defensemen.

Also, in terms of quantity, the 2024 draft is going to be way better in terms of picking a defenseman compared to this year. So I'd rather prefer we went Fwd/Fwd with our picks this year, to supplement the amount fo offensive prospects we have.

There is also always the option of trading picks/prospects for a better defenseman as well. With the 10 second round picks we have between 24/25/26 it would be almost better to move a bunch of them for a top level D who's on the end of an RFA deal with a capped out team.

Though I get your sentiment with wanting to fill up the lacking D prospect pool, sometimes you just have to realize the draft does not break your way (in terms of postion).

When in doubt, take BPA. If the BPA is a forward, so be it, the best players will help your team in the end ... no matter the position.

 

[FinnishCoyote]

I'm ready to be flamed.

Let's say you guys win the #1 pick and you get your franchise player, CB.

What do you think of Montreal trading the 5/6/7th pick for David Reinbacher and Montreals (Fla) 16/17/18th for Logan Cooley.

You walk away for the best player in the draft, best player since Connor McDavid most likely, the top D, and another possible very good player. Emotions aside of you're love for Cooley, does that trade your team better.

I think value isn’t that bad, but i would like to stack our centers and i’m not even sure that Bedard is a center in NHL.

With this trade we could go from 2 potentials 1C’s to 0 1C’s (if Bedard is a winger)

 

[rt]

I'm ready to be flamed.

Let's say you guys win the #1 pick and you get your franchise player, CB.

What do you think of Montreal trading the 5/6/7th pick for David Reinbacher and Montreals (Fla) 16/17/18th for Logan Cooley.

You walk away for the best player in the draft, best player since Connor McDavid most likely, the top D, and another possible very good player. Emotions aside of you're love for Cooley, does that trade your team better.

There’s no chance I’d trade Cooley for those two picks.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

There are always more avenues to acquire top level caliber defensemen.

Also, in terms of quantity, the 2024 draft is going to be way better in terms of picking a defenseman compared to this year. So I'd rather prefer we went Fwd/Fwd with our picks this year, to supplement the amount fo offensive prospects we have.

There is also always the option of trading picks/prospects for a better defenseman as well. With the 10 second round picks we have between 24/25/26 it would be almost better to move a bunch of them for a top level D who's on the end of an RFA deal with a capped out team.

Though I get your sentiment with wanting to fill up the lacking D prospect pool, sometimes you just have to realize the draft does not break your way (in terms of postion).

When in doubt, take BPA. If the BPA is a forward, so be it, the best players will help your team in the end ... no matter the position.

I agree...especially since we already have Lamoreaux and Duda in the pipeline...better to get 2 higher upside forwards as our group is still near the bottom in goals per game.

 

[hbk]

I'm ready to be flamed.

Let's say you guys win the #1 pick and you get your franchise player, CB.

What do you think of Montreal trading the 5/6/7th pick for David Reinbacher and Montreals (Fla) 16/17/18th for Logan Cooley.

You walk away for the best player in the draft, best player since Connor McDavid most likely, the top D, and another possible very good player. Emotions aside of you're love for Cooley, does that trade your team better.

I think we run with Cooley as our 2C.

 

[rt]

I agree...especially since we already have Lamoreaux and Duda in the pipeline...better to get 2 higher upside forwards as our group is still near the bottom in goals per game.

There’s going to be a great blueline prospect there for us at our early 2nd this year. Then we can trade a pair of future 2nds for a disgruntled young RFA D this summer. Then next draft we can take a D with our top 10 pick. At that point, we’ll have a very solid pipeline of defensemen.

I think we run with Cooley as our 2C.

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