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

[Heldig]

To MTL:
Keller

To ARI:
5th overall


1. CHI-Bedard
2. ANA-Fantilli
3. CBJ-Michkov
4. SJS-Carlsson
5. ARI-Smith
6. ARI-Leonard
7. PHI-Reinbacher
8. WSH-Dvorak
9. DET-Benson
10.STL-Danielson
11.VAN-Wallinder
12. ARI-Perreault


Perreault-Smith-Leonard
Maccelli-Cooley-Guenther

I want more than the 5th OA for Keller.

 

[Schemp]

I'll bet you that if Leonard is available at 6, we pick him and then trade up to get Reinbacher.

BA must be operating on the assumption that Leonard goes earlier.

I'm under the assumption that Bil Armstrong doesn't like to eat alone. BTW we do have the 12th pick and that is the tier Reinbacher is in.

 

[Jagged Ice]

Dinner is part of the evaluation process, not a date.

 

[rt]

Dinner is part of the evaluation process, not a date.

Does he say his prayers? Does he eat his vegetables? Does he know which fork to use for which course? It’s all data. All metrics.

 

[rt]

I’ll post some screen caps later. Too long to post all of it. But shockingly honest, sometimes downright nasty commentary from anonymous NHL scouts and execs.

It has served to bolster my believe that AZ is extremely keen on Leonard. I believe our backup plans are Reinbacher and Dvorsky.

View attachment 717475

.

I’ll post some screen caps later. Too long to post all of it. But shockingly honest, sometimes downright nasty commentary from anonymous NHL scouts and execs.

It has served to bolster my believe that AZ is extremely keen on Leonard. I believe our backup plans are Reinbacher and Dvorsky.

View attachment 717475

 

[rt]

This is a fantastic article. Incredible insight:

NHL Draft confidential: What scouts and executives think of Bedard, Michkov and more

Who should go No. 2? Where will Michkov land? Here's what Corey Pronman is hearing about the top prospects ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

 

[rt]

I want more than the 5th OA for Keller.

If he asks to be traded, and 5th overall immediately becomes available for him, I’d take it and avoid months of drama a la Chychrun. Take the pick, turn the page. My preference would be to make the trade prior to the draft a la OEL. Trade for the asset before everyone gets all caught up in the specific names.

 

[lanky]

Thanks for sharing that article @rt.
So interesting.

I just want to shake the guy who says Michkov could become a very ordinary and replaceable piece.

 

[rt]

Thanks for sharing that article @rt.
So interesting.

I just want to shake the guy who says Michkov could become a very ordinary and replaceable piece.

I could see it. He’s small and not a great skater. Rumors and insinuations of baggage surrounding him. There have been guys with supreme hockey IQ and puck skills that didn’t amount to much. You need the right attitude, the right dedication, and the right motor. I’m not saying he doesn’t have those things. But if you believe he doesn’t, than is his Rob Schremp or Nikita Filatov or one of the many examples of prospects with very specific, very elite skills, but tons of other holes?

People say he’s the Russian Bedard but with Russia drama. But maybe he’s more like the Russian Perreault but with Russia drama AND his own baggage? Perrault has incredible IQ and puck skills and production. And plenty of question marks.

As always, I expect the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Anyway, if I was a Habs fan or a Flyers fan or a Wings fan I’d want this kid badly. I’d have a one track mind. Michkov isn’t the problem for me, it’s the Coyotes. Arizona has got to be in his bottom 5 of NHL destination preferences.

He can take as much time as he wants. And if he waits long enough he can get himself a good amount of leverage.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

and I thought last year’s draft was fascinating…2-6 is an absolute crap shoot due to Michkov.

 

[lanky]

and I thought last year’s draft was fascinating…2-6 is an absolute crap shoot due to Michkov.

I think just about everyone expects the first three to be Bedard, Fantilli then Carlsson, in that order.

Majority think Smith and Michkov are next. I kinda think they might both fall out of the top five.

 

[Prestigeworldwide]

I would take Benson over Michkov. Benson is a legit 200 foot player with a motor. That being said, I have Leonard and smith ahead of both.
I would love either Benson and Michkov at 12 though.

 

[rt]

My list:

1.Bedard
-
2.Fantilli
-
3.Carlson
4.Benson
5.Smith
-
6.Leonard
7.Dvorsky
8.Michkov
-
9.Danielson
10.Barlow
11.Honzek
12.Reinbacher
-
13.Yager
14.Moore
15.Wood
16.Ritchie

I don’t really know how I’d rank the rest. Perreault, Willander and Dragicevic are maybe next? Maybe But perhaps?

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

My list:

1.Bedard
-
2.Fantilli
-
3.Carlson
4.Benson
5.Smith
-
6.Leonard
7.Dvorsky
8.Michkov
-
9.Danielson
10.Barlow
11.Honzek
12.Reinbacher
-
13.Yager
14.Moore
15.Wood
16.Ritchie

I don’t really know how I’d rank the rest. Perreault, Willander and Dragicevic are maybe next? Maybe But perhaps?

Switch Wood w/Reinbacher and I'm on board 100%

 

[Llewzaher]

This how the draft is going to go top 5

Bedard
Fantilli
Carlson
Smith
Leonard.

and because we are Coyote Fans.

Reinbacher
Dvorsky
Michkov
Benson
Danielson
Wood
Sandin Pelikilaka

.
View attachment 717549
View attachment 717550
View attachment 717551


View attachment 717552View attachment 717553View attachment 717554

Executive 3 I agree with especially about the D men

 

[hbk]

This how the draft is going to go top 5

Bedard
Fantilli
Carlson
Smith
Leonard.

and because we are Coyote Fans.

Reinbacher
Dvorsky
Michkov
Benson
Danielson
Wood
Sandin Pelikilaka


Executive 3 I agree with especially about the D men

I have 2D in my top 10. Iif some of the forward options were bigger i would likely have put them higher on my list. I don’t think it’s scarcity on D that has then in top 10 as much as it is the projection of some of the forward prospects slated to go in that 10-20 range.

 

[rt]

Columbus is 100% taking a center. They’ve said it repeatedly. This means the earliest Michkov goes is 4th to San Jose. I don’t think they’ll take him but they might. I figure they’ll want whichever of Carlsson or Smith is left after Columbus picks. That leaves Montreal. Will they really take Leonard over Michkov?

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Columbus is 100% taking a center. They’ve said it repeatedly. This means the earliest Michkov goes is 4th to San Jose. I don’t think they’ll take him but they might. I figure they’ll want whichever of Carlsson or Smith is left after Columbus picks. That leaves Montreal. Will they really take Leonard over Michkov?

Historically speaking? Yeah, 100% they would take a North American prospect over a Russian as a rule.

 

[Llewzaher]

Man I hope the Habs take Reinbacher.

 

[Schemp]

Man I hope the Habs take Reinbacher.

I hope a team trades up with San Jose (Washington?, StL?).

 

[rt]

Man I hope the Habs take Reinbacher.

Yes. Please! That would be ideal.

Historically speaking? Yeah, 100% they would take a North American prospect over a Russian as a rule.

They took a Euro in Slafkovsky last year. I know he’s not a Russian. But they did take and like Romanov somewhat recently. Then again, it’s a whole new front office will all of one single draft under their belts. Scouting department was overhauled too.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

They took a Euro in Slafkovsky last year. I know he’s not a Russian. But they did take and like Romanov somewhat recently. Then again, it’s a whole new front office will all of one single draft under their belts. Scouting department was overhauled too.

Yeah, that's why I had to qualify it... I have no idea what nu-Habs are gonna do this year.

 

[rt]

1. CHI - Bedard
2. ANA - Fantilli
3. CBJ - Carlsson/Smith
4. SJS - Smith/Carlsson
5. MTL - Michkov/Leonard/Reinbacher/Dvorsky
6. ARI - Leonard (or Reinbacher/Dvorsky)

 

[The Feckless Puck]

I dunno, I haven't even seen the kid play, but from every description I've read I just really want Leonard at 6.

 

[rt]

I dunno, I haven't even seen the kid play, but from every description I've read I just really want Leonard at 6.

He was my favorite on the u17 team back in 21/22. By a long shot. At that time, I didn’t see the offensive upside of a borderline Top 5 pick. He was more of a sentimental favorite because he plays with his hair on fire and is a joy to watch. I figured mid-1st. But this season (I didn’t see him play as often as last season) he showed another level. 50+ goals. Nearly a goal per game. Plus the golden goal at the u18.

I’d have a hard time picking between him and Smith. I’d pick Benson over either. But that’s an extreme minority opinion.