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

[rt]

Why because Leonard went out for supper with Bill Armstrong?

Nope. If you paid attention you’d know.

I get that people have said Benson will drop on draft day, but I really can't see it happening.

I can. I expect it.

I am glad you see how good Benson is, I think he is better than Will Smith as well.

Same.

Did you watch Benson that closely?

Much more than you. At least 50 times over the last two seasons.

They didn't play together all the time, but there was def spurts this year where they were playing on the same line. The coach seemed to always switch up the lines.

What i said was correct.

 

[rt]

So we'll be trading down with Washington so they can draft Michkov and we'll be picking Benson with the 8th pick and gaining Chesley and the 40th pick?

I would love that. I think we’d probably have to add 72nd, though.

 

[zerekstar]

Benson reminds me a little of TGO with his work behind the net.

 

[Half Clapper]

I like him a lot...problem that i have is that we already have smaller players or players that play small in Keller, Schmaltz, Maccelli all that are top 6 players and if we add Benson, then 4 of the top 6 players play small or are small.

If we added Benson then the top 6 would only have 1 player that plays with grit (Cooley)...imho that isn't enough to excel in the playoffs. Need more sandpaper like what Leonard brings even though he might have a lower ceiling, he's got intangibles that coaches covet.

Have you watched Benson play? He definitely doesn't play small, and we got sandpaper on the team. Crouse, Mcbain, Cooley, Hayton etc. Plus good chance we draft another winger with sandpaper at #12. You don't pass up on a player just because he is smaller. That is Brian Burke logic lol

 

[Half Clapper]

Nope. If you paid attention you’d know.

I can. I expect it.

Same.



Much more than you. At least 50 times over the last two seasons.

What i said was correct.

What you said was wrong lol. Benson and Geekie played together last year. Also, pay attention to what? You're not in an NHL draft room bud. You don't have a clue on who is taking who, just like everybody else that is speculating. I don't give a shit what you read on the internet or if Ryan Leonard went out for supper with Billy.

I'll be honest your arrogant know it all attitude makes you come off like a clown. You're one of these 40+ year old overweight neckbeards. You have probably never even stood up on skates before hahah.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Have you watched Benson play? He definitely doesn't play small, and we got sandpaper on the team. Crouse, Mcbain, Cooley, Hayton etc. Plus good chance we draft another winger with sandpaper at #12. You don't pass up on a player just because he is smaller. That is Brian Burke logic lol

I think you're conflating "puck hound" with "gritty"...there is a huge difference. I've watched plenty of Benson and he doesn't hit, he's a filthy puck hound, but I wouldn't call him gritty.

 

[rt]

What you said was wrong lol. Benson and Geekie played together last year.

They did sometimes. Not regularly. Which is what I said. Which was correct.

Also, pay attention to what? You're not in an NHL draft room bud. You don't have a clue on who is taking who, just like everybody else that is speculating. I don't give a shit what you read on the internet or if Ryan Leonard went out for supper with Billy.

I listened to Armstrong himself. You should try it.

I'll be honest your arrogant know it all attitude makes you come off like a clown. You're one of these 40+ year old overweight neckbeards. You have probably never even stood up on skates before hahah.

I’m just mirroring and matching.

 

[rt]

I think you're conflating "puck hound" with "gritty"...there is a huge difference. I've watched plenty of Benson and he doesn't hit, he's a filthy puck hound, but I wouldn't call him gritty.

He’s a hound of hounds and he’s got an unreal motor. He also doesn’t back down. But doesn’t hurt anyone either. Gutsy but doesn’t have that same violence to his game that Leonard brings.

 

[lanky]

So we'll be trading down with Washington so they can draft Michkov and we'll be picking Benson with the 8th pick and gaining Chesley and the 40th pick?

Nope. We're picking 6 OA.

 

[rt]

Nope. We're picking 6 OA.

Maybe we’ll pick my 12th rated prospect (Reinbacher) at 6th and my 4th rated prospect (Benson) at 12th.

 

[gorsk11]

I will be happy with michkov, leonard or Benson at 6th. I guess I could live with Smith also. But I would rather have Michkov than Smith. There are several players at 12th that I would be happy with. Looking forward to draft day

 

[rt]

I will be happy with michkov, leonard or Benson at 6th. I guess I could live with Smith also. But I would rather have Michkov than Smith. There are several players at 12th that I would be happy with. Looking forward to draft day

I’d be thrilled with any of Benson, Smith, Leonard, Dvorsky or Michkov at 6th. The only realistic option I’m not thrilled with is Reinbacher. But I’d talk myself off the ledge pretty quick. Should be a fun draft.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Agreed...I would be thrilled with Smith, Benson, Leonard, Michkov at #6...Dvorsky is the worst out of that group so I'd be ok with it, just not thrilled.

 

[Llewzaher]

I never said he had the best hockey sense in the draft. @rt nailed it above with his Joe Sakic comparison. Passing on Benson will be a massive mistake. He not only has great hockey sense, but he is an unbelievable worker. This is the type of player that BA loves, and seeing that BA took Cooley last year, who isn't that big, I can't see BA and scouts passing up on him.

Leonard has this new toy shiny syndrome after the U18s and I think that is skewing people's perception of him. Idc where players are ranked, go watch highlights and scouting videos of both of these guys, and tell me which one you think has the higher potential to be great.

Rankings do not mean shit, Joe Sakic was drafted 15th overall due to his size, and it looks like Benson is going to be drafted later because of it too, but smaller wingers are flourishing in todays NHL.

EDIT: Also, Benson played with Geekie this year, which def is another factor on why I think the Yotes should take him. The two had chemistry on the ice.

I actually agree with part of what you said about Leonard and his play at the U 18s.. I think his stock did rise because of that… much the same way Reinbacher has because of lack of D in the top 15..

And I love Benson as well…

I think,Leonard is what BA is looking for which is why I don’t think we pick Benson at least at 6.
And because I trust the scouting team BA has put together ( so far )I hope we get Leonard, as they seem to really like him…

unless that is all for show

 

[Prestigeworldwide]

After the combine its nothing but speculation and tons of rumors. At 6 and 12 we're getting solid players in a great draft.
After those picks, I'm mostly curious if we jump back into the first again with our stockpile of picks in 24'-25' and maybe bad contracts.

 

[AZviaNJ]

I’d be thrilled with any of Benson, Smith, Leonard, Dvorsky or Michkov at 6th. The only realistic option I’m not thrilled with is Reinbacher. But I’d talk myself off the ledge pretty quick. Should be a fun draft.

Agree that Leonard is BA’s type-player and a likely target at 6, but also likely a Montreal target at 5.

So does BA try to jump to 4 (which will be expensive) to get in front of the Habs? Then do the Sharks miss on Smith who they may be targeting.

Love everything about Benson other than his size and is that a no-go for BA? Fact that Button loves him, too is validation.

Dvorsky has a lot offer but is skating an issue? Is he Strome2.0?

Michkov intriguing for all the reasons discussed. High risk/reward…..that doesn’t seem to fit BA’s profile.

 

[rt]

In BA’s post-lottery media availability and on his post-lottery appearance on PHNX his comments about “players” that he would pick at 6th could not have been more obviously about Leonard. Clear to anyone who watched the U18s that he couldn’t have been taking about anyone else. Who else had a huge blocked shot in the clutch just before scoring the golden goal? Not possible to be talking about anyone else.

 

[Llewzaher]

Agree that Leonard is BA’s type-player and a likely target at 6, but also likely a Montreal target at 5.

So does BA try to jump to 4 (which will be expensive) to get in front of the Habs? Then do the Sharks miss on Smith who they may be targeting.

Love everything about Benson other than his size and is that a no-go for BA? Fact that Button loves him, too is validation.

Dvorsky has a lot offer but is skating an issue? Is he Strome2.0?

Michkov intriguing for all the reasons discussed. High risk/reward…..that doesn’t seem to fit BA’s profile.

I would honestly hate to trade up to 4 and then just grab Leonard . I dont want to lose the 12th.

If we did jump to 4th for Leonard .. Montreal picks Smith I MO.

I would be happy with Benson for sure .... I just dont think BA and crew consider him BPA .... If he is then grab him ..but I think if Benson is the target , you could trade down , pick up more assetts and still get him.

Strome ( uh yikes .. )

Michkov is intriguing ... I really think if he is there at 6 BA will try to trade down. But man if he is as good as projected he could be like Selanne was to the Jets ... Come over at 21 and just start the ELC..

 

[rt]

In BA’s post-lottery media availability and on his post-lottery appearance on PHNX his comments about “players” that he would pick at 6th could not have been more obviously about Leonard. Clear to anyone who watched the U18s that he couldn’t have been taking about anyone else. Who else had a huge blocked shot in the clutch just before scoring the golden goal? Not possible to be talking about anyone else.

9:30-11:15




16:20-17:45

 

[rt]

I would honestly hate to trade up to 4 and then just grab Leonard . I dont want to lose the 12th.

If we did jump to 4th for Leonard .. Montreal picks Smith I MO.

I would be happy with Benson for sure .... I just dont think BA and crew consider him BPA .... If he is then grab him ..but I think if Benson is the target , you could trade down , pick up more assetts and still get him.

Strome ( uh yikes .. )

Michkov is intriguing ... I really think if he is there at 6 BA will try to trade down. But man if he is as good as projected he could be like Selanne was to the Jets ... Come over at 21 and just start the ELC..

If it goes like this…

1. CHI - Bedard
2. ANA - Fantilli
3. CBJ - Carlsson
4. SJS - Smith
5. MTL - Leonard

And WSH offers 8th, 40th and Chesley for 6th and 72nd, I’d do it.

6. WSH - Michkov
7. PHI - Reinbacher
8. ARI - Benson

 

[BUX7PHX]

We also have a ton of picks in the 2024 and 2025 2nd rounds. I could see us looking at a team in the 45-60 range and selling a future 2nd plus a later round pick (5th or 6th round variety) to move back into this draft. Let's say we took Strbak at 38. Then we see that Jakub Dvorak is still available at 46. If our value is high enough on Dvorak (or a player of that ilk), I could very easily see us making that type of move as well.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

What you said was wrong lol. Benson and Geekie played together last year. Also, pay attention to what? You're not in an NHL draft room bud. You don't have a clue on who is taking who, just like everybody else that is speculating. I don't give a shit what you read on the internet or if Ryan Leonard went out for supper with Billy.

I'll be honest your arrogant know it all attitude makes you come off like a clown. You're one of these 40+ year old overweight neckbeards. You have probably never even stood up on skates before hahah.

The personal attack both distracts from and delegitimizes your otherwise fine points.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

What you said was wrong lol. Benson and Geekie played together last year. Also, pay attention to what? You're not in an NHL draft room bud. You don't have a clue on who is taking who, just like everybody else that is speculating. I don't give a shit what you read on the internet or if Ryan Leonard went out for supper with Billy.

I'll be honest your arrogant know it all attitude makes you come off like a clown. You're one of these 40+ year old overweight neckbeards. You have probably never even stood up on skates before hahah.

The personal attack both distracts from and delegitimizes your otherwise fine points.

As for Benson and Geekie, I saw snippets of Benson with Geekie. I hope that Benson's skills are translatable to the NHL. He's gonna get slammed around much as Keller was before he became a star and got that extra level of protection from the refs. I think that Geeklie is going to surprise. When he gets here one of the more vocal leaders, such as Fischer or Crouse, is going to give him holy shit in the locker room for every time he loafs. He's going to get a fire lit under his rump and will then play consistently at his best.

 

[Jagged Ice]

And WSH offers 8th, 40th and Chesley for 6th and 72nd, I’d do it.

6. WSH - Michkov
7. PHI - Reinbacher
8. ARI - Benson

Definitely. Then take Danielson or Honzek with 12. Then Defense becomes the priority for the 2nd rounder and next years 1st.

 

[lanky]

I'm not in favour of drafting for positional need but I do put a big emphasis on positional value in my rankings.

C and RD are highly valuable.
LD and LW are low value.
RW sits in the middle.
I think this way regardless of what a roster looks like or what a prospect pool looks like.

I don't want to come away from the 1st round with two LWs (Benson and Honzek). I'd be really excited with getting a LW and a C or a LW and a RD. I'd be most excited about getting a C and a RD.

Gimme
Reinbacher and Danielson or
Dvorsky and Willander
and I'll be partying.