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

[Vinny Boombatz]

With the way that BA talks about size and how hard it is to play in the Cup playoffs without it, I'm thinking that they will go w/the heavier players.

I mean last draft we went Cooley (plays big - 6'2'' wingspan), Geekie 6'4'' and Lamoureux 6'7''...chances are the scouting staff likes em big.

The only sub 6 footer they took last draft other than Cooley was Langlois

Otherwise
Cooley 5'10''
Geekie 6'4''
Lamoureaux 6'7''
Duda 6'1''
Lutz 6'2''
Matikka 6'3''
Langlois 5'11''
Morden 6'4''
Szuber 6'3''
Zlnka 6'0''

This was the first draft w/this group, but it sure seems that the directive is big...or it could be a big coincidence that the players selected just happened to be on the taller side. We'll find out after this draft which way the organization is leaning.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

I recall somewhere, a while back that BA was concerned about having too many players maturing at the same time. He didn't want too many players from any one draft. He wanted the players to make the team in waves, not all at once.

Two first round draft choices in this draft are enough. if we trade with Washington, it might be for a 1st rounder next year. I would prefer that we sit tight and take one of the top 6 players, and then take BPA at 12.

I think that @lanky is on to something, factoring position into BPA evaluation. Otherwise I could see a team with 3 great LW and no RW or centers, drafting just straight BPA regardless of position.

 

[TheLegend]

Coming up in less than 30 minutes...

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Did we ever have any good drafts under Tim Bernhardt?

 

[moosemeister]

Did we ever have any good drafts under Tim Bernhardt?

He was cheeks at drafting.

 

[Jakey53]

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.

Smoke screen? This time of year I take whatever any GM says with a grain of salt.

 

[PHX FireBirds18]

I’m not sure how I feel about Benson. His puck retrieval can be ugly but highly effective kind of like a Garland and Tanev. But at the same time it can be buttery smooth and abrasive like Marchand . His skating isn’t pretty but it seems to work to his advantage . He’s able to manipulate the defense with his footwork and quickness rather than top end speed kind of like a point guard. His playmaking is just elite as well. The way he gently lays passes into a soft area so it’s easy for his teammates to get off good shots. His vision around the net and finding those lanes you can’t see from above. We all know Bedard is mini Matthew’s, but are we missing out on Mini Forsberg if we don’t take him at 6? Just too many good options at that spot. I would be elated if we can grab at 6 and 12 two of Michkov/Leonard + ASP/Danielson/Benson.

 

[JasonDemersWasOkay]

Tim Bernhardt is a useful guest because we can all listen to his opinions and philosophies and then hope that the current regime does the exact opposite!

 

[Schemp]

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

What about, no Washington offer, if StL offers their 3 1sts?

 

[Schemp]

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.

Not me. I want 2 right handed forwards, but I would be okay with Benson.
I will be partying anyways, for one reason or another (hope it's not condolences for the franchise I choose to follow).

 

[rt]

With the way that BA talks about size and how hard it is to play in the Cup playoffs without it, I'm thinking that they will go w/the heavier players.

I mean last draft we went Cooley (plays big - 6'2'' wingspan), Geekie 6'4'' and Lamoureux 6'7''...chances are the scouting staff likes em big.

The only sub 6 footer they took last draft other than Cooley was Langlois

Otherwise
Cooley 5'10''
Geekie 6'4''
Lamoureaux 6'7''
Duda 6'1''
Lutz 6'2''
Matikka 6'3''
Langlois 5'11''
Morden 6'4''
Szuber 6'3''
Zlnka 6'0''

This was the first draft w/this group, but it sure seems that the directive is big...or it could be a big coincidence that the players selected just happened to be on the taller side. We'll find out after this draft which way the organization is leaning.

Wasn’t Cooley 5’11 at the combine?

Smoke screen? This time of year I take whatever any GM says with a grain of salt.

If you watch those videos you won’t think this. BA isn’t an actor. I added timestamps. Take a look.

 

[Prestigeworldwide]

Wasn’t Cooley 5’11 at the combine?

5-foot-10.5, 180 pounds

 

[rt]

He’ll probably show up for his rookie season at 5’11 190-195, then. That’s average size for the league.

 

[Prestigeworldwide]

Hopefully he doesn't eat to much Chipotle. I was always impressed by his strength.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Tim Bernhardt is a useful guest because we can all listen to his opinions and philosophies and then hope that the current regime does the exact opposite!

Not so sure about that...this was by far the least amount of info on the draft I've listened to.

The only thing interesting was the fact that they wanted the kids to like the organization...that was the end of the helpful content he provided.

 

[lanky]

My favourite scout. Quality analysis and you don't have to read a word.



I think we're picking Michkov.

 

[rt]

Keller for Snuggerud and 10th

1. CHI - Bedard
2. ANA - Fantilli
3. CBJ - Carlsson
4. SJS - Smith
5. MTL - Leonard
6. ARI - Michkov
7. PHI - Reinbacher
8. WSH - Benson
9. DET - Dvorsky
10. ARI - Willander
11. VAN - Sandin-Pellikka
12. ARI - Moore

 

[rt]

Now we’ve got an elite talent in Michkov who’s 1st overal caliber to go with Cooley, who’s similarly highly regarded. We’ve got a couple of top end Gopher in Snuggerud and Moore to go with. And we add a big top end RD in Willander to bolster that D corps featuring Moser, Valimaki, Duda, Soderstrom and Lamoureux.

 

[Schemp]

Keller for Snuggerud and 10th

1. CHI - Bedard
2. ANA - Fantilli
3. CBJ - Carlsson
4. SJS - Smith
5. MTL - Leonard
6. ARI - Michkov
7. PHI - Reinbacher
8. WSH - Benson
9. DET - Dvorsky
10. ARI - Willander
11. VAN - Sandin-Pellikka
12. ARI - Moore

I'm greedy, I want more, even if it's using the 38th to move up to 29th (rather throw in Fischer and keep the 38th).

 

[zerekstar]

I think Reinbacher is better then we give him credit for. There are some great forwards to be sure and it does seem the right time to grab a few but if Reinbacher is BPA at our pick, I don't think we will be disappointed down the road if we end up taking him.
The Oilers always picked the heavy scoring forward and to this day still have not won a thing. I do not want to follow their model of team building.

 

[Grimes]

I think Reinbacher is better then we give him credit for. There are some great forwards to be sure and it does seem the right time to grab a few but if Reinbacher is BPA at our pick, I don't think we will be disappointed down the road if we end up taking him.
The Oilers always picked the heavy scoring forward and to this day still have not won a thing. I do not want to follow their model of team building.

This is a good point. I'm just not convinced he is BPA at 6. In our forum draft I voted for him at 9th and even then felt like I was reaching a touch.

But the point about the Oilers is a good one. Toronto is similar where they really only have one top guy that's home grown.

I know we all say we should wait to draft defensemen next year but what if we are dead last or win the lotto? We would be foolish to pass on Celebrini or Eiserman.

So if Leonard is gone and we are looking Benson/Reinbacher/Dvorsky/Michkov and we take Reinbacher I'm slowly coming around to not making a scene in front of everyone.

 

[Llewzaher]

I think Reinbacher is better then we give him credit for. There are some great forwards to be sure and it does seem the right time to grab a few but if Reinbacher is BPA at our pick, I don't think we will be disappointed down the road if we end up taking him.
The Oilers always picked the heavy scoring forward and to this day still have not won a thing. I do not want to follow their model of team building.

I think if at 12 Reinbacher is there , maybe he (could) be BPA..? I don’t see him as BPA at 6 … I think a lot of mocks has us picking him at 6 because people think we are drafting by need.

If for some reason BA picks Reinbacher at 6 ( oh boy ) , then I wonder if he grabs Perrault at 12? Or trades up from 12 to grab Benson

this is a real interesting draft.

Honestly , as mentioned above, just grab Michkov

EDIT.. I am thinking we don’t pick Renbacher at 6 , I think after the failed TED, they will want to add someone That makes the fans excited.. just my opinion

 

[TheLegend]

Friedman mentions on his 32 thoughts that Michkov has been selectively choosing which team reps he meets and talks to.

Speculation is Michkov only wants to sign with certain franchises.

 

[rt]

Friedman mentions on his 32 thoughts that Michkov has been selectively choosing which team reps he meets and talks to.

Speculation is Michkov only wants to sign with certain franchises.

This is precisely the issue I have had. Not the player, not the politics, not the contract. It’s us that worries me, not him. I don’t want a prospect that’s immediately disappointed and update if we draft him.

I think if at 12 Reinbacher is there , maybe he (could) be BPA..? I don’t see him as BPA at 6 … I think a lot of mocks has us picking him at 6 because people think we are drafting by need.

If for some reason BA picks Reinbacher at 6 ( oh boy ) , then I wonder if he grabs Perrault at 12? Or trades up from 12 to grab Benson

this is a real interesting draft.

Honestly , as mentioned above, just grab Michkov

EDIT.. I am thinking we don’t pick Renbacher at 6 , I think after the failed TED, they will want to add someone That makes the fans excited.. just my opinion

I’d rather “reach” for Willander or ASP at 12th than reach for Reinbacher at 6th. The opportunity cost is lower.

 

[wbwing]

Makes it easy then. Just grab Benson in that spot!