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

[Jamieh]

Tampas top 6 was around the same size, if not a bit smaller than what I listed, and they won back to back cups. You're saying we cant draft Benson, because then our top 6 will be too small, which I think is stupid logic.


Ok, on the same token, I can say that Cooley and Benson play a physical chippy brand of hockey, but aren't that big? What is your point? We were arguing based on height only, because apparently you need mainly 6'0+ guys in the top 6 once you get to the playoffs.

I said no such thing. My only comment was that your top 6 group is small, and they are.

Edit: but in reality I also will not assume a few guys without much or any NHL experience are fairly compared to some of the best in the world like Point and Kucherov

 

[Half Clapper]

I said no such thing. My only comment was that your top 6 group is small, and they are.

Edit: but in reality I also will not assume a few guys without much or any NHL experience are fairly compared to some of the best in the world like Point and Kucherov

Benson is going to be at that level. He is being overlooked because of a deep draft and his size. Brayden Point actually kind of reminds me of Benson. Played in the Western, smaller guy, got overlooked due to being small, and dominated in the dub just like Benson.
If Benson can hack it in the most physical Jr league in the world, than I have no concern for him in the show, just like Point did before him.

 

[Jamieh]

Benson is going to be at that level. He is being overlooked because of a deep draft and his size. Brayden Point actually kind of reminds me of Benson. Played in the Western, smaller guy, got overlooked due to being small, and dominated in the dub just like Benson.
If Benson can hack it in the most physical Jr league in the world, than I have no concern for him in the show, just like Point did before him.

Then he will prove it and your top 6 will still be small. Only growth spurts can change that.

 

[Half Clapper]

Then he will prove it and your top 6 will still be small. Only growth spurts can change that.

That is not even a guaranteed top 6. Too make you happy, I'll switch it up, because realistically you would run a top 9. There is really no such thing as a top 6 right now in todays NHL. You run three lines in the ploffs.
Keller 5'10 - Cooley 5'11 - Guenther 6'2
Benson 5'10 - Geekie 6'4 - Wood 6'4
Crouse 6'4 - Hayton 6'1 - Macelli 5'11

That honestly could be an elite top 9, with a mix of great size and elite skill.

 

[rt]

I feel like Dvorsky is a pick that we can all get behind. No one's first choice but no one's last choice.

If it's anyone else F40 will be bickering.

I think we’d all be pumped on Michkov or Leonard. I think Benson would be 50/50. Dvorsky is a bit of a layup. But not as underwhelming as Reinbacher.

I obviously want Benson. But I have more hope
we pick him at 12th than 6th. And I think the odds are low at 12th.

Also, I don’t argue with Bob McKenzie. So I have no hopes hanging on Michkov.

That leaves me with three realistic options; Leonard, Dvorsky and Reinbacher. If we pick Leonard, I’m jumping up and down hooping and hollering. If we pick Dvorsky, I’m quietly smiling and nodding and quickly selling myself on it. If it’s Reinbacher, I’m audibly angry at first. Then slowly accepting over the course of time until pick 12, when we nab some kid I love, and I forgive the Reinbacher thing.

Unfortunately for me, I think Montreal is picking Leonard and I think we’re taking Reinbacher over Dvorsky. So I think I’m stuck with my least favorite option. Hopefully we can get Benson at 12th in that case.

I do think everyone here would be pumped on Rinbacher and Benson as a pair.

 

[Half Clapper]

I think we’d all be pumped on Michkov or Leonard. I think Benson would be 50/50. Dvorsky is a bit of a layup. But not as underwhelming as Reinbacher.

I obviously want Benson. But I have more hope
we pick him at 12th than 6th. And I think the odds are low at 12th.

Also, I don’t argue with Bob McKenzie. So I have no hopes hanging on Michkov.

That leaves me with three realistic options; Leonard, Dvorsky and Reinbacher. If we pick Leonard, I’m jumping up and down hooping and hollering. If we pick Dvorsky, I’m quietly smiling and nodding and quickly selling myself on it. If it’s Reinbacher, I’m audibly angry at first. Then slowly accepting over the course of time until pick 12, when we nab some kid I love, and I forgive the Reinbacher thing.

Unfortunately for me, I think Montreal is picking Leonard and I think we’re taking Reinbacher over Dvorsky. So I think I’m stuck with my least favorite option. Hopefully we can get Benson at 12th in that case.

I do think everyone here would be pumped on Rinbacher and Benson as a pair.

Benson will not fall to 12. No way in hell. I think Philly is taking him #7. He is exactly the kind of player Danny Briere loves. I do think this team will take Leonard, which is really going to piss me off. He is a decent player, but he will not be an elite NHL player imo. He will be a supporting type guy.

My prediction
1. Bedard
2. Fantilli
3. Carlsson
4. Michkov
5. Smith
6. Leonard
7. Benson
8. Reinbacher
9. Dvorsky
10. Moore
11. Honzek
12. Willander
13. Barlow
14. Danielson
15. Sandin-Pellika

EDIT: List Updated

 

[rt]

Draft for talent. Figure out size later.



Feels like the safe pick for sure. Limited offensive ceiling and not much flash. Reinbacher is the same, I’d say almost underwhelming especially with a high pick.

Benson will not fall to 12. No way in hell. I think Philly is taking him #7. He is exactly the kind of player Danny Briere loves. I do think this team will take Leonard, which is really going to piss me off. He is a decent player, but he will not be an elite NHL player imo. He will be a supporting type guy.

My prediction
1. Bedard
2. Fantilli
3. Carlsson
4. Michkov
5. Smith
6. Leonard
7. Benson
8. Reinbacher
9. Dvorsky
10. Sandin-Pellika

It’s so rare for a US18 player to hit 50 goals. It’s really an amazing feat.

 

[Half Clapper]

It’s so rare for a US18 player to hit 50 goals. It’s really an amazing feat.

What do you think of me projecting Leonard and Willander? I feel like a D-man is going to be taken with one of our two 1sts.

 

[Arizonatah Coyetis]

According to eliteprospects.com, the average height by team for the 2022-23 season was 6'1".

Our F lineup with Benson in it would also be at a 6'1" average height based on the numbers @Yotes4Cup provided, including Cooley being only 5'10" and not the clarified 5'11". Unless I'm missing something else, that's not small, it's average. Of course, line combinations do make a difference, but some players do play bigger than they are. Add the D and we could hit an average of 6'2" as a team, which makes us one of the bigger teams in the league, at least overall.

Edit: EliteProspects has the Coyotes as the 2nd biggest team in the league last year by avg. height, 7th in the league by avg. weight. That surprised me.

 

[Sinurgy]

I know there's still a ton of potential and I'm still excited at the possibilities but this quote from the recent McKenzie article is just so Yotes.

Really impressive group after Bedard,” said one NHL team head scout. “It’s not just the Bedard Draft; there’s a Big Five, and if you’re picking in the top five, you’re not getting a good prospect, you’re getting a very good, maybe even great, one.

Luckily the Yotes went on that "culture building" winning streak after the all-star break.

To be fair later in the article there is talk of a "super six" (Dvorsky) so there is that.

“Big Five?” another scout chimed. “I think it could very well be [a Super Six] with Dvorsky in that group

 

[rt]

I know there's still a ton of potential and I'm still excited at the possibilities but this quote from the recent McKenzie article is just so Yotes.

Luckily the Yotes went on that "culture building" winning streak after the all-star break.

To be fair later in the article there is talk of a "super six" (Dvorsky) so there is that.

I don’t like Smith a whole lot more than Leonard. Like barely. And I like Benson better than both.

 

[Llewzaher]

Dvorsky just rings the D version of Reinbacher..
however I am biased to Leonard and Benson

we just need someone to pick Michkov to top 5

 

[che]

I would be thrilled with Dvorsky if Michkov is off the board. For me Dvorsky is a future star. He has dominated at every level against his peers since moving to Sweden at 9y old.

He is a professional through and through and his coaches in Sweden all seem to think this is a very special player.

He will most likely play important minutes in Oskarshamn next season.

 

[lanky]

I think we’d all be pumped on Michkov or Leonard.

Me and @Yotes4Cup have Leonard as our last choice among likely candidates. @The Feckless Puck has Michkov as worst case scenario. You and @Llewzaher and others don't want Reinbacher. I think Dvorsky is the peace maker.

 

[Jakey53]

I think we’d all be pumped on Michkov or Leonard. I think Benson would be 50/50. Dvorsky is a bit of a layup. But not as underwhelming as Reinbacher.

I obviously want Benson. But I have more hope
we pick him at 12th than 6th. And I think the odds are low at 12th.

Also, I don’t argue with Bob McKenzie. So I have no hopes hanging on Michkov.

That leaves me with three realistic options; Leonard, Dvorsky and Reinbacher. If we pick Leonard, I’m jumping up and down hooping and hollering. If we pick Dvorsky, I’m quietly smiling and nodding and quickly selling myself on it. If it’s Reinbacher, I’m audibly angry at first. Then slowly accepting over the course of time until pick 12, when we nab some kid I love, and I forgive the Reinbacher thing.

Unfortunately for me, I think Montreal is picking Leonard and I think we’re taking Reinbacher over Dvorsky. So I think I’m stuck with my least favorite option. Hopefully we can get Benson at 12th in that case.

I do think everyone here would be pumped on Rinbacher and Benson as a pair.

Much of the controversy with Michkov could be all BS. I think one of the main reasons his agent is setting up interviews is to prove those rumors wrong. Reinbacher at six would be a big mistake in my eyes. If Michkov is there you have to take him, and you know how much I don't care for Russians. He has been talked about in the same breath as Bedard and Bedard is so much better than anyone else.

 

[Prestigeworldwide]

If we go with Dvorsky at 6, lets be sure to get Honzek at 12, Strbak at 38 and Gajan at 70. I think if you draft 4 Slovaks the fifth ones free.
Oddly, I do like all those players.

 

[Jakey53]

I would be thrilled with Dvorsky if Michkov is off the board. For me Dvorsky is a future star. He has dominated at every level against his peers since moving to Sweden at 9y old.

He is a professional through and through and his coaches in Sweden all seem to think this is a very special player.

He will most likely play important minutes in Oskarshamn next season.

I have watched a few clips of Leonard, Smith and Michkov but not Dvorsky. Maybe I should. I like his size, but how is his skating?

 

[hbk]

One item dawned on me. If you go back and read al the draft/scout articles and recall the interviews w BA on the draft there is tons of focus on learning about the prospect. I would say after the Mitchell disaster that this became even more emphasized. It’s not that we think he’s a bad dude my read on the situation is our scouts don’t have enough or any information on Michkov to provide reassurance on the character. If that can’t be filled sufficiently during the interview in Nashville then it sounds like we will go with someone we like and know better. Not sure i like it but that’s my take after Bobby Mac’s PHNX interview

 

[rt]

If we go with Dvorsky at 6, lets be sure to get Honzek at 12, Strbak at 38 and Gajan at 70. I think if you draft 4 Slovaks the fifth ones free.
Oddly, I do like all those players.

That’s the funny thing. As stupid as it is, that would be a great draft and all of those are the approximate locations of where they’ll go.

One item dawned on me. If you go back and read al the draft/scout articles and recall the interviews w BA on the draft there is tons of focus on learning about the prospect. I would say after the Mitchell disaster that this became even more emphasized. It’s not that we think he’s a bad dude my read on the situation is our scouts don’t have enough or any information on Michkov to provide reassurance on the character. If that can’t be filled sufficiently during the interview in Nashville then it sounds like we will go with someone we like and know better. Not sure i like it but that’s my take after Bobby Mac’s PHNX interview

I don’t think Michkov is happening for us. Bobby Margarita don’t miss.

 

[lanky]

I have watched a few clips of Leonard, Smith and Michkov but not Dvorsky. Maybe I should. I like his size, but how is his skating.

His skating is ok. Not as fast as Leonard but maybe on par with Smith and Michkov.

Dvorsky has a very shifty, East-West style when he's carrying the puck and sometimes it looks like he's going to topple himself over. His agility needs some work, but he's young and I'm sure that will come.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Me and @Yotes4Cup have Leonard as our last choice among likely candidates. @The Feckless Puck has Michkov as worst case scenario. You and @Llewzaher and others don't want Reinbacher. I think Dvorsky is the peace maker.

There's a difference between not wanting Michkov at 6 and thinking Michkov "as worst case scenario." Worst case scenario for me, honestly, is probably Reinbacher, but even then I can see a case why we'd want him. But really any defenseman in a field of forwards that is this deep and full of potential would be a mistake to me.

His skating is ok. Not as fast as Leonard but maybe on par with Smith and Michkov.

Dvorsky has a very shifty, East-West style when he's carrying the puck and sometimes it looks like he's going to topple himself over. His agility needs some work, but he's young and I'm sure that will come.

Remember when we picked Dylan Strome? At the time the pundit consensus was that Strome was the second coming of Joe Thornton if he could just figure out his skating.

Skating issues concern me irrationally, is what I'm saying.

 

[Jakey53]

One item dawned on me. If you go back and read al the draft/scout articles and recall the interviews w BA on the draft there is tons of focus on learning about the prospect. I would say after the Mitchell disaster that this became even more emphasized. It’s not that we think he’s a bad dude my read on the situation is our scouts don’t have enough or any information on Michkov to provide reassurance on the character. If that can’t be filled sufficiently during the interview in Nashville then it sounds like we will go with someone we like and know better. Not sure i like it but that’s my take after Bobby Mac’s PHNX interview

I agree. It will be an interesting draft. I wish we were top 5.

 

[rt]

1. CHI-Befard
2. ANA-Fantilli
3. CBJ-Carlsson
4. SJS-Smith
5. MTL-Leonard
6. WSH-Michkov**
7. PHI-Reinbacher
8. ARI-Dvorsky**

**ARI trades 6th to WSH for 8th, Alexander Alexeyev, and Vincent Iorio.

 

[hbk]

I agree. It will be an interesting draft. I wish we were top 5.

I'm okay with 6. I have Smith higher but I don't really like him as a player per se. Dvorsky I much much prefer (Smith is ranked higher because he has the potential to be a top line skilled 1C whereas Dvorsky projects as top 2C with 1C potential). I was pretty excited to hear McKenzie refer to him as part of the "Super 6". Based on what I saw at the U18's I don't disagree. That's why he is ranked as high as he is on my list.

 

[Mosby]

2015 NHL draft rankings

Dylan Strome 6’3”
Mitch Marner 5’11”

We still talking about height?