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

[Prestigeworldwide]

Will Smith (not the Chris Rock hater) out of the US dev team is another kid to watch. Averaging 2 points a game right now for US Dev team...If we get another mid/early round pick for Chyc or Ghost.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Will Smith (not the Chris Rock hater) out of the US dev team is another kid to watch. Averaging 2 points a game right now for US Dev team...If we get another mid/early round pick for Chyc or Ghost.

I agree...he looks fantastic.

 

[Dead Coyote]

You know you're posting on the Coyotes forum? Just checking.

Honestly, it's strange to think about, because going into this draft I was Bedard or bust. Bedard looks absolutely incredible, and I have him at the same level, if not higher than, McDavid when I watched him in his draft year for Erie. Bedard is doing it all without guys like Debrincat or Strome, that Erie team was stacked. That second year they had Burakovsky, Pelech, Gaunce, Fox, Brown. Then the 3rd year they had Debrincat and Strome along with Baptiste and Raddysh. I hated that team with a passion but damn were they good.

Bedard is doing the same thing while younger and with a much worse supporting cast.

Anyways, I didn't mean to go off on a tangent about how good Bedard is, it just happens because he's SO GOOD and I just can't stop talking about him. What I was PLANNING on saying, is that even with how good Bedard is, and how much I want him, there are a solid 2-5 other players who have FRANCHISE potential in this draft, same as Bedard. Bedard (this statement should be taken with a massive grain of salt) could be the best player since Gretzky we've seen. McDavid, if he stays on this course or gets better (god forbid, could you imagine that McDavid hasn't even hit his prime yet?) could definitely be 3rd or possibly even 2nd best player all time, lots of stuff needs to happen to get there, but it's a possibility. ANYWAYS ANYWAYS, *ahem* I could definitely see multiple of these guys hitting the HoF and there's a few I think could even break records, even drafting 10th overall you're going to be getting a FANTASTIC player, so if we aren't moving out of the top 5 well, I don't think we'll be unhappy with the result. We might even be happier than some other teams ahead of us for the first couple of years, development is a funny thing.

I hated the Strome pick when it was made, and I wanted Marner real bad (also f*** the Oilers for depriving us of McEichel) but...this draft is just different. I would easily take most of the current top 10 over the Strome/Marner/Hanifin subset of the top 5 in 2015. Eichel is hard to say, because I don't think we've seen his true potential yet. But as it is right now? Yeah, I'd take a couple guys in this draft over him too.

 

[PHX FireBirds18]

At this pace he might challenge Bedard for 1st overall.

The way he physically imposes himself on the game makes it seem like he’s so much bigger. Especially against college competition. Was shocked to see him listed at 6’2. I feel like I’m watching Malkin but he’s attacking the net like Hall and playing defense like Couturier… You see him get the puck and you can tell there’s an urgency to do something with it. Even at the pro level you don’t always sense that. Picked a good year to get back into the scouting hobby. The talent has grown so much lately fee like I’ve been out of the game for decades.

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

 

[Jagged Ice]

We don't get nice things but can we have the next best thing in Adam Fantilli?

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

We don't get nice things but can we have the next best thing in Adam Fantilli?

A top 3 or 4 would do wonders for the organization. They need top end talent, but as we know most Cup teams get talent from outside the 1st round. Many of those late firsts and honorable mentions in Chris’ rankings are ahead of other years. Another 23 first for Chychrun would be huge, even if it’s late.

 

[AZviaNJ]

We don't get nice things but can we have the next best thing in Adam Fantilli?

Fantilli/ Carlsson fit the big forward profile BA covets. If we walk away from the draft with one of those 2 we’ll be in great shape.

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

Good lord

 

[Bonsai Tree]

So when does "damaged goods" see some action again??

A top 3 or 4 would do wonders for the organization. They need top end talent, but as we know most Cup teams get talent from outside the 1st round. Many of those late firsts and honorable mentions in Chris’ rankings are ahead of other years. Another 23 first for Chychrun would be huge, even if it’s late.

 

[rt]

Good lord

So Carlsson is putting up record breaking DY numbers in the SHL, Fantilli is putting up record breaking DY numbers in the NCAA, Michkov is putting up record breaking MHL/VHL numbers and Bedard is Bedard. This is a draft with FOUR 1st overall picks.

So….who we taking 5th? Yager, Dvorsky or Wood?

 

[rt]

We don't get nice things but can we have the next best thing in Adam Fantilli?

We’ll probably finish 29th and have a team behind us win one of the lotteries. We’ll pick Matthew Wood 5th. We get lucky and the Chychrun pick plus a future 2nd allows us to move up and nets us Lukas Dragicevic in the early teens. Then we trade up for Michael Hrabal in the late 20s.

 

[Jagged Ice]

We’ll probably finish 29th and have a team behind us win one of the lotteries. We’ll pick Matthew Wood 5th. We get lucky and the Chychrun pick plus a future 2nd allows us to move up and nets us Lukas Dragicevic in the early teens. Then we trade up for Michael Hrabal in the late 20s.

You're taking Wood over Yager? Wood has good size but I'm not as familiar with Wood's game as I am with Yager.
Welcome back btw.

 

[rt]

You're taking Wood over Yager? Wood has good size but I'm not as familiar with Wood's game as I am with Yager.
Welcome back btw.

Me? I love Yager. I’m his #1 fan, honestly. Nobody likes him more than me.

I think BA is gonna fall in love with Wood. I think any coyotes fan might if they read this article:

"I was on the rise and so is this program": Why UConn is the right place for star prospect Matthew Wood

Six games into his freshman year, Matthew Wood is demonstrating what kind of difference elite talent makes for the team.

www.theuconnblog.com

It’s about UConn but could easily be about us.

Cliff's Notes:

When Matthew Wood committed to UConn in August 2020, he’d never stepped foot on the campus. In fact, he’d barely even seen pictures of it.

Wood didn’t even know what the hockey facility looked like until he walked into it for the first time after he moved in for the fall semester. In terms of facilities, Wood only had one requirement.

“As long as there’s a rink, as long as I can skate, I didn’t really care what it looked like,” he said.

...

Last August, Cavanaugh and then-associate head coach Joe Pereira went out to Nanaimo, British Columbia for a home visit when they could’ve continued to recruit him remotely. That made a lasting impact on Wood.

“That’s really when I was like, ‘Wow, I really respect these people and want to play for them,” he said.

...

Had he gone the major junior route, he would’ve had a chance to play alongside Connor Bedard, which certainly would’ve helped increase his exposure to NHL teams since Bedard is considered the top 2023 NHL Draft prospect. Instead, Wood wanted to forge his own way.

...

Wood didn’t get caught up in the flashiness or history of some programs. When it came to his own story, Wood said he felt UConn was the right place for him.

“I didn’t really try and focus on my decision on the facilities as much as how I’m going to be used and how I’m going to develop,” Wood said. “At the end of the day, it’s not really about where you’re playing, it’s about like who you’re playing with.”

...

What’s most impressive about Wood’s early success is that he’s still just 17 years old and won’t turn 18 until Feb. 6, making him the youngest player in college hockey.

Some of his fellow freshmen are four years older than him and the closest teammate to him age-wise is Arsenii Sergeev, who’s still 26 months his senior.

Originally, the plan was for Wood to come to Storrs in the fall of 2023 once he finished high school. But then he lit up the British Columbia Hockey League — one of the top junior leagues in North America — for a league-best 45 goals and 85 points in 46 games with the Victoria Grizzlies. There was no sense in keeping him there another year.

...

It’d be easy to draw the conclusion that the new rink directly helped UConn land Wood, but he downplayed that idea.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, they’re getting a new rink, I should come here,’” he said.

“Obviously the new rink is super amazing and we’re super fortunate to have it but I don’t really know how much it played into me coming here.”

...

The new arena is a symbol of the Huskies’ growth. Soon, they’ll have a facility on par with their league rivals — just as they’re becoming equals on the ice with the rest of the league.

Wood wants to be part of that story.

“I felt like I was on the rise and so is this program,” he said. “We’re finally meeting when we’re both coming to where we need to be.”

 

[Dead Coyote]

More draft information!

Sam Honzek, playing in the WHL now for the Giants, is an exceedingly large specimen who plays like a doped out bull on steroids. Sort of a PWF type who can make plays and be complimentary. He's heating up lately and in his last 2 games has 5 points 1+4. He's a real big man, I believe 6'3 180, but for a big man his skating is quite good. And when he gets going, there's no stopping him. He has an explosive stride and can make it through the center past 2 guys with his size. He engages physically and isn't afraid of contact, and his hands in tight are pretty good. His skating is really where he shines though, because it's rare to find someone so big with such speed and acceleration and agility. Currently 9th in scoring and 6th for draft eligible players in the WHL.

Charlie Stramel, currently in the NTDP for Wisconsin, same as above, big PWF with shockingly similar traits. Stramel is better without the puck, as forechecking and defensive machine who does everything pretty well. There are some questions about his offensive upside, but he's extremely young, only 2 months after draft eligibility for 2023. He's also playing on a pretty shitty team. Only 2 points in 8 games right now, but he's one of very very few players to play in the WJC U18 and U20 in the same year before their draft. Last one was Matthews. He does potentially project as a center as well, so although he's a bit of a project offensively he could go high.

Lukas Dragicevic, currently in the WHL for Tri City, is a pretty big RHD who, besides having possibly the coolest name in the draft, is either really good, or really bad, depending on who you listen to. Offensively, I think everyone will agree that this kid is nuts. His shot is fantastic, and he picks his moments well. He can run a PP well, and is also lethal on it when he has room to walk up and snipe one. He isn't afraid of contact and hits hard too, and he's 6'2 to boot. Funnily, there's a bunch of scouts and pros who think his defense is his weakest game, and he was left off the Hlinka roster for Canada because of that, along with a relatively low rating by CS draft wise. And he definitely has had some moments where he's made some brain dead plays. But overall I think his defense is somewhere in between decent - good, he has good hockey IQ and good tools, but can be a little inconsistent. Offensively though, he's a stud. Currently sitting 18th in scoring in the WHL and 9th for 2023 draft eligibles, as well as 1st for Defenseman overall. If he puts all his tools together and continues to play like this he could very well be the first D-man who hears their name at the draft.

 

[rt]

More draft information!

Sam Honzek, playing in the WHL now for the Giants, is an exceedingly large specimen who plays like a doped out bull on steroids. Sort of a PWF type who can make plays and be complimentary. He's heating up lately and in his last 2 games has 5 points 1+4. He's a real big man, I believe 6'3 180, but for a big man his skating is quite good. And when he gets going, there's no stopping him. He has an explosive stride and can make it through the center past 2 guys with his size. He engages physically and isn't afraid of contact, and his hands in tight are pretty good. His skating is really where he shines though, because it's rare to find someone so big with such speed and acceleration and agility. Currently 9th in scoring and 6th for draft eligible players in the WHL.

Charlie Stramel, currently in the NTDP for Wisconsin, same as above, big PWF with shockingly similar traits. Stramel is better without the puck, as forechecking and defensive machine who does everything pretty well. There are some questions about his offensive upside, but he's extremely young, only 2 months after draft eligibility for 2023. He's also playing on a pretty shitty team. Only 2 points in 8 games right now, but he's one of very very few players to play in the WJC U18 and U20 in the same year before their draft. Last one was Matthews. He does potentially project as a center as well, so although he's a bit of a project offensively he could go high.

Lukas Dragicevic, currently in the WHL for Tri City, is a pretty big RHD who, besides having possibly the coolest name in the draft, is either really good, or really bad, depending on who you listen to. Offensively, I think everyone will agree that this kid is nuts. His shot is fantastic, and he picks his moments well. He can run a PP well, and is also lethal on it when he has room to walk up and snipe one. He isn't afraid of contact and hits hard too, and he's 6'2 to boot. Funnily, there's a bunch of scouts and pros who think his defense is his weakest game, and he was left off the Hlinka roster for Canada because of that, along with a relatively low rating by CS draft wise. And he definitely has had some moments where he's made some brain dead plays. But overall I think his defense is somewhere in between decent - good, he has good hockey IQ and good tools, but can be a little inconsistent. Offensively though, he's a stud. Currently sitting 18th in scoring in the WHL and 9th for 2023 draft eligibles, as well as 1st for Defenseman overall. If he puts all his tools together and continues to play like this he could very well be the first D-man who hears their name at the draft.

I agree on Dragicevic. He’s extremely underrated, IMO. I was more impressed with him than Cam Allen when I watched both last season. Small sample but I can’t believe how often I see Dragicevic left out of the 1st. I’m a fan and I don’t get the criticisms. Maybe I caught him on the right nights. But I just haven’t seen the flaws people knock him for.

I haven’t seen Stramel this year either. But I really liked the big-rig last season. I’m a huge Leonard fan, though. Stramel played mostly with the 18s last year. And Leonard with the 17s. Leonard was my favorite player on the 17s by a mile.

 

[Grimes]

We don't get nice things but can we have the next best thing in Adam Fantilli?

Watching TOR I'm not sure this is a bad thing

So Carlsson is putting up record breaking DY numbers in the SHL, Fantilli is putting up record breaking DY numbers in the NCAA, Michkov is putting up record breaking MHL/VHL numbers and Bedard is Bedard. This is a draft with FOUR 1st overall picks.

So….who we taking 5th? Yager, Dvorsky or Wood?

DVO baby

 

[Dead Coyote]

If we take Dvorsky I can keep my name the same and not have to think about it, or just change the number, so I hope we draft him (and as long as I'm hoping here, I hope we draft Bedard and Fantilli while we're at it)

 

[Dead Coyote]

I agree on Dragicevic. He’s extremely underrated, IMO. I was more impressed with him than Cam Allen when I watched both last season. Small sample but I can’t believe how often I see Dragicevic left out of the 1st. I’m a fan and I don’t get the criticisms. Maybe I caught him on the right nights. But I just haven’t seen the flaws people knock him for.

I haven’t seen Stramel this year either. But I really liked the big-rig last season. I’m a huge Leonard fan, though. Stramel played mostly with the 18s last year. And Leonard with the 17s. Leonard was my favorite player on the 17s by a mile.

He was mostly bad in the World Juniors, but everyone was bad there, with the exception of Bedard, maybe. However this year I think a lot of the people who haven't seen him, or wrote him off last year will change their minds at this years WJC. I don't see any reason why he won't get a better opportunity this time, at least.

Fun fact: Dragicevic currently has a better PPG and more points than Yager.

Edit: Have to remember that Stramel was also 17 and had "just" turned 17 when he played with most of the WJC. He was playing against and with 2022 draft eligibles and didn't look out of place. That's something Leonard hasn't done. They're both similar players, but I think Stramels main advantage is that he looks ahead of Leonard in his development curve. Playing in the NCAA a year earlier, last year he was putting up the same level of points as Leonard is this year- but also played briefly for the U20s.

 

[rt]

He was mostly bad in the World Juniors, but everyone was bad there, with the exception of Bedard, maybe. However this year I think a lot of the people who haven't seen him, or wrote him off last year will change their minds at this years WJC. I don't see any reason why he won't get a better opportunity this time, at least.

Fun fact: Dragicevic currently has a better PPG and more points than Yager.

Edit: Have to remember that Stramel was also 17 and had "just" turned 17 when he played with most of the WJC. He was playing against and with 2022 draft eligibles and didn't look out of place. That's something Leonard hasn't done. They're both similar players, but I think Stramels main advantage is that he looks ahead of Leonard in his development curve. Playing in the NCAA a year earlier, last year he was putting up the same level of points as Leonard is this year- but also played briefly for the U20s.

You talking u18s when you say WJC?

If we take Dvorsky I can keep my name the same and not have to think about it, or just change the number, so I hope we draft him (and as long as I'm hoping here, I hope we draft Bedard and Fantilli while we're at it)

He could theoretically select #18

 

[Dead Coyote]

You talking u18s when you say WJC?


He could theoretically select #18

I was referring to both the U18s and U20s, he played on both (Stramel did). Dragicevic only played for the U18s. To me though they're both the "WJC" although I know that's not entirely common. Dragicevic will (or at least should) play in the U20s, Stramel is more debateable but he still might this year.

I don't see Dvorsky selecting 18, but even if he doesn't it's an important year for me personally so I don't mind keeping it, lol. He could though! I'd just be happy to have him on the team lol

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

He was mostly bad in the World Juniors, but everyone was bad there, with the exception of Bedard, maybe. However this year I think a lot of the people who haven't seen him, or wrote him off last year will change their minds at this years WJC. I don't see any reason why he won't get a better opportunity this time, at least.

Fun fact: Dragicevic currently has a better PPG and more points than Yager.

Edit: Have to remember that Stramel was also 17 and had "just" turned 17 when he played with most of the WJC. He was playing against and with 2022 draft eligibles and didn't look out of place. That's something Leonard hasn't done. They're both similar players, but I think Stramels main advantage is that he looks ahead of Leonard in his development curve. Playing in the NCAA a year earlier, last year he was putting up the same level of points as Leonard is this year- but also played briefly for the U20s.

Check out Chris Peters latest podcast Talking Hockey Sense. Go to 38:20. Awful team in Wisco. He has all the tools, but no toolbox? Most likely like Cooley, still figuring it out.

 

[Dead Coyote]

Check out Chris Peters latest podcast Talking Hockey Sense. Go to 38:20. Awful team in Wisco. He has all the tools, but no toolbox? Most likely like Cooley, still figuring it out.

Winsconsin does have an awful team, yes. Not sure it would be apt to say he has no toolbox. He's smarter than he looks because does many small things that add up. Cooley is a pretty decent comparison, but I think Holloway or AJ Greer are better comparisons. Right now he's arguably at the AJ Greer level, where he's raw but has skill, passion, and talent. He has to show us he can get to the Holloway level, now. Not many players go straight to University and if he was in the USHL lighting it up I think he'd be talked about a lot more as a 1st round draft pick.

 

[rt]

This is such an amazing draft class. And I’m glad it’s the last one for which I’m going to be actively cheering for losses. Regardless of lottery luck, this needs to be the last tank season. The team needs to stop intentional Roster sabotage after this.

Just because BA stops being bad “on purpose” doesn’t mean the team will magically get good. They’ll still struggle and still pick early in the first for a while. And that’s ok. And, of course, i’m not talking about trading A+ future assets for win-now players, or anything.

Just that we need to look for opportunities to fill some holes, not intentionally leave them wide open. Look for chances to keep assets that fit and are performing. Look for smart FA signings that other teams might actually want. Take back only cap dumps that don’t totally suck (on-ice, contract aside).

And we need to stop completing gutting the roster every season and starting over with a whole new group. After this season, it’s time to see the team stick together, learn and grow together, and show gradual improvement.

Time to start cheering for wins again after this one.

 

[Dead Coyote]

This is such an amazing draft class. And I’m glad it’s the last one for which I’m going to be actively cheering for losses. Regardless of lottery luck, this needs to be the last tank season. The team needs to stop intentional Roster sabotage after this.

Just because BA stops being bad “on purpose” doesn’t mean the team will magically get good. They’ll still struggle and still pick early in the first for a while. And that’s ok. And, of course, i’m not talking about trading A+ future assets for win-now players, or anything.

Just that we need to look for opportunities to fill some holes, not intentionally leave them wide open. Look for chances to keep assets that fit and are performing. Look for smart FA signings that other teams might actually want. Take back only cap dumps that don’t totally suck (on-ice, contract aside).

And we need to stop completing gutting the roster every season and starting over with a whole new group. After this season, it’s time to see the team stick together, learn and grow together, and show gradual improvement.

Time to start cheering for wins again after this one.

2024 might be a really good draft year too. 2025 and 2026 both have stand outs as well. What do you mean we can't perennially tank until we have 5 McDavids on our team?

If we draft Bedard or Fantilli, I think we win a few more games next year just having them on the roster. Assuming we keep Chych and Ghost we'll definitely go up a few more spots just from guys like MM and our draft pick on the team producing. Which is a good thing.