Freddy Sjostrom
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- Jun 24, 2018
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Prospect Info: 2023 Draft Thread (Yotes picking #6 & #12)
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Freddy Sjostrom
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- Jun 24, 2018
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Left wing vs right shot center (to be fair Smith may be projected NHL winger). 5-9’ vs 5-11.75’. College vs major junior. Both incredible playmakers. Both play with high end talent on good teams. Benson obviously plays with more jam, willing to get his nose dirty. Benson with 62 pts in 36. Smith with 59 pts in 32. Pick your poison. Edit- Smith is described by most as a strong skater, where Benson is not.
I think Bill can push aside his 6'1 draftee criteria when he's looking at elite talent. He rightfully did with Cooley. I think being willing to get your nose dirty is still part of the criteria though.
If it becomes evident that Will Smith is a perimeter player that doesn't battle in the corner (I'm not saying he is) then Bill would look elsewhere.
If it becomes evident that Will Smith is a perimeter player that doesn't battle in the corner (I'm not saying he is) then Bill would look elsewhere.
Arizonatah Coyetis
Formerly Kai Yo T
I think BA will take BPA regardless of size and make trades if necessary.
Arizonatah Coyetis
Formerly Kai Yo T
Any theories on difficulty moving up in this draft? Will teams be willing to trade down out of the top 15?
Matias Maccete
Chopping up defenses
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Yeah Cooley may not be giant but he doesn't play small at all. He's a huge prick whenever I've seen him play hahaha
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
That's actually not a bad comparable for Cooley. Less snarl and more skill. Somewhere between Kadri and Hughes.
Let's say the draft was today:
5th SJ - No way they move back despite how shallow their pool is
6th VAN - After such a disappointing season I think heads would roll if they moved back. Shallow prospect pool but there's a good chance they will have multiple 1sts anyways
7th MTL - Starts to get interesting here. Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Dach is the foundation of a good top 6. They need to work on the blue line and just generally filling out their prospect pool. Problem is FLA pick could be top 12 so probably wouldn't be interested. They stay put here but...
8th OTT - Well this is awkward. if we still have Chychrun you gotta think this would be an option.
9th DET - Another interesting spot. I personally don't think the DET prospect is top 5. Maybe I'm missing something. But the center depth looks questionable and they don't have many high end wingers outside of Raymond. So do they take a couple more stabs and trade back? Or do they take perceived higher end talent. I suspect they stay put.
10th PHI - How do the Flyers have more points than OTT and DET?! Torts is setting them back.
11th BUF - Probably want to begin turning the corner. If we have Chychrun I could see it. They have pick a ton the past couple years though so doubt they move back for more picks.
12th FLA/MTL - this could be the pick that MTL moves to get extra capital. They've really moved out anything of high end value so I can't see them getting another late 1st or 2nd. They also proved they are willing to grab players who are young and can play now.
13th STL - Could be like SJ last year where they want extra shots in this draft.
14th NSH - If they are still in win-now mood would a retained Schmaltz + Jenik get them to budge?
Hows that?
I don't see Ottawa or Buffalo trading their pick in a Chychrun deal. They may trade for Chyhrun, but I doubt they trade that pick. It would be nice though.
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
Not when he was drafted. Which is my point.
Reading that wheeler article predraft about Cooley’s reputation in the gym and the results he was getting, combined with Minnesotas reputation for athlete building at a top school, and with what I saw at the WJC, I’m expecting him to end up around Kadri size.
Of course, I don’t really know and half of that is just hope. But we’ve drafted some unathletic scrawny kids third overall before and watched them make no physical progress. That’s not been the case with Cooley. Early signs are good rather than concerning like the other two.
Heck, I think we'll be debating (the kinder, gentler version of arguing) unless we win 1st Overall. I hope there's no debate.
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
Fun fact: Benson has the same number of even strength points as Bedard this season.Heck, I think we'll be debating (the kinder, gentler version of arguing) unless we win 1st Overall. I hope there's no debate.
And he did the Zegras:
Benson-Cooley-Guenther maybe would have a chance at being one of those elite super lines. Of course, Keller-Matthews-Schmaltz is going to be nice, too.
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
I like him a lot better than both, personally. And I had both in my top 12 last year. I think he’s more like a Cooley caliber prospect.
Jagged Ice
Registered User
Also a possibility if Schmaltz gets moved:
Benson-Cooley-Guenther
Keller-Matthews-Matikka
I don't think Bill wants to pay Matthews unless he signs a fair contract. (Doubtful)
Fingers crossed Matikka has a big year in Denver next season. I like Schmaltz, but Miko is 6'3" and over 200 lbs at 19, but he has to really impress to slot into a top six future role on this team. Either way, what BA is building is starting to take shape and our offense is coming together. Defense is another story atm but we've got a lot of picks to go. 2024 draft we need to focus on two dmen in round one.
If we don't pick top 3 this June, I'm drafting Michkov at #4. Maybe even #3. I still have Fantilli at #2. Fun days ahead.
rt
Clean Hits on Substack
Greenway is Keller’s buddy, IIRC. Might take the sting out of moving Veggie? Frees us up to grab an extra first with less risk of ugly trade demands.
Vinny Boombatz
formerly ctwin22
but he doesn't skate well...i'm done taking guys that have skating woes
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