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

[Freddy Sjostrom]

Dvo hat trick in J20 today..

 

[Edenjung]

Oliver Moore going up…

I did not know that Will Smith plays Hockey.
I hope he is not to jiggy on his skates.

And i bet he is the prince of Boston

 

[rt]

Dvo hat trick in J20 today..

Encouraging to see what he can do in his own age group.

 

[rt]

 

[Grimes]

I can't wait for all of the rewritten history on a couple years about how big of a mistake it was cof team to not take Michkov 2nd. Completely ignoring current event and his contract. It will happen though.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

It's clear that he is the 2nd best talent...but you have to wait 4yrs and there is always the possibility he doesn't come over and just takes huge $$ to stay in Russia.

I just wonder which top 5 team is going to take him?

 

[Grimes]

It's clear that he is the 2nd best talent...but you have to wait 4yrs and there is always the possibility he doesn't come over and just takes huge $$ to stay in Russia.

I just wonder which top 5 team is going to take him?

100%
Or the least likely but disastrous scenario the the conflict gets worse and Russians don't come over period. (Just to be clear I think this is highly unlikely but currently you cant say it's out of the realm of possibility).

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

At this point if given the option that we draft outside the top 3...I'd have to take Michkov over Smith or Benson and just take the risk.

 

[JasonDemersWasOkay]

If we are 4th, I look at Michkov and Smith before Benson

 

[rt]

If we are 4th, I look at Michkov and Smith before Benson

I really can’t understand Smith over Benson. I think Benson is so clearly better at everything. Not as tall. And not a center. But a truly special and elite talent.

 

[hbk]

I really can’t understand Smith over Benson. I think Benson is so clearly better at everything. Not as tall. And not a center. But a truly special and elite talent.

Positional bias likely. Smith has 1st line skills which as a C makes him attractive. I don’t like his work ethic.

 

[rt]

Positional bias likely. Smith has 1st line skills which as a C makes him attractive. I don’t like his work ethic.

It’s not just the motor. It’s every single skill.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

It’s not just the motor. It’s every single skill.

But it's not...you feel he's better in every skill and there are people like me who feel Smith is better at everything except for the motor.

 

[rt]

For me, Benson vs Michkov & Carlsson is the argument. Smith is next on my list but he’s not even in that conversation. I would listen to Yager vs Smith. Or Barlow or Reinbacher or whoever.

But it's not...you feel he's better in every skill and there are people like me who feel Smith is better at everything except for the motor.

It’s not even close.

Smith v Yager is a debate. That I could get into the details and the back and forth. That’s a good conversation. Smith v Benson I really can’t even get into. There’s a huge gulf between them.

 

[Heldig]

Russian factor is real.

Michkov is on my do not draft list.

Benson is the straw that stirs the drink on the best team in the CHL. I would gladly take him over Michkov at this rate unless BM knows something.

 

[rt]

But it's not...you feel he's better in every skill and there are people like me who feel Smith is better at everything except for the motor.

I should say a you are correct. I’m talking about me. I love olives and my hates them.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

For me, Benson vs Michkov & Carlsson is the argument. Smith is next on my list but he’s not even in that conversation. I would listen to Yager vs Smith. Or Barlow or Reinbacher or whoever.


It’s not even close.

Smith v Yager is a debate. That I could get into the details and the back and forth. That’s a good conversation. Smith v Benson I really can’t even get into. There’s a huge gulf between them.

Here are the publication choices
FC Hockey: Bedard/Fantilli/Michkov/Carlsson/Benson/Smith
Hockey News: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith/Benson(9)
McKeens: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith/Benson(7)
Central Scouting NA: Bedard/Fantilli/Smith/Benson(7)
Sportsnet: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith/Benson
BobbyMac: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Benson/Smith
Button: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Sale/Michkov/Smith/Benson(9)

So I don't think it's all that clear...clear to you maybe, but not to the myriad of scouting publications out there who clearly value Smith higher.

 

[rt]

Here are the publication choices
FC Hockey: Bedard/Fantilli/Michkov/Carlsson/Benson/Smith
Hockey News: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith/Benson(9)
McKeens: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith/Benson(7)
Central Scouting NA: Bedard/Fantilli/Smith/Benson(7)
Sportsnet: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Smith/Benson
BobbyMac: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov/Benson/Smith
Button: Bedard/Fantilli/Carlsson/Sale/Michkov/Smith/Benson(9)

So I don't think it's all that clear...clear to you maybe, but not to the myriad of scouting publications out there who clearly value Smith higher.

Benson is short. I won’t deny it.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Benson is short. I won’t deny it.

ok, you got me, I'm sure "ALL" the publications are valuing him lower "only" because he's shorter.

 

[rt]

Smith aside, I’d say Benson is arguably the 2nd most impressive draft eligible CHL player of the last 5 drafts. To me.

ok, you got me, I'm sure "ALL" the publications are valuing him lower "only" because he's shorter.

Yep. Only explanation. Nothing else makes sense.

 

[lanky]

ok, you got me, I'm sure "ALL" the publications are valuing him lower "only" because he's shorter.

The publications are always several months behind.
Benson has developed throughout the season into the dominant player that he is now. You'll see it fully reflected in the publications by May.

 

[Freddy Sjostrom]

I wonder if these teams that have multiple firsts take a swing?

 

[hbk]

 

[JasonDemersWasOkay]

Ya know, having to choose between Michkov, benson and smith might be a pretty good problem to have

 

[hbk]

Ya know, having to choose between Michkov, benson and smith might be a pretty good problem to have

I’d rather worry about the color of the team suit for when we have to pick Bedard.