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

[rt]

Yep, his skating is Strome level bad

He strikes me, from interviews, as an extremely driven kid. He’s really challenged himself with his situation and his growth has been incredible. I don’t know him, and I’ve only watched/read long form fluff pieces (though extremely high quality) about him. So I can’t really know. But he seems like a kid you can gamble on to put in the work.

Boone Jenner was the worst skating projected 1st round forward I’ve ever seen. But his character and work ethic were off the charts. And he did what he needed to do to have a great career.

Strome took longer because it wasn’t just skating. He was also scrawny and weak. And he just wasn’t getting bigger or stronger or faster. Even after being sent down and having set backs. Seemed to lack that fire and drive. At least from the outside it seemed that way.

Wood reminds me of Kaliyev, a bit. But I think Wood can be even better. And I’m already a Kaliyev supporter (I know he’s got doubters).

I’ll say it like this; I’d be nervous to draft Wood in the 11-14 range. But if BA and his crew decide to do that, I’ll be confident and excited.

 

[lanky]

Wood is a good bet to be the next Mark Stone. But it's still a gamble. Not in the top 15 of this strong draft

 

[rt]

Many of us are gravitating to Reinbacher because he’s the best of the position of need.

Something to keep in mind, Pronman’s “Way to Early” list for ‘24 had 6 D in the Top 10.

2. Levshunov
6. Dickinson
7. Elick
8. Kiviharju
9. Mews
10.Skahan

It’s from November and has changed a lot I’m sure. But encouraging.

 

[Half Clapper]

Wood is a good bet to be the next Mark Stone. But it's still a gamble. Not in the top 15 of this strong draft

Aren't most guys gambles though?

 

[moosemeister]

Many of us are gravitating to Reinbacher because he’s the best of the position of need.

Something to keep in mind, Pronman’s “Way to Early” list for ‘24 had 6 D in the Top 10.

2. Levshunov
6. Dickinson
7. Elick
8. Kiviharju
9. Mews
10.Skahan

It’s from November and has changed a lot I’m sure. But encouraging.

I would take Reinbacher this year and still take one of those guys next year.

I don’t necessarily think position of need is playing into our selection from 8-11. I do however think Reinbacher has a higher floor than the forwards in this range.

 

[Grimes]

Many of us are gravitating to Reinbacher because he’s the best of the position of need.

Something to keep in mind, Pronman’s “Way to Early” list for ‘24 had 6 D in the Top 10.

2. Levshunov
6. Dickinson
7. Elick
8. Kiviharju
9. Mews
10.Skahan

It’s from November and has changed a lot I’m sure. But encouraging.

Sometimes it's hard to be patient haha. I think there's still a good chance we draft 5th next season even if guys like Keller don't slow down. We may have Guenther and Cooley in full time. We may, finally, not luck out with the dumps we draft being better than expected. And outside of Schmaltz we have stayed very healthy this season. If our blueline is being anchored by Moser and Valimaki, then an injury to one or both would hurt. Or maybe our lotto luck kicks in next season and we move from 6th to 2nd.

I think part of the appeal of Reinbacher is not only is he a positional need, he is a major riser and currently is separating himself a bit from the current pack of players he's lumped in with. I expect a name.or two to really gain some hype between now and the draft that could solidify them in the top of this tier behind Will Smith.

I would take Reinbacher this year and still take one of those guys next year.

I don’t necessarily think position of need is playing into our selection from 8-11. I do however think Reinbacher has a higher floor than the forwards in this range.

I think there is still a huge argument for center or winger.
Cooley-Hayton-Geekie-McBain is great, but if Geekie doesn't pan out or Hayton doesn't want to re-sign when he goes UFA we begin to look thin.

Same for wing
Keller-Guenther-Maccelli-Crouse-Lutz-Doan
What if Keller walks because we still aren't competitive or he wants to go to STL, or Maccelli wants too much money?

Our blueline isn't exactly stacked either so I'm fine with Reinbacher but the hit rates of defenders in later rounds vs forwards is significant.

 

[rt]

I would take Reinbacher this year and still take one of those guys next year.

I don’t necessarily think position of need is playing into our selection from 8-11. I do however think Reinbacher has a higher floor than the forwards in this range.

Dickinson-Reinbacher
Valimaki-Moser
Duda-Lamoureux
Kolyachonok-Soderstrom

They feels like it’s shaping up to be legit.

 

[PHX FireBirds18]

It doesn’t mean much but I’ve been very impressed from what I’ve seen in Reinbacher. There isn’t flash there and for a fan base that was thinking too 5 this does come off as a disappointing grab initially. Having not seen the other prospects I’m not going to sit here and pretend he’s worthy of being higher or lower than other players. What I see is an extremely high IQ player. He plays a pro game and I honestly see his game translating over to North American ice even better. Hard to gauge the upside of someone that just always plays it the right way, but he does and its showing up in the stats . He kind of reminds me of Rosival in a way. Know that’s a name that doesn’t excite many people, but I could see him and Moser as a real solid top 4 pairing on the PK and potential PP duties as well.

 

[Magonus1703]

Reinbacher is a really good prospect and definitely top pairing potential. My top7 is almost locked as of:

1. Bedard
2. Fantilli
3. Michkov
4. Carlsson
5. Benson
6. Smith
7. Reinbacher

But after that i have no idea. 8-20 in my list could go almost in any order even though i have studied the prospects. The 8-15 range is really tricky and that is exactly where our picks are about to land. But i'm sure BA has a clear view of the players in that range since he was so excited about the potential of the Ottawa pick falling to that area and there are probably players he really likes.

 

[Nowotny]

Will he get a travel visa given world events ?

Honestly if he’s in attendance it may mean he’s defected.

The way things are going in Russia we may start seeing defections again.Especially with young unmarried,draft eligible guys.

 

[lanky]

Aren't most guys gambles though?

Wood has a floor of a 4th line scrub and PP specialist.
Yager, for example, is also a good candidate for that same draft slot, has a floor of a 2nd line RW or 3rd line C. I'm not sure which guy has a higher upside
Through that lens Wood is a gamble and the downside risk isn't worth the marginal upside.

 

[Half Clapper]

Wood has a floor of a 4th line scrub and PP specialist.
Yager, for example, is also a good candidate for that same draft slot, has a floor of a 2nd line RW or 3rd line C. I'm not sure which guy has a higher upside
Through that lens Wood is a gamble and the downside risk isn't worth the marginal upside.

A 17/18 year old NCAA freshman, who is a ppg has the floor of a 4th line? Ya you better go watch this guy a bit more buddy. This take is very bad!

Wood has amazing upside.

 

[rt]

Reinbacher is a really good prospect and definitely top pairing potential. My top7 is almost locked as of:

1. Bedard
2. Fantilli
3. Michkov
4. Carlsson
5. Benson
6. Smith
7. Reinbacher

But after that i have no idea. 8-20 in my list could go almost in any order even though i have studied the prospects. The 8-15 range is really tricky and that is exactly where our picks are about to land. But i'm sure BA has a clear view of the players in that range since he was so excited about the potential of the Ottawa pick falling to that area and there are probably players he really likes.

Switch Benson and Carlsson and we are same.

Even though I have Benson 4th, I think there’s a great chance he drops to 8th or 9th. He’s a little winger who’s injured long term.

 

[lanky]

A 17/18 year old NCAA freshman, who is a ppg has the floor of a 4th line? Ya you better go watch this guy a bit more buddy. This take is very bad!

Wood has amazing upside.

I agree that he has amazing upside. I'm talking about his floor, which you're ignoring. He's a really bad skater.

 

[moosemeister]

A 17/18 year old NCAA freshman, who is a ppg has the floor of a 4th line? Ya you better go watch this guy a bit more buddy. This take is very bad!

Wood has amazing upside.

NHL 4th line floor is generous. His floor is actually Swiss league.

He can obviously improve on things, but he absolutely needs to if he wants to make an impact in the pros.

 

[Half Clapper]

I agree that he has amazing upside. I'm talking about his floor, which you're ignoring. He's a really bad skater.

Matthew Tkachuk was also considered a not great skater before he was drafted. Skating can be improved and I see Wood's skating improve as he gets stronger. Go watch some scouting vids on the kid.

NHL 4th line floor is generous. His floor is actually Swiss league.

He can obviously improve on things, but he absolutely needs to if he wants to make an impact in the pros.

Great shot, great hands, big frame, high IQ, great at protecting the puck. His only real big weakness is his skating which can easily be improved on considering he literally just turned 18. You act like this guy is some huge project who has a low chance of being an NHL player. Bob Mckenzie has him ranked 14th for a reason.

 

[lanky]

Matthew Tkachuk was also considered a not great skater before he was drafted. Skating can be improved and I see Wood's skating improve as he gets stronger. Go watch some scouting vids on the kid.


Great shot, great hands, big frame, high IQ, great at protecting the puck. His only real big weakness is his skating which can easily be improved on considering he literally just turned 18. You act like this guy is some huge project who has a low chance of being an NHL player. Bob Mckenzie has him ranked 14th for a reason.

I said Mark Stone above. We're on the same page regarding his upside.

 

[Half Clapper]

I said Mark Stone above. We're on the same page regarding his upside.

Ya I got you. You think he is good defensively than, if you're comparing him to Stone?

A 2005 born player leading his NCAA team in scoring, but we got a guy here saying that his floor is the swiss league lol.

 

[Magonus1703]

Switch Benson and Carlsson and we are same.

Even though I have Benson 4th, I think there’s a great chance he drops to 8th or 9th. He’s a little winger who’s injured long term.

That would be Arizona's fortune. Someone needs to drop from that top7 if we pick 8th or later.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

Tkachuk didn't skate like Wood. Wood is Strome bad. Trust me, love Wood, but can't risk it given the unknown on his skating...if his skating doesn't improve, he's nothing but a 4th liner or he'll never make it.

 

[Half Clapper]

Tkachuk didn't skate like Wood. Wood is Strome bad. Trust me, love Wood, but can't risk it given the unknown on his skating...if his skating doesn't improve, he's nothing but a 4th liner or he'll never make it.

For such a bad skater please tell me how he is putting up a PPG as the youngest player in the NCAA? His skating is so bad but yet his stats are good. Can you imagine if he improves on his skating how good he will be?

A lot of people criticized tkachuks skating and said he was a product of marner and dvorak.

 

[Vinny Boombatz]

For such a bad skater please tell me how he is putting up a PPG as the youngest player in the NCAA? His skating is so bad but yet his stats are good. Can you imagine if he improves on his skating how good he will be?

A lot of people criticized tkachuks skating and said he was a product of marner and dvorak.

I'm with you...he's got incredible hands and his shot is top notch, great vision, the kid can play no doubt. But he wouldn't be able to do anything at the pro level if his skating doesn't improve. Again, it's Strome level bad and he doesn't have a good stride either, which makes projections about his capability to improve horrifically difficult to gauge.

I'll just have to trust the scouts if we end up with him at either of the picks.

 

[Half Clapper]

I'm with you...he's got incredible hands and his shot is top notch, great vision, the kid can play no doubt. But he wouldn't be able to do anything at the pro level if his skating doesn't improve. Again, it's Strome level bad and he doesn't have a good stride either, which makes projections about his capability to improve horrifically difficult to gauge.

I'll just have to trust the scouts if we end up with him at either of the picks.

People said the same about Brett hull. Apparently he was even a worse skater than wood is now. I think he gets around better than you’re giving him credit for also. His size helps mitigate his foot speed so to speak

 

[RedBeard]

Reinbacher is certainly gaining steam. If our scouts aren't as into him or they prefer forwards with early picks, one defensive prospect that did not make it on Bob's mid-term top 32 but made it on a couple others is Dimitri Simashev. Knowing that we have dedicated Russian scouts and have taken a couple Russians the last couple years, I could see us liking him. A good foundation of physical attributes to build on. Especially knowing size on the back end is GMBA's preference. Early second or a trade up into a late first spot I could imagine being possible.

 

[Dead Coyote]

I don't think we should draft for need. That never works out. Draft BPA and who you have the most confidence will contribute to your team the most in the future.

To me the D are all mostly interchangeable and depend most heavily on what you want out of them. Only ASP and Reinbacher are similar. Want offense? You'd be better off getting Dragicevic. Want defense? Simashev is your man. Want a combination of both? ASP and Reinbacher are the best two way guys.

You don't spend a top 10 pick on fixing that problem, Especially not when Bonk, Price, Allen, Molendyk etc are all available later.