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HF Habs: 2023 Early Bird 15th Annual Mock Draft (COMPLETE)

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That was my last pick.

17. F Matthew Wood
40. RD Oliver Bonk
49. G Adam Gajan
88. RD Andrew Gibson
145. G Juha Jatkola
177. RD Carter Sotheran
209. F Florian Xhekaj

In every mock I do, I always try to go according to the needs of the team I get, in Buffalo's case, right-handed dmen and goalies, which is what I tried to do.

In the first round though, I always try to go BPA, whatever the position, and to me it was Wood at 17, big winger who's having a fantastic freshman season in the NCAA already. Needs to work on his skating, but still.

After that, Bonk could be a safe, defensively apt RHD, Gajan had a great WJC and was suddenly on the radar, Gibson is the definition of high-risk/high-reward IMO, Jatkola is having a great season in the Liiga where he's their no.1 goalie already at 20 (21 in september), Sotheran is the quiet, effective, defensive stability to more offensive-minded D, and with Xhekaj I just didn't know anyone anymore, saw him, got him, overager, don't expect much from him, yeah he's tough, yeah he isn't scared of anyone, but skill-wise he isn't anything to write about.. still, who knows.

Thanks @MarkovsKnee to yet again hold that Early Bird mock, that was fun, efficient, and surprisingly fast, can't wait to see how wrong (or right) most of us were come the actual draft.
 
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New York Islanders 2023 Draft is complete. Not a lot of picks, but overall I'm pleased with it. There's no 1st, which was traded to Vancouver for Horvat. They in turn traded it to Detroit for Honrek.

2nd Round (47 OA): Kalan Lind (F), Red Deer Rebels (WHL): He's a shift disturber extraordinaire, but brings surprising skill including playmaking & a quick release. A sort of poor man's Brady Tkachuk, he has 2nd line upside. Either that, or he's Trent Fredric, a middle weight, 4th line grinder. Since Islanders love those types, either way it works. He fits their culture.

4th Round (111 OA): Jaden Lipinski (C), Vancouver Giants (WHL): Someone who I think will go 3rd round latest in actual draft. Who doesn't love big centers that can skate, protect the puck, win board battles and drives the net. Oh yeah, and he's grown leaps & bounds offensively from his rookie season last year. Vancouver traded Zack Ostapchuk to Winnipeg because this kid is better. He's having a far better draft season than Ostapchuk too, who went 39th OA in 2021.

5th Round (143 OA): Tomas Suchanek (G), Tri-City Americans (WHL): For the 3rd time Isles go West for their draft pick. Suchanek was a rock for Czechia at the WJCs. Kid brings size & athleticism to his net. He's a butterfly goalie who battles and doesn't give up on plays. Kind of a bigger Halak with better puckhandling. He's also improved from his rookie season in all significant goal tending categories.

6th Round (175 OA): Magomed Sharakanov (LD), Dynamo Muskova (MHL): McKeen's had him ranked late 2nd round at one point. He's improved offensively from his rookie season last year. 7g, 25a for 32 pts in 44 games is excellent for a defenseman in MHL, where D don't often put up a lot of points. He's got some punch to his game too. He's reduced his penalties in half from a year ago though, so he's learned some discipline too. Worth a shot in 6th round.

7th Round (207 OA): Andrei Loshko (C), Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL): A two way forward with some nice playmaking skills. He's over a ppg in his 2nd year in the QMJHL, which is a nice jump from his rookie year. I like to see that kind of progress in young players. Deserves to be drafted.

That's it for Isles. I have one more pick for Tampa Bay.
 
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L4br3cqu3 said:
That was my last pick.

17. F Matthew Wood
40. RD Oliver Bonk
49. G Adam Gajan
88. RD Andrew Gibson
145. G Juha Jatkola
177. RD Carter Sotheran
209. F Florian Xhekaj

In every mock I do, I always try to go according to the needs of the team I get, in Buffalo's case, right-handed dmen and goalies, which is what I tried to do.

In the first round though, I always try to go BPA, whatever the position, and to me it was Wood at 17, big winger who's having a fantastic freshman season in the NCAA already. Needs to work on his skating, but still.

After that, Bonk could be a safe, defensively apt RHD, Gajan had a great WJC and was suddenly on the radar, Gibson is the definition of high-risk/high-reward IMO, Jatkola is having a great season in the Liiga where he's their no.1 goalie already at 20 (21 in september), Sotheran is the quiet, effective, defensive stability to more offensive-minded D, and with Xhekaj I just didn't know anyone anymore, saw him, got him, overager, don't expect much from him, yeah he's tough, yeah he isn't scared of anyone, but skill-wise he isn't anything to write about.. still, who knows.

Thanks @MarkovsKnee to yet again hold that Early Bird mock, that was fun, efficient, and surprisingly fast, can't wait to see how wrong (or right) most of us were come the actual draft.
Click to expand...

I think Wood is a great pick for Buffalo. I probably would have taken a 3rd goalie with that 7th. Lol

Oh boy, does Buffalo need goalies.

Thanks for playing.
 
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With the #210 pick, Winnipeg pick the best player of the draft. Ye I lyin.

Mikhail Ye. Ilyin of Cherepovets that is.

When I saw his name, I knew I had to draft him. He also played in the KHL for half of his D season, so there's that.
 
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Here is my final write-up. I love the top end of this draft and it remains strong through the second round, but I think there is a significant drop-off afterwards and it really showed with no 2nd round pick.

8. Philadelphia: Colby Barlow (LW) - Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
I think he projects very well at the next level. He has progressed tremendously through the year, and areas of his game that were average have trended upwards. As opposed to others, I think his shot will still work at the NHL level and I can easily project him as a 30 goals scorer. I also think he has NHL-level understanding of the game, great work ethics and a well rounded skillset, and that he may be victim of the same scrutiny from fans as usual for this kind of non-sexy pick (I've heard enough joke about his age/looks). I thought strongly about Leonard there, which goes to show how open it gets after the top 6-7 considering he went 15th.

75. Philadelphia (from Fla): Carey Terrance (C) - Erie Otters (OHL)
He has flown under the radar, playing for a terrible team in Erie. Terrific skater who excels on the forecheck. I think he projects as a winger at the next level with OK goal scoring ability.

89. Philadelphia (from NYR): Mazden Leslie (RD) - Vancouver Giants (WHL)
A swing for the fence type of pick. A lot of offense, plays the modern D type of game. Loves to get involved in the play, sometimes overextends. D is a work in progress but there's the basis of a player.

104. Philadelphia: Kristian Kostadinski (LD) - Frolunda J20 Nationell
6'5 D, not much offense and his play with the puck can be worrisome. Betting on the long game here.

116. Philadelphia (from Edm): Noa Vali (G) - TPS Jr (Finland)
Doesn't have the prototypical size for a NHL goalie, but he has been lights out in the playoffs after having a up-and-down season. I'm hoping we can see him at the U18 for a better look.

136. Philadelphia: Hunter Anderson (LW) - Shattuck St. Mary's (USHS-PREP)
Small winger, dominated at the high school level and is slated to join Denver next year.

168. Philadelphia: Yegor Klimovich (F) - Novosibirsk (MHL)
Another small winger who shows good goal scoring abilities. He was on a great run in the MHL, although his playoffs have been underwhelming.

174. Philadelphia (from Ott): Pier-Olivier Roy (LD) - Victoriaville (QMJHL)
I think he should have been drafted last year, and will certainly hear his name in Nashville this June. Doesn't have the size you look for in a typical NHL D, but he has good puck skills and great IQ. He is surprisingly solid on both ends as well for a smaller D.

200. Philadelphia: Brady Stonehouse (RW) - Ottawa 67s (OHL)
Picked him last year, would pick him again this year. Even if he is lacking in size, I think he has the drive and grit to make it as a bottom line sparkplug who will relentlessly drive opponents crazy and can ship in with a goal here and there.
 
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Final draft for Winnipeg

18. Winnipeg: Calum Ritchie (C) - Oshawa Generals (OHL)
82. Winnipeg: Ethan Miedema (LW) - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
146. Winnipeg: Matyas Melovsky (C) - Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
153. Winnipeg (from NYR): Ivan Remezovsky (LD) - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
210. Winnipeg: Mikhail Ye. Ilyin (F) - Cherepovets (KHL/MHL)
 
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With Pick #211 in the 2023 NHL Entry draft, the Sharks select Peteris Bulans

3. San Jose: Matvei Michkov (RW) - Sochi (KHL)
30. Otto Stenberg (F) - Frolunda HC (SHL)
35. Charlie Stramel (C) - U18 USNTDP
95. Jakub Stancl (LW) - Vaxjo (J20 Nationell)
99. Felix Nilsson (C) - Rogle (J20 Nationell)
118. Drew Fortescue (LD) - U18 USNTDP
129. Emil Pieniniemi (LD) - Karpat U20 Finland
131. San Jose: Alex Hellnemo (G) - Skelleftea Jr. (J20 Nationell)
163. Maxim Vehovski (RW) - HC Viktovice U20
195. Austin Burnevik (LW) - USNTDP
198. Vojtech Husinecky (RD) - Calgary Hitmen
211. Peteris Bulans (LD) - Sags

Last pick, I'll post a bigger post to finish, but not today.

@Treb back to you
 
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Hope you get better SOLR.

Edmonton picks at 212 defenceman Eric Pohlkamp from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Hesitated between him and a few forwards, but had to balance the draft a bit.

52. Edmonton: Jesse Kiiskinen (RW) - Pelicans (Liiga)
148. Edmonton: Nikolai Nikulshin (G) - Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)
180. Edmonton: Gavyn Thoreson (LW/C) - Andover Huskies (USHS-MN)
212. Edmonton: Eric Pohlkamp (D) - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)

And with that, both my team are done.

@Goldenhands is next and PMed. Thank you @MarkovsKnee for organizing.
 
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With the 213th selection, :wildselect LHD Lucas Lagerberg Hoen from Leksands IF j20.

Draft completed.

21-Gavin Brindley 5"9 170 C/W
53-David Edstrom 6"3 187 C
59-Coulson Pitre 6"1 170 W
149-Zach Nehring 6"3 180 W
181-Albert Wikman 6"1 194 LHD
213-Lucas Lagerberg Hoen 6'1 180 LHD

Special thank you @MarkovsKnee for hosting.

@calder candidate
 
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1679452137132.png
#214 Seattle Kraken

With our final pick, the 214th pick of the 2023 NHL entry draft the Seattle Kraken are proud to select for Zemgale of Lativa.

C –Rainers Rullers 6‘4‘’ 194lbs

1679452129937.png


Scouting report:

The top Latvian prospect for the 2023 draft is Rainers Rullers, who has played quite well in the top two tiers of Latvian professional hockey. He spent eight games in the second league, where he scored seven points and showed that his strength and skating could keep up with a higher level of competition. Rullers then received a promotion to the top Latvian league, where he scored 17 points in 28 games as a 17-year-old. Rullers has a massive frame for someone of his age. In Latvia he was the second highest scorer amongst U18 skaters and was the fourth highest among all U20 skaters.

Overall pretty happy with the draft.

#22 LW– Quentin Musty 6‘2‘’ 203lbs - Divisive and polarizing prospects, high-end skill level and significant NHL upside, his skills, creativity, shot, and vision all grade out as above average. -Star PFW / top 6
#50 RW- Mathieu Cataford 5‘11‘’ 187lbs – Sneaky in front of the net also a surprisingly good passer and will annoy the opponents with his off puck grindy type of game. -Middle 6/3rd liner
#54 LD – Jakub Dvorak 6‘5‘’ 203lbs – Excellent mobility active everywhere, everything you want out of Top 4 D. Good 2nd pair D / bottom pairing D
#61 RD – Tom Willander 6‘1‘’ 186lbs – good size, he also possesses mobility and tools that could give him an impressive upside. two way 2nd pair Dman / bottom pairing D
#86 LW – Martin Misiak 6‘2‘’ 190lbs – 3rd liner /Bottom 6 energy player
#119 G – Scott Ratzlaff 6‘1‘’ 170lbs – 1B / backup
#150 C –Kevin Bicker 6‘1‘’ 174lbs - Bottom 6 energy player / -
#170 G –Samuel Urban 6‘1‘’ 183lbs - 1B / backup
#182 C – Jiri Felcman 6‘4‘’ 190lbs – Bottom 6 with Size
#214 C –Rainers Rullers 6‘4‘’ 194lbs – Bottom 6 with Size

I would like to thank @MarkovsKnee and everyone that participated to make this early mock draft a big success, hope to see everyone back for the next one.

COL GM @Stive Morgan is now on the clock for pick #215
@Stive Morgan has been PM
 
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Alright, this ended up a great day as far as picks go.

We're down to our final 8 picks! :handclap:

OP is updated.

It's Ottawa's turn again. I'll wait to see if @JeffreyLFC can make his final pick.

That's it for me for tonight.
 
calder candidate said:
View attachment 673814#214 Seattle Kraken

With our final pick, the 214th pick of the 2023 NHL entry draft the Seattle Kraken are proud to select for Zemgale of Lativa.

C –Rainers Rullers 6‘4‘’ 194lbs

View attachment 673813

Scouting report:

The top Latvian prospect for the 2023 draft is Rainers Rullers, who has played quite well in the top two tiers of Latvian professional hockey. He spent eight games in the second league, where he scored seven points and showed that his strength and skating could keep up with a higher level of competition. Rullers then received a promotion to the top Latvian league, where he scored 17 points in 28 games as a 17-year-old. Rullers has a massive frame for someone of his age. In Latvia he was the second highest scorer amongst U18 skaters and was the fourth highest among all U20 skaters.

Overall pretty happy with the draft.

#22 LW– Quentin Musty 6‘2‘’ 203lbs - Divisive and polarizing prospects, high-end skill level and significant NHL upside, his skills, creativity, shot, and vision all grade out as above average. -Star PFW / top 6
#50 RW- Mathieu Cataford 5‘11‘’ 187lbs – Sneaky in front of the net also a surprisingly good passer and will annoy the opponents with his off puck grindy type of game. -Middle 6/3rd liner
#54 LD – Jakub Dvorak 6‘5‘’ 203lbs – Excellent mobility active everywhere, everything you want out of Top 4 D. Good 2nd pair D / bottom pairing D
#61 RD – Tom Willander 6‘1‘’ 186lbs – good size, he also possesses mobility and tools that could give him an impressive upside. two way 2nd pair Dman / bottom pairing D
#86 LW – Martin Misiak 6‘2‘’ 190lbs – 3rd liner /Bottom 6 energy player
#119 G – Scott Ratzlaff 6‘1‘’ 170lbs – 1B / backup
#150 C –Kevin Bicker 6‘1‘’ 174lbs - Bottom 6 energy player / -
#170 G –Samuel Urban 6‘1‘’ 183lbs - 1B / backup
#182 C – Jiri Felcman 6‘4‘’ 190lbs – Bottom 6 with Size
#214 C –Rainers Rullers 6‘4‘’ 194lbs – Bottom 6 with Size

I would like to thank @MarkovsKnee and everyone that participated to make this early mock draft a big success, hope to see everyone back for the next one.

COL GM @Stive Morgan is now on the clock for pick #215
@Stive Morgan has been PM
Click to expand...

Cataford is very good value at 50.

Musty might be a good winger for Beniers.
 
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