Draft 2023 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agents Thread

[NYRFANMANI]

Reinbacher may have top pairing upside, I just don't see any chance he's available at our pick. Simashev would make a lot of sense at our spot. Those types of defenceman project really well. Good size, good skater, most importantly a good defender. Brought his name up plenty... Nikishin is probably one of the best D prospects on the planet right now. He was not some offensive dynamo when he was drafted. Brady Skjei was not an overly productive college player. He had 18 goals this year, 3 seasons where he was a c*** hair under 40 points. Mo Seider is another one who's been far more productive in the NHL then he was in the AHL/SHL/DEL. Their tools allow them to add offense to their game as they develop. Defense is their foundation. You're not picking Simashev because his numbers are special, he's just a good overall defender that has the tools to add some offense.

Reinbacher is gone by pick 10.

I'm warming up to the prospect Simashev. I still wouldn't draft him, I prefer a fwd at 23.
Certainly underrated his finesse, puck control and dekes. He got some. Could actually be a Seider type, if he dares use his size and everything falls into place.
Simashev had 2g4a in 10g these MHL playoffs, which indicates that he shows up in the post season, but it's the MHL we're talking here. That would be my knock on Simachev mostly MHL competition. Other than that, he looks solid. No international numbers available unfortunately.

As for Moritz Seider, he had the tools, the moves, the offense but specially at the DEL level he was told to focus almost entirely on D, so his numbers don't show there. His international junior numbers are all at or over point per game. At the IIHF WC in 2019 (Seider draft year) he did show his two-way abilities on the PP and joining the rush. He dominated the SHL with 28 pts in 41 games at 20 yo, nabbing SHL defenseman of the year as a rookie. (22pts in 49 AHL games as 19 yo D, ain't far more productive either, than the NHL numbers.)

I quickly looked up this Nikishin kid ... yeah, holy moly what a year he just had in the KHL. One could argue there was offense. His MHL numbers prior to his draft year look ok, better than Simachev's. Carolina's early 3rd rnd pick in 2020.

 

[Synergy27]

Sean Tschigerl not tendered a contract by Anaheim. I wanted him back in 2021. Does he go back into the draft or is he now an FA?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Sean Tschigerl not tendered a contract by Anaheim. I wanted him back in 2021. Does he go back into the draft or is he now an FA?

He was drafted out of major juniors (CHL) so he has to re-enter the draft.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Sean Tschigerl not tendered a contract by Anaheim. I wanted him back in 2021. Does he go back into the draft or is he now an FA?

I hope the Rangers draft him. He’s another LW, does he play RW as well? Seems love more skilled energy players isnt a bad thing

 

[eco's bones]

By position the Rangers biggest needs are RW, LD, RD. If we keep our 23 and don't move down all things being equal (and sometimes they're not) I'd go for player at one of those positions.

Looking at D prospects in the organization we have Jones, Robertson, Scanlin, Emberson already pros. We have Kjellberg, Mancini and Kempf unsigned all playing Division 1 college. None of the three unsigned is a lock to be signed. It wouldn't surprise if we didn't sign any of them. We're also really short on RW's throughout the organization.

RW's who might be around at 23--Ethan Gauthier, Gavin Brindley can play the position, Lenni Hameenaho, Koehn Ziemmer, Kasper Halttunen. Matthew Wood is a player who could fall but I think he's unlikely to be around at 23. Gauthier would be a solid pick. I like Ziemmer. A physical hard nosed player with size and a good scoring touch. Brindley is more a RW buzzsaw not unlike Adam Sykora.

Possible defensemen who could be at 23--Mikhail Gulayev, Dmitri Simashev, Oliver Bonk, Lukas Dragicevic, Tom Willander, Hunter Brzustewicz, Caden Price, Cameron Allen. I think I remember from somewhere the Rangers were looking at LD Price at the beginning of the year. The consensus seems as of now he's a 2nd rounder. He's an excellent skater--two way and very poised for his age. Willander an RD has been shooting up the rankings--steady dependable two way player....Bonk kind of is too only larger frame. Bonk an RD has excellent size and a very good two way game. His dad was a former 1st rounder from the Czech Rep. Radek Bonk. His son Oliver is a Canadian player playing in the OHL for London. Allen an RD is another probable 2nd rounder. Does everything pretty well and has an edge. At the beginning of the year he was a potential top 10 pick. The best 4 probably are Gulayev, Simashev--LD's and Bonk, Dragicevic--RD's. I like Simashev. Big, strong, physical---not a lot of offense at least not very much yet. He's kind of an LD version of Braden Schneider IMO. Really good skater for a 6'4 guy. Gulayev is 5'11--more of an Adam Fox type.

 

[mas0764]

Sale seems like the best player who is likely to be there at 23.

 

[MrAlmost]

Always been a fan of targeting the youngest players in a draft. They often surprise the most as later round picks.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Sale seems like the best player who is likely to be there at 23.

I'd say there's a chance but I wouldn't say it's likely he's there. I'd do cartwheels if he ended up a Ranger at 23.

 

[surlysailor]

Sale seems like the best player who is likely to be there at 23.

Sale & Musty to me seem like the guys nyr will select if both are there. I was hoping for Perrault earlier in the year but he might go top 15 now.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Sale & Musty to me seem like the guys nyr will select if both are there. I was hoping for Perrault earlier in the year but he might go top 15 now.

Im a huge fan of Musty. And not familiar with Sale

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Decided to give it a go. To be fair, I have not watched as much junior and even European hockey as I normally do the last 12 months, with me starting a new job and getting married 2 weeks ago (Which takes a f*** ton of preparation apparently. No one told me )

Traded down a couple times.

 

[ArPanet]

Woodlief on NHL Now asked by Pidto about kids who might surprise how high they could go names Anton Wahlberg, Bradly Nadeau and Jacob Fowler fwiw

 

[I Eat Crow]

Woodlief on NHL Now asked by Pidto about kids who might surprise how high they could go names Anton Wahlberg, Bradly Nadeau and Jacob Fowler fwiw

I can see a team in the teens reaching a bit on Nadeau. He's a BCHL product, but the numbers are too good to poo poo.

 

[Savant]

By position the Rangers biggest needs are RW, LD, RD. If we keep our 23 and don't move down all things being equal (and sometimes they're not) I'd go for player at one of those positions.

Rangers need to not worry about position and go for best player available. They aren’t taking a playing that is going to contribute immediately so just get the best talent in the system as possible. I’m not going to take Brindley over a C like Sawchyn or LW like Lardis just because he plays on the right. NHL is the worst sport to draft based on positional need.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Decided to give it a go. To be fair, I have not watched as much junior and even European hockey as I normally do the last 12 months, with me starting a new job and getting married 2 weeks ago (Which takes a f*** ton of preparation apparently. No one told me )

Traded down a couple times.



View attachment 715642

Wow Reinbacher at 23? I swear I’ve read lists with him in the top 5

 

[I Eat Crow]

Wow Reinbacher at 23? I swear I’ve read lists with him in the top 5

Montreal may take him at 5. I'd draft a center to be Suzuki's running mate if it was me but maybe they go outside the box if Smith and Carlsson go 3/4.

 

[UnSandvich]

Wow Reinbacher at 23? I swear I’ve read lists with him in the top 5

The site's rankings are a bit weird. Once they get McKenzie's rankings on there things'll be more accurate

 

[eco's bones]

Rangers need to not worry about position and go for best player available. They aren’t taking a playing that is going to contribute immediately so just get the best talent in the system as possible. I’m not going to take Brindley over a C like Sawchyn or LW like Lardis just because he plays on the right. NHL is the worst sport to draft based on positional need.

Not that I don't get your point but I don't think that was a great example because I'd take Brindley over both of those guys anyway. The question of whether Sale a LW would drop is something that would more make your point. My guess would be he won't drop to 23 but that's a player you'd almost have to take if he did.

Speaking of LW though--Panarin, Kreider, Laftreniere and arguably are two best prospects Othmann and Cuylle are all natural LW's. And back to defense prospects---we literally have nothing outside the pro ranks right now and what we have in Hartford is okay but not great. That and the cap freeze are why we're filling those 6/7 D spots with guys like Harpur. Because even Jones hasn't proven he's ready to defend NHL quality players.

 

[savebyrichter94]

The site's rankings are a bit weird. Once they get McKenzie's rankings on there things'll be more accurate

Yea it’s crazy how much it changes once his rankings come out that’s why I temper expectations until at least that point and even then it’s not a lock

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yea it’s crazy how much it changes once his rankings come out that’s why I temper expectations until at least that point and even then it’s not a lock

When you get outside the top-10 it's a complete guess anyway.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I just read McKenzie's list when it comes out. He basically knows what every team picks and ruins all the excitement on draft day.

 

[UnSandvich]

One of the wild things that i keep forgetting about this draft is that Bedard is actually a July birthday, meaning he's overall on the younger side of his draft. I believe he's the youngest 1st overall since MacKinnon in 2013

 

[Savant]

Not that I don't get your point but I don't think that was a great example because I'd take Brindley over both of those guys anyway. The question of whether Sale a LW would drop is something that would more make your point. My guess would be he won't drop to 23 but that's a player you'd almost have to take if he did.

Speaking of LW though--Panarin, Kreider, Laftreniere and arguably are two best prospects Othmann and Cuylle are all natural LW's. And back to defense prospects---we literally have nothing outside the pro ranks right now and what we have in Hartford is okay but not great. That and the cap freeze are why we're filling those 6/7 D spots with guys like Harpur. Because even Jones hasn't proven he's ready to defend NHL quality players.

I’m not a big Sale guy either. Honzek is another name I would throw in there who might be in that range. But again it’s going to be at least two years out before these guys are making the roster; and the roster could look a lot different in two years. Just need to go BPA

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

By position the Rangers biggest needs are RW, LD, RD. If we keep our 23 and don't move down all things being equal (and sometimes they're not) I'd go for player at one of those positions.

Looking at D prospects in the organization we have Jones, Robertson, Scanlin, Emberson already pros. We have Kjellberg, Mancini and Kempf unsigned all playing Division 1 college. None of the three unsigned is a lock to be signed. It wouldn't surprise if we didn't sign any of them. We're also really short on RW's throughout the organization.

RW's who might be around at 23--Ethan Gauthier, Gavin Brindley can play the position, Lenni Hameenaho, Koehn Ziemmer, Kasper Halttunen. Matthew Wood is a player who could fall but I think he's unlikely to be around at 23. Gauthier would be a solid pick. I like Ziemmer. A physical hard nosed player with size and a good scoring touch. Brindley is more a RW buzzsaw not unlike Adam Sykora.

Possible defensemen who could be at 23--Mikhail Gulayev, Dmitri Simashev, Oliver Bonk, Lukas Dragicevic, Tom Willander, Hunter Brzustewicz, Caden Price, Cameron Allen. I think I remember from somewhere the Rangers were looking at LD Price at the beginning of the year. The consensus seems as of now he's a 2nd rounder. He's an excellent skater--two way and very poised for his age. Willander an RD has been shooting up the rankings--steady dependable two way player....Bonk kind of is too only larger frame. Bonk an RD has excellent size and a very good two way game. His dad was a former 1st rounder from the Czech Rep. Radek Bonk. His son Oliver is a Canadian player playing in the OHL for London. Allen an RD is another probable 2nd rounder. Does everything pretty well and has an edge. At the beginning of the year he was a potential top 10 pick. The best 4 probably are Gulayev, Simashev--LD's and Bonk, Dragicevic--RD's. I like Simashev. Big, strong, physical---not a lot of offense at least not very much yet. He's kind of an LD version of Braden Schneider IMO. Really good skater for a 6'4 guy. Gulayev is 5'11--more of an Adam Fox type.

I wouldnt avoid a LW if that is whos best available. Reality is its for certain that 3 years from now, panarin is gone, and imo its kinda likely kreider is traded before the end of his deal which leaves us with just Laff and Cuylle at LW. Personally id take a shot at andrew cristall if available.

The kid is a gamer who just scores and creates. Super super agile and one of the best playmakers in the class. Hes a future top 6 Winger having him and Laff in the top 6 at LW for the next decade would be a great thing paired with kakko and othmann on the RW.

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

By position the Rangers biggest needs are RW, LD, RD. If we keep our 23 and don't move down all things being equal (and sometimes they're not) I'd go for player at one of those positions.

Looking at D prospects in the organization we have Jones, Robertson, Scanlin, Emberson already pros. We have Kjellberg, Mancini and Kempf unsigned all playing Division 1 college. None of the three unsigned is a lock to be signed. It wouldn't surprise if we didn't sign any of them. We're also really short on RW's throughout the organization.

RW's who might be around at 23--Ethan Gauthier, Gavin Brindley can play the position, Lenni Hameenaho, Koehn Ziemmer, Kasper Halttunen. Matthew Wood is a player who could fall but I think he's unlikely to be around at 23. Gauthier would be a solid pick. I like Ziemmer. A physical hard nosed player with size and a good scoring touch. Brindley is more a RW buzzsaw not unlike Adam Sykora.

Possible defensemen who could be at 23--Mikhail Gulayev, Dmitri Simashev, Oliver Bonk, Lukas Dragicevic, Tom Willander, Hunter Brzustewicz, Caden Price, Cameron Allen. I think I remember from somewhere the Rangers were looking at LD Price at the beginning of the year. The consensus seems as of now he's a 2nd rounder. He's an excellent skater--two way and very poised for his age. Willander an RD has been shooting up the rankings--steady dependable two way player....Bonk kind of is too only larger frame. Bonk an RD has excellent size and a very good two way game. His dad was a former 1st rounder from the Czech Rep. Radek Bonk. His son Oliver is a Canadian player playing in the OHL for London. Allen an RD is another probable 2nd rounder. Does everything pretty well and has an edge. At the beginning of the year he was a potential top 10 pick. The best 4 probably are Gulayev, Simashev--LD's and Bonk, Dragicevic--RD's. I like Simashev. Big, strong, physical---not a lot of offense at least not very much yet. He's kind of an LD version of Braden Schneider IMO. Really good skater for a 6'4 guy. Gulayev is 5'11--more of an Adam Fox type.

I wouldnt avoid a LW if that is whos best available. Reality is its for certain that 3 years from now, panarin is gone, and imo its kinda likely kreider is traded before the end of his deal which leaves us with just Laff and Cuylle at LW. Personally id take a shot at andrew cristall if available.

The kid is a gamer who just scores and creates. Super super agile and one of the best playmakers in the class. Hes a future top 6 Winger having him and Laff in the top 6 at LW for the next decade would be a great thing paired with kakko and othmann on the RW

5 years from now

Laff-Chytil-Kakko
Cristall-Mika-Othmann
Cuylle-Trocheck-?
Sykora-McConnell Barker-Edstrom

Lindgren-Fox
Kandre-schneider
Robertson-?

Obviously it wont be that as we’ll sign UFA’s and have other draftees but overall its a pretty solid core