Draft 2023 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agents Thread

[duhmetreE]

I'd hate for another top star to go to some tiny market in the grand scheme of things.

I'd take the orginal 6 team. Montreal or Chicago. Arizona, if all goes perfect, would be nice... but that team will be towards the bottom for at least 3-5 years.

 

[rangersfansince08]

He does work hard when he's in the lineup.

It is a funny favorite player to have though.

Its fine if you are projected to be a 4th line guy but for someone as skilled as Bedard its ridiculous.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I'd hate for another top star to go to some tiny market in the grand scheme of things.

I'd take the orginal 6 team. Montreal or Chicago. Arizona, if all goes perfect, would be nice... but that team will be towards the bottom for at least 3-5 years.

Ew no to Montreal. Tbh Arizona deserves him the most because as shit as they’ve been thru the years they’ve never drafted higher than 3 and both times it didn’t work out (Turris, Strome). I’ve got nothing against Chicago so fine if he goes there too. San Jose could use him as well they’ve never drafted 1st either and when they did draft 2nd it was the 90s and there were hardly any good players in those drafts.

 

[surlysailor]

So, where would the league want Bedard to go?

Montreal? Chicago?

or to places like Ohio or Arizona? to try and help

Obviously Edmonton will miss the playoffs by 1 point and win the lottery.

 

[UnSandvich]

Order of preference, bottom 6 teams in the league:

1. San Jose
2. Columbus
3. Anaheim
4. Arizona



















5. Montreal
6. Chicago

 

[UnSandvich]

--------------------------------------------------------------
Also, while they'd never take him over Bedard, i'd argue Matvei Michkov would be spectacular for Arizona in that they can keep him over in Europe for his KHL contract, and then he'd be coming over right as they start at their new arena (in theory, assuming that plan succeeds)

 

[Ranger Ric]

Here's another write up on top NCAA Free Agents. Sam Malinski, right handed defenseman of Cornell, has been on every list I have seen. Tanner Paloksikc, right handed defenseman of Dartmouth, who attended Rangers development camp with Malinski last summer, has finished his NCAA career and could be signed. But I haven't seen his name show up on any list of top NCAA free agents. And Hartford has too many defensemen now and Paloksic would not likely play even if the Rangers or Hartford had some interest in him for next year. He could be next year's Zach Giutarri, the best player on a bad Ivy League team.

Top 10 NCAA free agents to watch in the NHL

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

So, where would the league want Bedard to go?

Montreal? Chicago?

or to places like Ohio or Arizona? to try and help

However the balls fall.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

I'd hate for another top star to go to some tiny market in the grand scheme of things.

I'd take the orginal 6 team. Montreal or Chicago. Arizona, if all goes perfect, would be nice... but that team will be towards the bottom for at least 3-5 years.

If I'm Connor Bedard, I wouldn't want to play the first few years of my NHL career playing home games in a 4,500 seat arena.

There hasn't been any indication he would pull a Eric Lindros on the Quebec Nordiques and I don't know if he would anyway; I'm just expressing my opinion.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Carl Berglund, forward of U Mass Lowell, who attended Rangers development camp last summer signed with Edmonton.

 

[MrAlmost]

I happen to like a lot of the free agents this year. Based on familiarity, I'm sure the Rangers are talking to Ford. He played with 2 Rangers' prospects. One of which just signed. I would love to get one of the D and a RW too. Hartford has openings next year. A lot of openings. Likely a few guys are looking to move on, but we will see.

 

[QJL]

--------------------------------------------------------------
Also, while they'd never take him over Bedard, i'd argue Matvei Michkov would be spectacular for Arizona in that they can keep him over in Europe for his KHL contract, and then he'd be coming over right as they start at their new arena (in theory, assuming that plan succeeds)

They might not last until Michkov comes over if they draft Michkov. I think they’re the least likely team to select him because of financial risk.

 

[bhamill]

They might not last until Michkov comes over if they draft Michkov. I think they’re the least likely team to select him because of financial risk.

Michkov is going to be interesting. Bedard is going first, no doubt. Michkov is 2nd IMO. But these teams at the top of the draft need help YESTERDAY and he is tied up through 2026... plus Russia is a mess and teams are going to be gunshy taking Russian players in general. Barring a team that can happily wait for Michkov moving up, Fantilli will almost certainly go 2nd, and then... who knows? Michkov could possibly fall out of the top 5. If this happens I'm sure there will be a couple of teams trying to trade up at that point. Going to be VERY interesting.

 

[QJL]

Michkov is going to be interesting. Bedard is going first, no doubt. Michkov is 2nd IMO. But these teams at the top of the draft need help YESTERDAY and he is tied up through 2026... plus Russia is a mess and teams are going to be gunshy taking Russian players in general. Barring a team that can happily wait for Michkov moving up, Fantilli will almost certainly go 2nd, and then... who knows? Michkov could possibly fall out of the top 5. If this happens I'm sure there will be a couple of teams trying to trade up at that point. Going to be VERY interesting.

I honestly do not see any scenario where Michkov falls past 3. If he falls to 3, shame on the team picking Fantilli 2nd.

You pick Matvei Michkov and you wait. This is the way. (Unless the survival of your franchise is in peril if you wait)

 

[bhamill]

I honestly do not see any scenario where Michkov falls past 3. If he falls to 3, shame on the team picking Fantilli 2nd.

You pick Matvei Michkov and you wait. This is the way. (Unless the survival of your franchise is in peril if you wait)

I hear you, I think he's closer to Bedard than Fantilli is to him, but I'm predicting he goes AFTER Fantilli. I would wait, no doubt, but some of these GM's might be wondering do they even HAVE three years in their job to wait if they don't get immediate results... The fact that the draft is about 5 players deep that could be a 1OA some years could take the sting off of it...

 

[Ruggs225]

Any college fa’s that confirmed to be rangers targets? Or we are talking to?

 

[MrAlmost]

Depends on the teams that end up in the top 5, but I think Michkov could easily fall to the 6 through 10 spot. 3 year contract and Russia factor.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Obviously Edmonton will miss the playoffs by 1 point and win the lottery.

unless they miss by significantly more than that, not happening. only 1-11 can win 1st overall.
Only 1-14 can get to 3rd overall.

 

[cwede]

Any college fa’s that confirmed to be rangers targets? Or we are talking to?

well some guys to follow are those who've come to NYR July Prospect camps

in this weekend's NCAA games, that includes
(NOT full list, just guys I happen to be aware of)
Ohio State SR W Michael Gildon, low scorer but played every game
Cornell Jr RD Sam Malinski, 3rd on team in points
Michigan LD Luca Fantilli, a freshman but older brother of teammate top '23 draft prospect Adam

 

[Kravtsov420]

who should we be targeting with our first ?

if we follow drury's draft history, guys that are tenacious on the puck

 

[Ranger Ric]

Any college fa’s that confirmed to be rangers targets? Or we are talking to?

The top NCAA free agents are on teams that made it to the playoffs. As those teams are starting to be eliminated we'll begin to hear more talk about players they might target. I have not heard any mention of who the Rangers may talk to.

When you look at organizational need I think there is a consensus that right defense and right wing should be targets. Sam Malinski of Cornell is one of the top rated right handed defensemen and he attended Rangers development camp last year. Once Cornell is eliminated for the tournament he is a name to watch. Western Michigan lost today and right wing Jason Pollin is one of the top right wing prospects.

 

[B17 Apricots]

who should we be targeting with our first ?

if we follow drury's draft history, guys that are tenacious on the puck

I say this more often than not, but I think this draft in particular given how deep it is would be one that makes a lot of sense to trade down depending on who's still available. There's a laundry list of players I'd be fine seeing the Rangers take. But regards to what you're asking, I think Gavin Brindley probably fits the mold you're talking about. Exploded the 2nd half of the season to finish almost a point per game in college. High motor. All situations, PP, PK. Settled in to RW but he's played center. He'd add some needed quickness to this group down the line. Ranked right in our range

 

[bobbop]

I’m not so sure Arizona would be willing to wait on Michkov. Keller has become a star, Cooley will likely be here next year and they already are developing a nice young core. This organization has a way of screwing things up that leads me to believe at this point they would lean to the surer, sooner bet.

 

[surlysailor]

who should we be targeting with our first ?

if we follow drury's draft history, guys that are tenacious on the puck

I’m not too caught on this draft picks, esp late first rounds, but for some reason quintin musty or stramel screams nyr pick to me. Musty is another lwer but will take some time which could fit nyr timeline for when kreider or panarin walk/get traded. Stramel is a C who can fit when nyr won’t be able to afford keeping troch & chytil as 2-3 c combo if all pans out with either pick.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I say this more often than not, but I think this draft in particular given how deep it is would be one that makes a lot of sense to trade down depending on who's still available. There's a laundry list of players I'd be fine seeing the Rangers take. But regards to what you're asking, I think Gavin Brindley probably fits the mold you're talking about. Exploded the 2nd half of the season to finish almost a point per game in college. High motor. All situations, PP, PK. Settled in to RW but he's played center. He'd add some needed quickness to this group down the line. Ranked right in our range

Would love this.

Prefer him to some of the other names that have been thrown around here that could be made in that area (Danielson, Stramel, etc.)