2023 NHL Draft June 28 and 29, Nashville, TN (Selections - 13, 39, 45, 86, 109, 141, 173, 205)

[elchud]

Trade back for Simashev, maybe a few spots, add a 2nd possible. Trade back to 16 to be safe. Simashev&Strbak would be a great 1st two picks. But Strbak might go end of the 1st. Theres a lot of 1st/2nd round RHD in the draft. Package two 2nds to move to pick 29 or so and get Strbak.

 

[elchud]

And with the 3rd, Buffalo boy Gavin McCarthy.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I don't and I sort of feel like he's in the mid-teens.

Huh, that’s where buffalo might pick. Could end up being one of the top options.

 

[Chainshot]

Nothing good comes of May 8th other than David Attenborough.

 

[Jim Bob]

Sportsnet's 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: March Edition​

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Sportsnet's 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: March Edition​

Here's our area...Danny But stands out to me as a good option. How do you not love this brief description? Which matches what I've been seeing.

11. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Allsvenskan): Bouncing around to a number of different teams the past couple years (including stints with the national team) did not serve him well. Playing nearest his peer group at the world juniors was more telling of the true talent.​

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12. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL): A low maintenance player who can be trusted in all situations and relied upon to provide sustained offence.​

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13. Samuel Honzek, LW, Vancouver Giants (WHL): Embraces his size and uses it to full advantage through a powerful stride. Understands the game well and is committed to improving on it daily. Top-10 potential is not out of the question.​

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14. Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL): Continues his meteoric rise up the rankings as one of the most exhilarating players inside the opposition blue line.​

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15. Eduard Sale, RW, Brno (Czechia): He wows with the puck on his stick, but scouts question whether or not he’s determined enough to get it back when he doesn’t have it.​

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16. Daniil But, LW, Yaroslavl (KHL): Moves around effectively for a big man, competes hard, shoots hard and accurately, and has no problem moving the puck if there's a better option.​

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17. Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D, Skelleftea (Sweden J20): Uses his edges and skating ability to retrieve pucks. Can move it as a transporter up the ice, or with a deft first pass.​

I don't love this draft and wonder if we ultimately trade our 1st. It would make a lot of sense to start doing that kind of thing this offseason imo.

 

[ckg927]

A guy like ASP is 3-4-5 years out. Even if he hits what he's supposed to be.....we STILL won't need a guy like ASP even in 3-4-5 years. If we need a guy like him, that means that either Dahlin or Power have moved on and I don't even want to entertain the thought of such a scenario.

Reinbacher is the ONLY defenseman that interests me in the 10-15 range in this draft, and he's likely to go in the 5-10 range.

One of two things happens:

1. Buffalo moves up to get Reinbacher(IMO, unlikely)....OR.....

2. Buffalo does what I suggested we do and draft a "bastard"(skill player with size and a MASSIVE chip on their shoulder, ready to run roughshod over opposing players).

 

[Jim Bob]

One of two things happens:

1. Buffalo moves up to get Reinbacher(IMO, unlikely)....OR.....

2. Buffalo does what I suggested we do and draft a "bastard"(skill player with size and a MASSIVE chip on their shoulder, ready to run roughshod over opposing players).

Or, they stick with their type, take another small, skilled winger, and this board has a meltdown.

 

[Chainshot]

Or, they stick with their type, take another small, skilled winger, and this board has a meltdown.

At some point they have to differentiate.

 

[Jim Bob]

At some point they have to differentiate.

I thought we were at that point last year and here we are.



Although, they did take one goalie in their first 5 picks...

 

[Chainshot]

I thought we were at that point last year and here we are.



Although, they did take one goalie in their first 5 picks...

There are some centers with size or even center who project out as wingers. Or just trade it.

 

[Jim Bob]

There are some centers with size or even center who project out as wingers. Or just trade it.

Or how about this really crazy thought, maybe take a D or two in the first two rounds...

 

[Chainshot]

Or how about this really crazy thought, maybe take a D or two in the first two rounds...

Not likely to be the same value based on location and ranking. Or just do the Joel Savage or Denis Tsyplakov and reach for need instead of value. That always works out so well. Or 2010 with three RHD in their first four picks.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

If they keep their picks it'll be a forward in the first as they're bpa, the 2nd round should have d options

 

[Jim Bob]

Not likely to be the same value based on location and ranking. Or just do the Joel Savage or Denis Tsyplakov and reach for need instead of value. That always works out so well. Or 2010 with three RHD in their first four picks.

You can do that with taking guys with size and grit with stuff like the Kassian pick.

They shouldn't force things early. But, if things are close, they should lean towards taking a guy that is not like other guys that they already have in the pipeline. Whether that is a forward with size or a D in general versus taking another winger who's main positive is the ability to shoot the puck.

 

[Chainshot]

You can do that with taking guys with size and grit with stuff like the Kassian pick.

They shouldn't force things early. But, if things are close, they should lean towards taking a guy that is not like other guys that they already have in the pipeline. Whether that is a forward with size or a D in general versus taking another winger who's main positive is the ability to shoot the puck.

Agreed and things I have pointed out about drafting which is why I have been interested in a player like Simashev or DBut.

The issue is saying “just take defensemen” ignores how low most of the defensemen are being ranked. That isn’t a cluster issue, that is reaching.

 

[Jim Bob]

Agreed and things I have pointed out about drafting which is why I have been interested in a played like Simashev or DBut.

The issue is saying “just take defensemen” ignores how low most of the defensemen are being ranked. That isn’t a cluster issue, that is reaching.

I was just expanding the diversification conversation beyond just the 1st round pick and taking a bigger forward.

They do have 2 2nd round picks that could be used to take a D or two that wouldn't be a reach.

 

[EichHart]

Stock up on d and power forwards this draft. We have enough talent/speed.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

If the 1st pick isn't traded, the player picked could easily end up being a trade chip down the line when we're competing and have specific needs to fill. I just want the most valuable asset, I don't care what it looks like since he probably won't even play for Buffalo.

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

I wouldn’t be opposed to a Matt Wood or Calum Ritchie. I think both probably project as middle 6ers with offensive talent. However, big, skilled and some snarl. Ritchie has a bit of Tkachuk in his game.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I wouldn’t be opposed to a Matt Wood or Calum Ritchie. I think both probably project as middle 6ers with offensive talent. However, big, skilled and some snarl. Ritchie has a bit of Tkachuk in his game.

Not a fan of Honzek? Seems like another big boy but with maybe a higher ceiling?

 

[Chainshot]

Honzek and DB50 are more of the #15 or #16 OA guys I would like to see. There aren't "power forward" types in the way people probably think of the Tkachuks. If there were, they'd be taken higher. Leonard is sort of like that but more like Ryan Callahan but with better skills/speed. I don't think anyone would think of Callahan at his height as a power forward but very much a guy who helps win playoff series.

Barlow has some bite in his game, though I wonder if he's got natural mean to him or if he's a bit more like Cozens and needs to be pulled into the fray? And that he's much more physically mature than some of the guys his age.

There is no easy target that I've come across to say "oh, he's the sort of jam player who is easy to see that they should take".

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

Not a fan of Honzek? Seems like another big boy but with maybe a higher ceiling?

I do like Honzek and DB. I’d probably rank Honzek, Wood, But, Ritchie. @Chainshot is my SME. I’ve only started looking at tape the last month or two.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Honzek and DB50 are more of the #15 or #16 OA guys I would like to see. There aren't "power forward" types in the way people probably think of the Tkachuks. If there were, they'd be taken higher. Leonard is sort of like that but more like Ryan Callahan but with better skills/speed. I don't think anyone would think of Callahan at his height as a power forward but very much a guy who helps win playoff series.

Barlow has some bite in his game, though I wonder if he's got natural mean to him or if he's a bit more like Cozens and needs to be pulled into the fray? And that he's much more physically mature than some of the guys his age.

There is no easy target that I've come across to say "oh, he's the sort of jam player who is easy to see that they should take".

Yeah, these guys are more in the "don't get pushed around" category than the "pushes other players around" one. I feel like most true power forwards are taken outside of the 1st round, and they develop into one as they keep moving up and not losing their relative skill? Tkachuk's are a pretty rare breed to have all that power AND skill starting at such a young age.

 

[Chainshot]

Yeah, these guys are more in the "don't get pushed around" category than the "pushes other players around" one. I feel like most true power forwards are taken outside of the 1st round, and they develop into one as they keep moving up and not losing their relative skill? Tkachuk's are a pretty rare breed to have all that power AND skill starting at such a young age.

Yeah, seems like they go really early - Fantilli may have some of that as a pro since he does a lot of "through" instead of "around" in his game - and plenty of teams mess up their pick around 6-10 with guys like Virtanen, Kassian, Beach, Boucher, and Dylan McIlrath or Duncan Siemans on defense or as you point out, they are guys outside the first who put it together (Knies for Toronto vs. Boucher for the Sens). It seems like it's hard to find from the later part of the top 10 down into the 30's.

Maybe Meier and Crouse (though he was panned at the time before being moved and finding his game in Arizona) in 2015 but since then it's been pretty barren at the top of things.