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

[jmelm]

I definitely would like to get the best available goalie with that first 2nd round pick.

I’d be thrilled if we got one Dman, one goalie, and one larger power/character/specialty forward with those first 3 picks.

 

[Chainshot]

I definitely would like to get the best available goalie with that first 2nd round pick.

I’d be thrilled if we got one Dman, one goalie, and one larger power/character/specialty forward with those first 3 picks.

Philly's pick will be interesting to see who has slipped down in that 25-40 group (or if someone is free falling out of the 15-25 band). I'm not sure they go with a 2nd on another goalie though one year on from spending a 2nd on one.. There are a bunch of defensemen who seem like they should be in that late 30's range

 

[toddkaz]

Philly's pick will be interesting to see who has slipped down in that 25-40 group (or if someone is free falling out of the 15-25 band). I'm not sure they go with a 2nd on another goalie though one year on from spending a 2nd on one.. There are a bunch of defensemen who seem like they should be in that late 30's range

Seems like Simashev has dropped down a bit on some mock drafts and could be around with the 2nd round pick.

 

[Chainshot]

Feels like Simashev has dropped down a bit on some mock drafts and could be around with the 2nd round pick.

Bob's last poll put him in the mid 30's with guys like Price, Allen, and Lindstein.

He's got a lot of the tools and the size. What he hasn't done yet is produce points, but his Loko playoffs in the MHL have been good thus far (2-4-6 in 9 games is tops on his team and 2nd for defensemen his age). If they continue to chug along, he'll have more eyes on him and that might shift some opinions (and that might be up in the draft order... or down).

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Strbak, Bonk and Bruz should be d available around the Philly 2nd

 

[Chainshot]

Strbak, Bonk and Bruz should be d available around the Philly 2nd

Bonk might be available at the Kings 3rd rounder.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Are we all but locked into the 13th spot? Been a while since we’ve drafted this low!

 

[ValJamesDuex]

dlt

 

[jmelm]

Philly's pick will be interesting to see who has slipped down in that 25-40 group (or if someone is free falling out of the 15-25 band). I'm not sure they go with a 2nd on another goalie though one year on from spending a 2nd on one.. There are a bunch of defensemen who seem like they should be in that late 30's range

Yeah, to clarify it better, I should have said: if they don’t pick a Dman with the1st round pick, then I would prioritize the best available Dman with the PHI 2nd rounder. But, if they take a Dman with the 1st, then I’d prioritize a goalie (if one of the top 2 or 3 in the draft is available) before taking another forward.

An interesting example is the Penguins in the 2020 draft. They didn’t have a 1st that year and selected 2 goalies with their 2nd and 3rd round picks: Joel Blomqvist and Calle Clang, respectively. When asked after the draft why they did that, they said they rated those two goalies as the highest rated prospects on their draft board. Fast forward a couple of years later, and Calle Clang was the centrepiece in the trade to acquire Rickard Rakell, who has been a great acquisition for that team.

In other words, if one of the best goalies in the draft is available with that PHI 2nd rounder, the selection of Leinonen last year shouldn’t be the reason they don’t select another (and possibly even more highly regarded) goalie this year.

That’s just my personal philosophy though, and whether they think the same remains to be seen. I would argue that their selection of 4 skilled forwards in the first three rounds of last year’s draft — despite it being the relative strength of the organizational depth chart — shows that they adopted that philosophy to the F position. Now, they should do the same with the goalies if one of the highest on their list is available.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Real early, but looking at the draft and seeing where teams project to finish, I think Leonard is going to be the BPA when the Sabres pick.

 

[Chainshot]

Real early, but looking at the draft and seeing where teams project to finish, I think Leonard is going to be the BPA when the Sabres pick.

I will do handstands if he's there. Then, after I get out of the ER, I will do more.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I will do handstands if he's there. Then, after I get out of the ER, I will do more.

Yeah, I haven't wanted to get too attached to him since you flagged him early in the season, since he screamed top 10. Figured he'd go higher than where we draft but it's looking dead-on now at 13-ish.

Real early, but looking at the draft and seeing where teams project to finish, I think Leonard is going to be the BPA when the Sabres pick.

Seems like it'll at least be the perceived BPA based on the big lists. I bet a lot of mocks have us taking him.

 

[Chainshot]

He's got a lot of what Buffalo likes and pieces of top 6/9 game they don't have. I too am trying not to be too attached. Most years when there is someone I really like, he's gone. lol

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

I’m down with Leonard or Sale with Buffalo’s pick if one falls. I think Sale might be my favorite in that range and I think it’ll help elevate Kulich’s game.

I’m not sure if Reinbacher will drop, highly doubt but his projections are all over the top half of draft.

Wants:
Reinbacher
Sale
Leonard

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I’m down with Leonard or Sale with Buffalo’s pick if one falls. I think Sale might be my favorite in that range and I think it’ll help elevate Kulich’s game.

I’m not sure if Reinbacher will drop, highly doubt but his projections are all over the top half of draft.

Wants:
Reinbacher
Sale
Leonard

Wants:

Reinbacher, Leonard, Bonk, Stramel, Schenkel in the 7th

UDFA:

Huard

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

He's got a lot of what Buffalo likes and pieces of top 6/9 game they don't have. I too am trying not to be too attached. Most years when there is someone I really like, he's gone. lol

I hear ya, same here.

Add in the fact that he's small, so he's got to be all over the place on team lists. Some probably have him as high as 6 or 7, others probably have him in the 20s. So I don't know what to expect. Once the draft order is set, we will likely have a better idea on how likely it is that he'll be available. Gotta think we at least have a 50/50 shot.

 

[Chainshot]

I hear ya, same here.

Add in the fact that he's small, so he's got to be all over the place on team lists. Some probably have him as high as 6 or 7, others probably have him in the 20s. So I don't know what to expect. Once the draft order is set, we will likely have a better idea on how likely it is that he'll be available. Gotta think we at least have a 50/50 shot.

Yeah, his style leaves the doubters wondering since he's under 6' and only 190 lbs per the NTDP site - so he's Ryan Callahan sized, even slightly bigger. For most of his career, Callahan was an absolute PITA and I see that dog in Leonard.

 

[Jim Bob]

I’m guessing he can do pull-ups.

 

[elchud]

We are basically locked in at 13. If Reinbacher drops, praise Jesus. If Dvorsky drops, sprint to the podium. Leonard would be excellent BPA value if he is there. But absolutely wouldn't be surprised if Leonard goes 11 or 12 either. If we are looking at Yager/Cristall/Pellika you gotta trade down or trade the pick.

 

[Jim Bob]

Luke Mittelstadt - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Luke Mittelstadt, 2003-01-22 Eden Prairie, MN, USA USA. Most recently in the NCAA with Univ. of Minnesota. Complete player biography and stats.

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I wonder if Luke is a guy the Sabres would look at later in the draft?

 

[Chainshot]

We are basically locked in at 13. If Reinbacher drops, praise Jesus. If Dvorsky drops, sprint to the podium. Leonard would be excellent BPA value if he is there. But absolutely wouldn't be surprised if Leonard goes 11 or 12 either. If we are looking at Yager/Cristall/Pellika you gotta trade down or trade the pick.

Reinbacher will not be there. And I have some doubts about Dvorsky. Serious doubts.

 

[elchud]

Mitts Jr would be good value in the 4th.

 

[elchud]

Dvorsky has a Zacha floor. He'd be one of our better defensive forwards on day 1, and would have to exercise patience with him as he develops his offense and needs time with NHL skating coaches. If it take until 28/29 to be our 3C that is fine we have plenty of young forwards in the system. I think he ends up being mich better than Zacha and am OK slow cooking him and being patient.

 

[Fly Boy]

Dvorsky has a Zacha floor. He'd be one of our better defensive forwards on day 1, and would have to exercise patience with him as he develops his offense and needs time with NHL skating coaches. If it take until 28/29 to be our 3C that is fine we have plenty of young forwards in the system. I think he ends up being mich better than Zacha and am OK slow cooking him and being patient.

I'd rather them go after Nate Danielson if thats the kind of player you're looking for.