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

[MarkusKetterer]

From Matthew Fairburn



Adams and his staff were busy this week interviewing draft prospects during the NHL Scouting Combine. It’s always best to not draw too many conclusions from the specific player meets, but the Sabres did draft a few players they met with this time last year. So here’s an incomplete list of players the Sabres met with this week and their rankings on Scott Wheeler’s latest board.

10. Matthew Wood, RW
12. David Reinbacher, RHD
14. Eduard Sale, LW
16. Axel Sandin Pellikka, LHD
17. Colby Barlow, LW
18. Quentin Musty, LW
32. Etienne Morin, LHD
41. Oliver Bonk, RHD
77. Gavin McCarthy, RHD
85. Jakub Dvorak, RHD
Unranked: Sawyer Mynio, LHD

Out of those listed, gimme Reinbacher, Bonk and Dvorak

 

[Fjordy]

Out of those listed, gimme Reinbacher, Bonk and Dvorak

Well, I still like Barlow and I'm a little better about ASP.

 

[Ace]

Give me Simashev or give me death

 

[HOOats]

A few interesting bullet points in there

• NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said Etienne Morin would be his first defenseman taken for the NHL Draft. The Moncton Wildcats defenseman was the 19th-ranked North American skater and is the 59th player on Daily Faceoff’s top 100 list. The skilled, two-way defenseman has 21 goals and 72 points, a huge step up from his 33-point output a year ago.

I normally try to avoid prospects from the Q, as the success rate has really declined in recent years. But this quote made me do a double take.

Super interesting. While heeding Chain's note not to take young internet scouts' hot takes too seriously this time of year, this exchange caught my eye re: Dobber leaving Morin out of their top 100 completely. Given Marr's take on Morin, I wouldn't be surprised if 6-8 different D top different teams' boards (Reinbacher, Simashev, Willander, ASP, Gulyayev, Morin, even Bonk or Molendyk.) June 28 is going to be wild.

• When asked by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler who the most talented player in the draft is, many players, obviously, said Connor Bedard. The second most common answer? Colby Barlow from the Owen Sound Attack. Barlow led all draft-eligible OHL prospects with 46 goals this year.

I've really liked Barlow's game, more than most on here. I can't speak for his growth potential, but he's not afraid of the dirty areas and his shot pops off the film in the same way that Quinn's did (although it's probably just a notch below).

I wonder if that poll result has more to do with heavy OHL/CHL attendance at the combine more than anything else. Barlow beat up on them all year. If you surveyed all my 12 year old cousins, they'd say their 36-year old cousin was the best basketball player at the family reunion too lol.

I'm seriously hoping we do not draft him. Ceiling concerns plus not a position of need. The fact that he scored so much and is still not solidly in the first few tiers is a red flag for me. I can't see him being BPA at 13. Fortunately, I don't think he matches up with our draft philosophy.

 

[MOGlLNY]

The closer we get, the more I want Simashev

 

[Fjordy]

The closer we get, the more I want Simashev

Who?

 

[The Blunder Years]

The closer we get, the more I want Simashev

He’s going to be so goddamn good. If Samuelsson had hands and the skating ability of Power

I’m pretty much at the point where I’d be happy with almost anyone that could be available at 13. What a draft class. Banging the table for Simashev though.

 

[Fjordy]

He’s going to be so goddamn good. If Samuelsson had hands and the skating ability of Power

I’m pretty much at the point where I’d be happy with almost anyone that could be available at 13. What a draft class. Banging the table for Simashev though.

Yeap, SImashev have skating and hands Power and defense game Samuelsson.

 

[SECRET SQUIRREL]

I'm just hoping for one of Reinbacher, Simashev or Willander to still be there at 13... it's why I would consider taking Tyler Myers to swap 13 for 11 with Vancouver.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I'm just hoping for one of Reinbacher, Simashev or Willander to still be there at 13... it's why I would consider taking Tyler Myers to swap 13 for 11 with Vancouver.

I'd want more than 2 spots just for Myers. But even then, do we really think all three will go before 13? ASP is still in the mix as well and could go top 10.

 

[SECRET SQUIRREL]

St Louis(10), Vancouver(11) and Arizona(12) all need defensive help, especially on the right side. IMO moving up even just 2 spots is huge in getting one of these guys.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I legitimately haven't been this disinterested in the first round of the draft since before Vanek was picked. Trade the goddamn pick with VO/Joker for immediate help. Whichever one you don't move in that deal, move for a defensive prospect who is 20-22, who can step into Rochester and be a top pair guy down there for a year or two.

 

[billsandsabres]

putting in a plug for a late round flier on sutter muzzatti. moves very well for 6'5" and is adept at finding and getting to open space. good vision and creative passer. high character, nhl bloodlines. he really elevated after xmas break and there is a ceiling here that is well worth a pick in the 5th or later. he was recruited after appert left but seth still has contacts at rpi. if he checks in, the coaching staff will gush over him.

muzzatti is my guy for 2023!

Sutter Muzzatti - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Sutter Muzzatti, 2003-06-28 Okemos, MI, USA USA. Most recently in the NCAA with RPI (Rensselaer Polytech. Inst.). Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[EichHart]

I legitimately haven't been this disinterested in the first round of the draft since before Vanek was picked. Trade the goddamn pick with VO/Joker for immediate help. Whichever one you don't move in that deal, move for a defensive prospect who is 20-22, who can step into Rochester and be a top pair guy down there for a year or two.

Can do that with our 2nd rounders if needed.

 

[SundherDome]

Hoping Adams does some dark side shit and trades 13 and someone or 13 straight up for help on d or in goal and gets back a late 1st and swipes Musty.

 

[Reddawg]

I legitimately haven't been this disinterested in the first round of the draft since before Vanek was picked. Trade the goddamn pick with VO/Joker for immediate help. Whichever one you don't move in that deal, move for a defensive prospect who is 20-22, who can step into Rochester and be a top pair guy down there for a year or two.

I'm not very excited either, but it's because I feel like the new core is pretty much settled at this point after we hit so hard in the first round last year. If we move into the top 10, that would be pretty exciting, if Michkov drops and we take him that would be pretty exciting...beyond that, just go BPA and hope it works out well. Whoever we take at 13 won't wear the sweater for 2-3 years minimum but this is a good deep draft so just take the best player that's there.

 

[RoyalOverNavy]

Out of those listed, gimme Reinbacher, Bonk and Dvorak

Isn't ASP a RHD?

 

[Fjordy]

Isn't ASP a RHD?

Yeap, but he is mostly PP QB

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Here's Button's hot takes

Craig's List: Plenty of intrigue surrounding Matvei Michkov ahead of NHL Draft | TSN

Connor Bedard is the runaway favourite to be taken first overall by the Blackhawks on June 28 in Nashville but don’t be surprised if Matvei Michkov ends up being the biggest talking point.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Fjordy]

Here's Button's hot takes

Craig's List: Plenty of intrigue surrounding Matvei Michkov ahead of NHL Draft | TSN

Connor Bedard is the runaway favourite to be taken first overall by the Blackhawks on June 28 in Nashville but don’t be surprised if Matvei Michkov ends up being the biggest talking point.

www.tsn.ca

What a hell?

Simashev - 38

Reinbacher - 20

Moore - 16

Benson - 14

 

[toddkaz]

What a hell?

Simashev - 38

Reinbacher - 20

Moore - 16

Benson - 14

ASP at 5

Dragicevic at 55

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Makes you wonder how he ever had a front office job in the NHL

 

[displacedsabre]

Taking part in a mock draft
1) Bedard
2) Fantilli
3)Carlsson
4) Smith
5) Reinbacher
6) Leonard
7) Dvorsky
8) Michkov
9) Benson
10) Wood
11) Willander
12) Simashev

Moore? I like Barlow, but sabres like skill, skating , and what seems to be "untapped/growth' potential.

 

[Ace]

Taking part in a mock draft
1) Bedard
2) Fantilli
3)Carlsson
4) Smith
5) Reinbacher
6) Leonard
7) Dvorsky
8) Michkov
9) Benson
10) Wood
11) Willander
12) Simashev

Moore? I like Barlow, but sabres like skill, skating , and what seems to be "untapped/growth' potential.

You’ve stumbled onto the worst case scenario!

I think they’d draft Moore. I’d be crying in a closet and my pick time would lapse.

 

[HOOats]

What a hell?

Simashev - 38

Reinbacher - 20

Moore - 16

Benson - 14

Button has an earned rep for hot takes, but to me this is just more evidence of how many perceptions of this covid-influenced class there are. He isn't the only one - there's substantial variance out there. I'd love to be able to see the craziest list from an actual NHL scout - I'd bet it's crazier than this.

It's fun to have our own lists and bang the table for "our guys," but it's educated guesswork outside the handful of guys here who watch full games. Individual rankings are going to deviate from the inherently biased consensus we've become comfortable with.

Would you bet your house that not a single team has Reinbacher at 20? ASP at 5? Moore at 16? Musty at 31? Hell, the hottest take might be three G in the top 33.