Pre-Game Talk: 2023 NHL Draft Mega Thread: Nashville, 1st Round June 28 7 PM

[montreal]

Hockeytv.com.

I don't think they have the rights to the USHL anymore, I think Flo hockey has it now.

 

[Jabba11]

I don't see the same level of killer instinct in Carlsson as compared to Michkov. Michkov wants destruction and wants to score. I feel Carlsson is more passive than Michkov. Michkov from the center ice forward, probably is the scariest player of the draft not named Bedard.

 

[Goldenhands]

That's kind of fair.

Benson SHOULD be a lot better, technically speaking, but Newhook has wheels and was also touted as 'high motor' when he was drafted.

Benson has superior hockey IQ, but Newhook is bigger, faster and a better shooter. Benson is tougher to project at the NHL level as far as Im concerned since Ive my doubts the size/speed combo will translate well. Its not that I dont like him, I just find him a bit more risky and we already have Caufield on our top 6.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

I don't see the same level of killer instinct in Carlsson as compared to Michkov. Michkov wants destruction and wants to score. I feel Carlsson is more passive than Michkov. Michkov from the center ice forward, probably is the scariest player of the draft not named Bedard.

Michkov sounds like a winner , good god that would be bad missing the opportunity!

 

[Skip Bayless]

This is what I predicted would happen in my mock draft.

I get the feeling teams value Smith's ability to turn something out of nothing much more than Carlsson's give n go, positional approach to offense.

 

[Barriwhite]

Michael Ryder ?

He had a little bit of a mean steak that came out every once in a while

 

[Jabba11]

Michkov sounds like a winner , good god that would be bad missing the opportunity!

 

[BenchBrawl]

Nobody but Bedard is in Michkov's league.

Risk-aversion to the extreme.

Pick the Kovalev, don't waste your pick on a Koivu.

 

[Gravity]

good luck finding a GM that would do that.

This is obviously with 5 included. 5 + 31 + 37 for 4. Thought it didn't need to be said.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

If we get Carlson at 5, out center depth will be solved for a decade

He might turn out to be a winger. It's up in the air like malkin in 2004 which is why Pittsburg made sure to emphasize that they were drafting "centre, Evgeni Malkin". I think he'll probably end up a C but it's not as definite as a dvorsky for example

 

[Whitesnake]

Michkov, Leonard or Benson. Please.

And if they really have no intention in drafting Michkov, well best case scenario trade with Flyers 7 and 22, take who's left between Leonard, Benson, Reinbacher or Dvorsky. Pick another good player at 22. Or go with Caps, pick the same guys available and Caps give us also 40, pick probably a goalie.

 

[Runner77]

Men I hope SJ LOVE Michkov

Getting Carlsson at 5 would be magic

I sincerely doubt it. Plus Carlsson represents greater safety (something drating teams tend to value in early picks) and plays a premium position.

I believe the top 4 will be the 4 centers.

 

[Vachon23]

I sincerely doubt it. Plus Carlsson represents greater safety and plays a premium position.

I believe the top 4 will be the 4 centers.

I would bet on that too

Just a little hope

 

[JoelWarlord]

Which of these players was drafted 5OA or above?

How many forwards play a power game and score at a good rate and are under 6’? How many prospects of this mold have been drafted and busted?

We can analyze this and dig around or just wait till tomorrow evening to see if it’s worth our time.

That doesn't really matter, these guys I mentioned are all completely different players to Leonard, and to one another. I only bring them up because they're similar approximate body types and aren't really players that we think of as guys that get pushed around even though they're very different stylistically, they're just examples of how that size isn't really "small".

The two most direct recent comparisons would be Bennett and McTavish, I'm not gonna be a stickler about exactly sub 6'0 given Leonard was measured at 5'11.75 at the combine, and Bennett was famously the "can't do pull-ups" guy, so it's not like we're talking about hulking behemoths here, just an archetype and those guys are superficially similar. McTavish is heavier, Leonard is faster.

Otherwise idk, it's just tricky to really say because if I named other 5'10-5'11 prospects who were drafted high and produced the response will just be that they were more "skilled" than Leonard, because this is ultimately about semantics around terms like "power game" and "skill player", and essentially about branding rather than his actual skillset.

You're looking for me to list 5'11 power forwards who crash and bang like Corey Perry but that's not really Leonard's game either. He plays physical and has a nasty element but foundationally he's a fast forward with slick hands and a good shot who grew a ton as a playmaker the his year.

 

[malcb33]

This is obviously with 5 included. 5 + 31 + 37 for 4. Thought it didn't need to be said.

If it was that easy I'm sure Huges would have already done it.

Moving into the top 4 would cost a lot more IMO. It's not just moving up one spot, it would be moving into the top tier of the draft, which would be very costly.

 

[montreal]

This is obviously with 5 included. 5 + 31 + 37 for 4. Thought it didn't need to be said.

that would be terrible value as well. Massive overpay to move up 1 spot.

 

[Gravity]

that would be terrible value as well. Massive overpay to move up 1 spot.

We have tons of quantity. I'd rather pay the premium price to secure the franchise player.

 

[Goldenhands]

That's fair. I also value D like Reinbacher more than a ASP when it comes to no. 1 D. For example, Weber was the no. 1 D for team Canada and dude had average offensive skills and an amazing shot. So while some people here are crapping all over Reinbacher, I'm actually closer to you but I still have him outside the top 5

I think Reinbacher's offensive tools and upside are underrated. His transitional skills especially are phenomenal for a 18 yrs old kid, he can skate with the puck, can make short effective little passes, can make long outlet passes, kid is just really smart and already a presence on the ice. I think he will only keep getting better at everything.

 

[montreal]

We have tons of quantity. I'd rather pay the premium price to secure the franchise player.

that's fair. I'm a huge Smith fan so getting him would have been sick.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

View attachment 722347

We DoNt nEeD tHis In mONtReAL

 

[Lockin17]

If we get Carlson at 5, out center depth will be solved for a decade

Smith as well, Suzuki, Dach, Smith, Beck not too bad either

 

[Runner77]

We have tons of quantity. I'd rather pay the premium price to secure the franchise player.

Precisely. This can’t be emphasized enough. We need premium assets, esp. an elite goal scorer.

 

[Jabba11]

We DoNt nEeD tHis In mONtReAL

champs. Love it

 

[Habsfan18]

There are a hell of a lot of possibilities tomorrow with the top 10.

3. Columbus rumoured to be interested in both Smith and Carlsson. Smith gaining late traction.

4. San Jose linked to Smith, Carlsson, Michkov, Leonard, Reinbacher.

5. Habs linked to Smith, Leonard, Reinbacher with outside mentions of Michkov and Benson. Carlsson would likely be a run to the podium situation.

6. Arizona linked to Reinbacher, Leonard and Dvorsky.

7. Philly linked to Michkov, Leonard, Reinbacher, Benson and Dvorsky.

8. Washington linked to Michkov and Dvorsky.

Detroit and St. Louis haven’t heard much but I imagine Sandin-Pellikka, Benson, Wood, and Moore are options there.

The most exciting part of this is always the crazy speculation and possibilities and then to see it actually unfold.

 

[HabbyGuy]

Is this true? The habs haven't even interviewed Leonard?

"Leonard is not a stretch to be drafted by the Canadiens at fifth overall. The 18-year old has not spoken to the organization since he arrived in Nashville on Monday night. "

Nevermind.. I assume it was done at the combine instead.

Brain fart. lol