Prospect Info: 2023 NHL Draft (mod warning 1st post)

[Anaheim4ever]

Yeah i know its early but 2022 draft discussion started pretty quickly too last year.
So far its #1 Bedard and #2 Mitchkov but after that what are players you are interested in for the Ducks ?
I don't see Bedard falling like Wright did at all. Who will be this years Slaf and Cooley ?

Blanket warning to everyone - the season is over, the active tanking is over, and everyone needs to remember how to get along.

Polite discussions of different viewpoints is fine. Assertions as to who is a good fan, who is a bad fan, and most particularly trolling behavior is going to result in thread bans and warnings. The vast majority of posters here are great about this. There are a few of you, on both sides of this issue, who are trying to start things, and I would advise you to carefully consider if that snarky comment you just made is worth being your last post in a thread. I would advise the folks who think that making an even snarkier response to make that same assessment. Neither of your posts will be seen by anyone else for long regardless.

It is perfectly fine to not understand how anyone could root for the team to lose. It is perfectly fine to not understand how losing has strong benefits to the franchise king term. There are gaping holes in BOTH positions, that may be discussed and debated…POLITELY.

We are all Ducks fans. Time to remember that and stop being at each other’s throats.

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[Leonardo87]

Hey fellas, please try and refrain from the political talk, it was warned earlier, thanks

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Btw, Halttunen's stats in Liiga were very bad, but circumstances weren't great. His team HIFK was a mess for the first half of the season and no one was scoring. In the second half they got reinforcements and the top players started scoring. Halttunen spent most of his games playing around 10 minutes on the 4th line where he didn't have that many possibilities to succeed. Although he did have a lot of shots without scoring a goal, which was uncouraging. You would think that one or two would go in. Then again he performed well in other leagues and in tournaments as well. Based on his physical attributes, he should be able to play against men and he did have three points in three games in Mestis (2nd best league). So maybe he figures it out starting next season.

I've been looking up scouting stuff on Halttunen from scouting videos to write ups. Here is a scouting video that shows the skills are there for Halttunen as power forward, which is what I believe Verbeek is the vision he wants for the Ducks.



Halttunen's skating technique needs improving and I think that will help him against higher level competition. I'm guessing that his growth spurt surpassed his skating technique that he looks like he's flailing to push ahead. Maybe skating on a smaller NA surface doesn't expose him as much and suits that power forward game better as well.

Because he doesn't turn 18 until June, Halttunen probably has an extra gear to his potential. Central Scouting had an A rating for its 2023 preliminary ranking for Halttunen. At midterm rankings, he was ranked 9th. At final ranking, he's ranked 11th. I first stumbled upon Halttunen a couple of months ago in the 2nd round from tankathon mock drafts and never knew he was first round talent to begin with. Reading scouting reports, he actually had top-10 potential.

At 33rd overall, finding a top-6 scorer is scarce. I like Halttunen's size, drive to the front of the net, seen him throw some hits, and that offensive instinct. The gamble isn't who Halttunen is today, but what he could be in 3-4 years time when he's in tuned with his body, improved skating, and turning boy strength into man strength. At worst, he's a middle-6 power forward who gets to the front of the net.

I agree with you in that we don't like Halttunen's current team for keeping him up with their top tier club when they knew early he wasn't ready. The jump was too high a threshold to go from U20 to Liiga (like the NHL level for Finland) and probably could have been eased in at Mestis level (AHL level-like for Finland).

 

[Trojans86]

I feel like Carlson is gaining some momentum playing well for Sweden. May push for that #2 spot.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

I'm pretty sure that the #2 pick is going to be close to 50/50 on all the teams eligible to win the lotto. Sometimes it's best not to have to make the choice yourself. Just ask the Kings and Ottawa. ;-)

 

[Ducksforcup]

With the Bruins loss, the second round pick acquired from them gets slightly better...so that's something haha. I think it will be pick 60?

 

[robbieboy3686]

I'm pretty sure that the #2 pick is going to be close to 50/50 on all the teams eligible to win the lotto. Sometimes it's best not to have to make the choice yourself. Just ask the Kings and Ottawa. ;-)

I’ll just take bedard right now, so we don’t have to make a hard choice

 

[Ducksforcup]

If the Avs end up losing (looking good so far), that'll also help the second round pick acquired from them in the Manson trade.

 

[robbieboy3686]

If the Avs end up losing (looking good so far), that'll also help the second round pick acquired from them in the Manson trade.

Good looking out, completely forgot about that.

 

[cheesymc]

Ok Madden, make use of the better Minny, Boston, and Colorado picks. The players might be core ones when he gets his turn as the future Ducks GM.

 

[tomd]

If the Avs end up losing (looking good so far), that'll also help the second round pick acquired from them in the Manson trade.

57 and 60 (Avs and Bruins) 2nd round picks as of right now if I'm not mistaken.

 

[la patineuse]

One more week (and a few hours) until the draft lottery.

 

[Leonardo87]

Lottery one week away, Fellas!

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I don't think i'm exaggerating when I say this is one of the most critical drafts this team has had in awhile, Anaheim is going to have 7 picks in the top 100, they have a chance to really set this organization up well to hopefully start being competitive again soon I really hope the focus is on adding offensive talent up front

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I don't think i'm exaggerating when I say this is one of the most critical drafts this team has had in awhile, Anaheim is going to have 7 picks in the top 100, they have a chance to really set this organization up well to hopefully start being competitive again soon I really hope the focus is on adding offensive talent up front

I’m still hoping we use some of the extra picks next year and prospects that don’t fit what we’re building to move around this year draft (or get players/ prospects that fit with the core) and get players we want. I’d also like to see us trim more fat at draft day and add more assets to help those moves

I know verbeek said he wants as many darts at the dart board but I’d rather aim at certain players

I’ll just take bedard right now, so we don’t have to make a hard choice

Idk if it’s a hard choice…. I think it’s a situation where both choices will be good.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Wheeler released his post u18 draft rankings today on the Athletic. Couple of interesting tidbits included

- Michkov the "best prospect he's ever ranked third overall" and the "best Russian prospect since Ovie/Malkin in 2004"

- huge believer in Smith becoming a productive top six center and says that he nearly ranked him fourth over Carlsson

- has Smith's NDTP teammates Moore and Perreault up to 7th & 8th overall, and big Matthew Wood at #10.

- on the flip side he has Barlow (17th) and Danielson (20th) a fair bit lower than others

 

[rlstine]

One more week (and a few hours) until the draft lottery.

No big deal, only one of the most important days in franchise history...

 

[Gliff]

Wheeler released his post u18 draft rankings today on the Athletic. Couple of interesting tidbits included

- Michkov the "best prospect he's ever ranked third overall" and the "best Russian prospect since Ovie/Malkin in 2004"

- huge believer in Smith becoming a productive top six center and says that he nearly ranked him fourth over Carlsson

- has Smith's NDTP teammates Moore and Perreault up to 7th & 8th overall, and big Matthew Wood at #10.

- on the flip side he has Barlow (17th) and Danielson (20th) a fair bit lower than others

Thats way higher on Wood then anyone else. He was someone I was hoping the Ducks target with a late 1st if them get one.

I'm always amazed how scouts can completely change their tune on a player after a 7 game tournament, like the whole season they just played is somehow less important then these 7 games.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Thats way higher on Wood then anyone else. He was someone I was hoping the Ducks target with a late 1st if them get one.

I'm always amazed how scouts can completely change their tune on a player after a 7 game tournament, like the whole season they just played is somehow less important then these 7 games.

Sounds like he will probably be rising on a few lists based on that performance, and wheeler might have his out first.

I don't disagree with your point about how much weight one tournament should carry. But this particular tourny does mostly isolate them against their peers from this draft class and that probably makes it a bit easier to read into. You get all these kids who you are trying to rank while playing at all kinds of varying levels, and finally get them all in one tournament going head to head. It's too bad it can't be a longer event to provide more sample size.

 

[Mr Rogers]

One week out, i can't wait for it to be done with, but it'll be exciting at the same time.

Bedard speaks for himself. Fantilli might be the very best 'fit' of the 3 on the Ducks, powerful centres with skill are incredibly tough to find. Carlsson's hockey IQ and skill level seems to be very, very high. I'm fairly confident that any of these guys will become the Ducks' best player as part of this current core.

 

[DavidBL]

Are there any concerns that Fantili or Carlsson could be the next Byfield?

 

[HanSolo]

Boy... I think Smith would be a clear-cut #1 in last years draft. 19 points in 6 games in the U18, he could have Jack Hughes potential judging by numbers alone (i did not dig too deep, just taking this out of my rear end, lol. But he's damn good it seems).

This draft is ridiculous

I mean let's call that ultimate upside. He's got a long way to go to be a superstar in the NHL.

Are there any concerns that Fantili or Carlsson could be the next Byfield?

Fantilli seems to be a bit selfish with the puck but that can be coached. His pass execution is inconsistent but that's not weird for a freshman in the NCAA. He had the tenacity and talent to lead the league as an 18 year old.

Carlsson is a big body with a great brain for the game and strong puck skills. I think he's the more likely of the two to bust if he absolutely struggles to adapt to NA hockey but that doesn't seem likely.

 

[Gliff]

Are there any concerns that Fantili or Carlsson could be the next Byfield?

So I feel the same way about Byfield as I did during his draft year. I never understood the hype. His stats were good but they weren't unbelievable enough to forget the eye test. If you watched his highlights it was insane how many of his points came off the rush. It was like watching a highlight real of Etem in the WHL. Everything was off the rush. His size/skating was too good to pass up.

Fantilli and Carlsson have the size and skating (Carlsson is a strong skater and relatively agile skater, just not anything special) and have been producing against men. I have very little worry about them busting.

 

[ScarTroy]

Wasn’t Byfield kind of like Ritchie? Produced really well in juniors due to being much bigger than their opponents? Low IQ guys who did well because they were physically ahead.

 

[Mr Rogers]

Wasn’t Byfield kind of like Ritchie? Produced really well in juniors due to being much bigger than their opponents? Low IQ guys who did well because they were physically ahead.

That was my impression as well. Was Byfield even a lock to be the #2 pick?

 

[HanSolo]

That was my impression as well. Was Byfield even a lock to be the #2 pick?

Not so much a lock as a lot of people's favorite for 2OA.