HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[26Mats]

If we are passing on Michkov should take a massive swing for Wood - maybe trade back but feel like he will be a guy everyone will be saying why did he get drafted so late with his size and stats once he figures out skating especially with the smallish size of our forward prospects

Is our current top 9 smallish?

Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan/Heineman
Slaf -Dach - Gurianov/Ylonen
RHP - Dvo - Anderson

I didn't include Gallagher, Armia, and Hoffman because you don't make decisons about who to draft for the future based on washed up vets that aren't part of the future.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Is our current top 9 smallish?

Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan/Heineman
Slaf -Dach - Gurianov/Ylonen
RHP - Dvo - Anderson

Looking more at our prospects and where we will be in 2-3 yrs, I don’t expect 4-5 of those to be there then. We don’t really have anyone like Wood in the system.

 

[WinterLion]

I love Dvorsky. He is so clutch and has looked great every time I watched him. He is not flashy but I do feel like his skill level is being downplayed. He makes things happen.

 

[26Mats]

Looking more at our prospects and where we will be in 2-3 yrs, I don’t expect 4-5 of those to be there then. We don’t really have anyone like Wood in the system.

If I were management, I wouldn't make decisions based on mediocre prospects like Sean Farrell and Mesar.

But, yeah, getting 24 year old Dubois this summer or next would add much needed size to outmr future core. If you add Dubois, you don't need to worry about size with this pick. #5 overall can be small if this is the future top 6:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Dubois - Dach - #5

Plus, in the bottom 6, we have 6 foot prospects like Heineman, Ylonen, and Roy, plus RHP who plays big and long shots Kapanen and Tuch.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

If you don't want Michkov at 5, trade down. There is absolutely no excuse not to maximize value. If you're not going to pick the obvious BPA at 5, then trade down to a spot where you will. I want either Washington's 8th with other picks/prospects, or Detroit's 9th + 17th.

Pick the player remaining from:
Benson, Reinbacher, Leonard, Dvorsky.

Then, get a chance to pick Wood/Moore/Danielson/Barlow/Heidt...

 

[Sam I Am]

Dvorsky is getting over-scouted.

Everyone has their shiny new toys and all Dvorsky has done… is be consistently dominant against his age group (offensively and defensively), perform very well in a pro league, and be one of the best two-way C prospects we’ve seen in the last five years. He’s one of the youngest players in the draft, but he’s treated like he’s finished product.

Dvorsky gets dinged for his skating... but Wood has all the potential ceiling in the world despite the fact he's got the agility and turning radius of an 18 wheeler.

Despite the fact that Dvorsky has shown that he can be adaptable offensively against pros and productive/a driver with his age group, he gets criticized for not playing a junior style game like Smith... and at the same time Leonard is neither creative nor a playmaker and still gets put in that top-5 conversation.

He was my vote for U18 MVP and I think he's still got a ton of runway left if he can work on his skating and be encouraged to open up the ice a bit and be more creative offensively. In my mind, his floor is near a 2C, his ceiling is a two-way 1C that tilts the ice for your team. I'm very keen on the fact that he can be in the AHL and developing alongside our other best offensive prospects.

I'd have a very long look at him at 5.

Well put.

Dvorsky was dazzling at the recent U18s. Despite his late birthdate, he absolutely dominated the field. He's big and plays excellent defense to go with his obvious offensive skills.

I absolutely want to swing for the fences with Michkov, but If the Habs want to go in a different direction and favor Dvorsky over Smith, Reinbacher, Leonard and the like, it won't be me that calls for heads on a platter.

 

[SOLR]

If I were management, I wouldn't make decisions based on mediocre prospects like Sean Farrell and Mesar.

But, yeah, getting 24 year old Dubois this summer or next would add much needed size to outmr future core. If you add Dubois, you don't need to worry about size with this pick. #5 overall can be small if this is the future top 6:

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Dubois - Dach - #5

Plus, in the bottom 6, we have 6 foot prospects like Heineman, Ylonen, and Roy, plus RHP who plays big and long shots Kapanen and Tuch.

I think Slaf will be a 3rd liner of a long time if we get Dubois and play him on the wing, as he would be behind Caufield and Dubois (and I don't see him as the type of winger you can put on his off side at all). That doesn't make much sense, if you get Dubois it's to upgrade Dach at Center.

Caufield - Suzuki - Leonard / Dvorsky / Smith / Michkov
Slaf - Dubois - Dach

 

[26Mats]

I think Slaf will be a 3rd liner of a long time if we get Dubois and play him on the wing, as he would be behind Caufield and Dubois (and I don't see him as the type of winger you can put on his off side at all). That doesn't make much sense, if you get Dubois it's to upgrade Dach at Center.

Caufield - Suzuki - Leonard / Dvorsky / Smith / Michkov
Slaf - Dubois - Dach

I could see that top 6 working out.

But my point was, regardless of who plays with who, if we get Dubois we don't have to worry about having another small player in our top 6. I think we can have two players in the top 6. Cole is 1. But we could add another. So I wouldn't pass on Michkov or Benson if I thought they were BPA.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I think Slaf will be a 3rd liner of a long time if we get Dubois and play him on the wing, as he would be behind Caufield and Dubois (and I don't see him as the type of winger you can put on his off side at all). That doesn't make much sense, if you get Dubois it's to upgrade Dach at Center.

Caufield - Suzuki - Leonard / Dvorsky / Smith / Michkov
Slaf - Dubois - Dach

Not necessarily. Caufield can play both wings and he was playing LW mostly because Dach was also on the line and he and he's more comfortable on his strong side as that sits better with his style of play regarding puck possession. But Caufield could switch back to the side he's always played on and that would give him easier defensive positioning. Also, Dubois could play C. That's still an option. I don't think Caufield and Dubois will stop Slaf from eventually being on the top 6

 

[Balthazar]

Which 2023 NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36​

Which NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36

These rankings are based on pure skill and remove factors that could weigh into which player goes where.

theathletic.com

Benson fanboys won't like this one...

 

[Schooner Guy]

I think you are going WAY too far with this. He didn't get "exposed" at the U18. He was part of the first pairing. He has some issues but as a defensive D, he's worth a lot more than a 3rd rounder.

He was weak. The WU18 thread was full of live collective groans from those watching Team Canada games and posting about his challenges.

Defensive D? Yikes! There are guys in my beer league who could turn him inside out. He'll get eaten alive at the next level.

Furthermore there's been no positive trajectory in any area of his game and he's short by pro standards. His assets are that he shoots right, has strong leadership skills and is physically strong against teenagers. There are better ways to acquire a future captain for Trois-Rivieres.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I believe that Dvorsky is the type of player that he will produce more at NHL level. His profile is most encouraging than KK profile.

I'm 100% confident with the management Smith, Michkov, Reinbacher, Leonard, Benson or Dvorsky, they will select the best for Habs futur.... so i'm going happy with one of them.

 

[Hins77]

Is our current top 9 smallish?

Caufield - Suzuki - Monahan/Heineman
Slaf -Dach - Gurianov/Ylonen
RHP - Dvo - Anderson

I didn't include Gallagher, Armia, and Hoffman because you don't make decisons about who to draft for the future based on washed up vets that aren't part of the future.

I watched Vegas yesterday, the only one who was under 6ft was Marchessault. Montreal need size. I do want Michkov cause I think he could be our next Kaprizov. But, I don’t want Benson, even if he was playing well in the WHL.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I watched Vegas yesterday, the only one who was under 6ft was Marchessault. Montreal need size. I do want Michkov cause I think he could be our next Kaprizov. But, I don’t want Benson, even if he was playing well in the WHL.

Yeah Suzuki is thick so he's fine and Caufield doesn't need to be puck dominant, just a trigger man but I worry about smallish players that need to drive play/be puck dominant come playoff time.

 

[26Mats]

I watched Vegas yesterday, the only one who was under 6ft was Marchessault. Montreal need size. I do want Michkov cause I think he could be our next Kaprizov. But, I don’t want Benson, even if he was playing well in the WHL.

If Benson is the real deal, we would be fine with Benson. I can't say whether he's the real deal though. I just don't have the viewing quantity or the knowledge of how to project Junior players. Maybe he will be a Kaprizov.

 

[Hins77]

If Benson is the real deal, we would be fine with Benson. I can't say whether he's the real deal though. I just don't have the viewing quantity or the knowledge of how to project Junior players. Maybe he will be a Kaprizov.

Reinbacher before Benson for me. I know Benson did well in Junior here, but to have a 18 year old player already doing well in Pro league should be more interessting imo. And bonus, Rienbacher has size and play RD. A position that every NHL team need

 

[Draft]

I don't understand what is with the idea of taking a player who struggled at a lower pro level, and sticking him in a higher pro level. Dvorsky's last pro games were healthy scratches. If we do take Dvorsky, I will be very upset if he's anywhere but Sweden.

I hear the concern, but I think he’s better suited to the style of play of the AHL and I want him around our development team. It would be nice to see him dominate the Allsvenskan, but I don't think it's necessary for developing the player. If Kulich, Jiricek, and even Nemec can come from worse leagues and perform as well as they have in the AHL, I don't think it's off the table for Dvorsky/Reinbacher.

There will definitely be a steep learning curve, but if we can be patient with him through the year, I think it’ll pay off. There’s more direct control over ice time and opportunities - something we don’t have in Sweden. The context in Laval over the next couple of seasons is also very geared towards development rather than winning with lots of young players to work with. He'll have the resources of both the Rocket and Habs to draw on and immediate access to any skills coaches or facilities that could be offered. If he's going to be in a pro league, I'd rather we have a say in how much ice time/opportunities/resources he has access to.

 

[WeThreeKings]

If they aren't taking Michkov they ain't taking Benson

 

[26Mats]

Reinbacher before Benson for me. I know Benson did well in Junior here, but to have a 18 year old player already doing well in Pro league should be more interessting imo. And bonus, Rienbacher has size and play RD. A position that every NHL team need

I don't know enough about the nuances of Benson or Reinbacher's games.

But if I did, I'd go best player available, not based on need or size.

If it came down to the next Cole Caufield versus the next David Savard, I'd take the Caufield.

 

[Garnet76]

I watched Vegas yesterday, the only one who was under 6ft was Marchessault. Montreal need size. I do want Michkov cause I think he could be our next Kaprizov. But, I don’t want Benson, even if he was playing well in the WHL.

Size isn't the only way to win. Tampa made 3 cup finals and had a bunch of forwards equal too or under 6 foot and 200 lbs. Most being their top forwards. The trick in my opinion is to avoid soft players. Soft players come in all sizes.
We shouldn't follow the Stanley cup winner tread. I've watched teams do it for years and it seldom works out.

 

[Hins77]

Size isn't the only way to win. Tampa made 3 cup finals and had a bunch of forwards equal too or under 6 foot and 200 lbs. Most being their top forwards. The trick in my opinion is to avoid soft players. Soft players come in all sizes.
We shouldn't follow the Stanley cup winner tread. I've watched teams do it for years and it seldom works out.

I do understand what your saying. without russian favtor, I would pick Michkov at 2 even if he is small. But size remain a weakness when you value the overall player. I do take Benson into top 10. But ilo, Reinbacher has too many green light to pass on him.

 

[Kennerback]

Which 2023 NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36​

Which NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36

These rankings are based on pure skill and remove factors that could weigh into which player goes where.

theathletic.com

Benson fanboys won't like this one...

26. Zachary Benson, LW, Winnipeg-WHL​

Benson is super skilled and creative, with great vision and a strong motor. He’s also a 5-9 wing with solid, but not amazing skating ability. The pure tools don’t jump off the page at you, and I think a big reason why one would pick Benson high is his fantastic scoring track record and consistent performance at a high level in junior the last few years.

 

[Mrb1p]

Which 2023 NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36​

Which NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36

These rankings are based on pure skill and remove factors that could weigh into which player goes where.

theathletic.com

Benson fanboys won't like this one...

Pronmans a joke. Having Stramel, Barlow, Moore, Simashev, Willander, Dvorsky, Musty, etc ahead lmao.

Pronman literally just didnt watch Benson because he didnt play internationally and drops him, so frigging stupid I hate this guy.

 

[26Mats]

Which 2023 NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36​

Which NHL Draft prospects have the most upside? Corey Pronman ranks the top 36

These rankings are based on pure skill and remove factors that could weigh into which player goes where.

theathletic.com

Benson fanboys won't like this one...

The Michkov fanboys will like it. He ranks Michkov's upside higher than Connor Bedard's.

Not that I would pay much attention to Corey Pronman anyways before seeing that.

 

[Mrb1p]

Yeah Suzuki is thick so he's fine and Caufield doesn't need to be puck dominant, just a trigger man but I worry about smallish players that need to drive play/be puck dominant come playoff time.

Like Kaprizov, Kucherov, Kane, Marchand, Point, Aho, Teravainen, Jarvis, Zuccarelo, Panarin, Marchessault, Gaudreau, Gourde, Fiala, Mangiapane, Konecny, Keller, Bratt, Tolvanen and Barabanov..

Most of those players are flat out smaller than Benson, don't have the tenacity Benson has, don't have the hands Benson has, nor the vision and yet, they thrive.

Benson isn't David Desharnais, and even so, if a guy like Desharnais can have almost 70 points in the NHL...