HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[SlafySZN]

 

[Koivu11]

Dude who dropped him the puck has such a weird stride, lol.

 

[Gravity]

Unlike last year, we all seem to be in consensus that we want Carlsson this year. Hughes needs to trade up.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Rank​	Player​	Position​	Projection​	Bust factor​
1​	Connor Bedard​	Center​	Franchise/Generational	Low​
2​	Leo Carlsson​	Center/LW​	Sundin/Barkov level	Low​
3​	Matvei Mickov​	RW​	Elite level player​	High (external)​
4​	Adam Fantilli​	Center​	Top line center upside	Low​
5​	David Reinbacher​	RD​	All around no.1 defenseman potential	Low​
6​	Dalibor Dvorsky​	Center​	200ft. top 6 scoring center	Low​
7​	Ryan Leonard​	RW​	Top 6 scoring power foward	Low​
8​	Otto Stenberg​	LW​	Versatile top 6 foward potential	Medium/Low​
9​	Will Smith​	Center​	Creative, offensively minded top6 potential	Medium/High​
10​	Nate Danielson​	Center​	2-way 2nd line center upside	Medium/Low​
11​	Oliver Moore​	C/W​	Dynamic all around 2nd liner	Low​
12​	Zach Benson​	LW​	Dynamic top6 pts producer upside	Medium​
13​	Gavin Brindley​	RW​	Versatile, heart and soul middle 6	Medium/Low​
14​	Axel Sandin-Pellikka​	RD​	Top 4 puckmoving PP QB upside	Medium-High​
15​	Gabe Perreault​	RW​	High skills top 6 potential	Medium/High​
16​	Anton Wahlberg​	LW​	Middle 6 power winger	Medium/Low​
17​	David Edstrom​	Center​	Middle 6 power center	Medium/Low​
18​	Colby Barlow​	LW​	Middle 6 scoring winger	Low​
19​	Maxim Strbak​	RD​	Top 4 All-around physical D	Low​
20​	Tom Wallinder​	RD​	Top 4 All around puckmoving D	Medium/Low
21​	Samuel Honzek​	LW​	Top 6 potential​	Medium/High​
22​	Carson Bjarnason​	G​	Starter upside​	Medium​
23​	Brayden Yager​	C/W​	Middle of the line-up	Medium/High​
24​	Eduard Salé​	RW​	Top 6 upside	High​
25​	Matthew Wood​	LW​	Top 6 upside	High​
26​	Jayden Perron​	RW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
27​	Riley Heidt​	LW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
28​	Gracyn Sawchyn​	C​	Dynamic middle 6 foward	Medium/High​
29​	Callum Ritchie​	C​	2-Way middle 6 center	Medium​

30​	Ethan Gauthier​	C​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
31​	Tanner Molendyk​	D​	Top 4 puckmoving D upside	Medium​
32​	Quentin Musty​	LW​	Top 6 upside	Very High​

Good list.

Pretty high for Strbak. I like him too, but he doesn't seem to have much offensive potential. I see him as a David Savard type. Not completely without skills, but won't run a PP, and will concentrate on the defensive side of the puck.

Really high for Stenberg too. I expect he goes a lot earlier than people think, but I'm really doubtful about top 10.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Final list right there.

Is that your list?

 

[Goldenhands]

Good list.

Pretty high for Strbak. I like him too, but he doesn't seem to have much offensive potential. I see him as a David Savard type. Not completely without skills, but won't run a PP, and will concentrate on the defensive side of the puck.

Really high for Stenberg too. I expect he goes a lot earlier than people think, but I'm really doubtful about top 10.

Yeah Strbak wont quarterback a PP, I see him as a great complement to a puckmoving D on your 2nd pairing, he is very steady and effective all over the ice.

Im not expecting Stenberg to go this high either, but I see alot of potential personally.

Is that your list?

Yep?

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

Michkov would be a star in this market and city. And yes, you have to wait a bit but his impact will be felt immediately with jersey sales etc. The true fans will be HYPED to get the next Kuch, Kovalev, Kovalchuk etc. this market has always loved and had good relationships with Russian players. Don’t screw this up

 

[WinterLion]

Rank​	Player​	Position​	Projection​	Bust factor​
1​	Connor Bedard​	Center​	Franchise/Generational	Low​
2​	Leo Carlsson​	Center/LW​	Sundin/Barkov level	Low​
3​	Matvei Michkov​	RW​	Elite level player​	High (external)​
4​	Adam Fantilli​	Center​	Top line center upside	Low​
5​	David Reinbacher​	RD​	All around no.1 defenseman potential	Low​
6​	Dalibor Dvorsky​	Center​	200ft. top 6 scoring center	Low​
7​	Ryan Leonard​	RW​	Top 6 scoring power foward	Low​
8​	Otto Stenberg​	LW​	Versatile top 6 foward potential	Medium/Low​
9​	Will Smith​	Center​	Creative, offensively minded top6 potential	Medium/High​
10​	Nate Danielson​	Center​	2-way 2nd line center upside	Medium/Low​
11​	Oliver Moore​	C/W​	Dynamic all around 2nd liner	Low​
12​	Zach Benson​	LW​	Dynamic top6 pts producer upside	Medium​
13​	Gavin Brindley​	RW​	Versatile, heart and soul middle 6	Medium/Low​
14​	Axel Sandin-Pellikka​	RD​	Top 4 puckmoving PP QB upside	Medium-High​
15​	Gabe Perreault​	RW​	High skills top 6 potential	Medium/High​
16​	Anton Wahlberg​	LW​	Middle 6 power winger	Medium/Low​
17​	David Edstrom​	Center​	Middle 6 power center	Medium/Low​
18​	Colby Barlow​	LW​	Middle 6 scoring winger	Low​
19​	Maxim Strbak​	RD​	Top 4 All-around physical D	Low​
20​	Tom Willander​	RD​	Top 4 All around puckmoving D	Medium/Low
21​	Samuel Honzek​	LW​	Top 6 potential​	Medium/High​
22​	Carson Bjarnason​	G​	Starter upside​	Medium​
23​	Brayden Yager​	C/W​	Middle of the line-up	Medium/High​
24​	Eduard Salé​	RW​	Top 6 upside	High​
25​	Matthew Wood​	LW​	Top 6 upside	High​
26​	Jayden Perron​	RW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
27​	Riley Heidt​	LW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
28​	Gracyn Sawchyn​	C​	Dynamic middle 6 foward	Medium/High​
29​	Callum Ritchie​	C​	2-Way middle 6 center	Medium​

30​	Ethan Gauthier​	C​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
31​	Tanner Molendyk​	D​	Top 4 puckmoving D upside	Medium​
32​	Quentin Musty​	LW​	Top 6 upside	Very High​

This is a great list. I really like how you did it. I think in many ways it resembles how NHL teams actually do this in that you really downgrade players that have an attribute that is a red flag. It's easy for us to just want to swing for the fences, but not as easy for a real NHL team. I think I can guess why you have downgraded Wood & Smith but what is it about Musty that makes him such high risk?

His release is insane.

Unlike last year, we all seem to be in consensus that we want Carlsson this year. Hughes needs to trade up.

I'm sure he will try... but it will be very hard to do.

 

[Jaynki]

Trust me, probability is at zero for #2.

Very high odds yes in favour of Fantilli number two, yes.

Zero, no.

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

I don’t get people saying Michkov may never come over. IMO it’s a guarantee he’ll be over, just a matter of when. His father wanted him to come over, that means it’s a dream of his and his fathers to play in the NHL. He’s obvs a huge fan of Ovi, Kuch etc. since he was a kid and him and Bedard have been compared and rivalled since their teens started, I think he’s going to want to be the next Ovi to the next Sid. You can’t pass on this kid

 

[Jaynki]

It’s easy to say from a forum and you can treat it like a video game but when this is your job/career - this pick is REALLY important for the rebuild - you better be 100% sure he will be coming over.

I 100% agree with you that this pick is really important. We cannot whiff it.

Michkov is an immediate star if he comes, have you think about the consequence of not picking him ? Better not whiff your pick if you don't take the obvious Michkov at 5.

 

[Goldenhands]

This is a great list. I really like how you did it. I think in many ways it resembles how NHL teams actually do this in that you really downgrade players that have an attribute that is a red flag. It's easy for us to just want to swing for the fences, but not as easy for a real NHL team. I think I can guess why you have downgraded Wood & Smith but what is it about Musty that makes him such high risk?

Thx, I have a conservative approach, maybe a bit too much for some, but Im careful when it comes to kids with red flags or question marks. A kid like Smith maybe have top line upside, but has alot to do to get there in term of strengthening and 2-way commitment.

Musty from the games I watched has a very low motor, skating and IQ issue. He clearly has talent, but turns the puck over alot under pressure and I find him a bit soft in his puck battles. Im not really a believer TBH.

 

[WinterLion]

It’s easy to say from a forum and you can treat it like a video game but when this is your job/career - this pick is REALLY important for the rebuild - you better be 100% sure he will be coming over.

This.

Not just with Michkov, but there will be guys who we think are great that will be ND's because there is a red flag and they won't want to take the chance.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Dude who dropped him the puck has such a weird stride, lol.

I was just thinking that. He looks like someone trying to get to the washroom before they shit themselves

 

[Kennerback]

Yeah Strbak wont quarterback a PP, I see him as a great complement to a puckmoving D on your 2nd pairing, he is very steady and effective all over the ice.

Im not expecting Stenberg to go this high either, but I see alot of potential personally.


Yep?

In some ways I see where you‘re coming from with Will Smith. I just see his offensive attributes being very impressive and easily Top-5. I feel his holes in his 2 way play and on the defensive side of the ledger can be dealt with. Dvorsky is superior in those areas but I don’t know how good he’ll be offensively.

 

[DiglettDangles]

Rank​	Player​	Position​	Projection​	Bust factor​
1​	Connor Bedard​	Center​	Franchise/Generational	Low​
2​	Leo Carlsson​	Center/LW​	Sundin/Barkov level	Low​
3​	Matvei Michkov​	RW​	Elite level player​	High (external)​
4​	Adam Fantilli​	Center​	Top line center upside	Low​
5​	David Reinbacher​	RD​	All around no.1 defenseman potential	Low​
6​	Dalibor Dvorsky​	Center​	200ft. top 6 scoring center	Low​
7​	Ryan Leonard​	RW​	Top 6 scoring power foward	Low​
8​	Otto Stenberg​	LW​	Versatile top 6 foward potential	Medium/Low​
9​	Will Smith​	Center​	Creative, offensively minded top6 potential	Medium/High​
10​	Nate Danielson​	Center​	2-way 2nd line center upside	Medium/Low​
11​	Oliver Moore​	C/W​	Dynamic all around 2nd liner	Low​
12​	Zach Benson​	LW​	Dynamic top6 pts producer upside	Medium​
13​	Gavin Brindley​	RW​	Versatile, heart and soul middle 6	Medium/Low​
14​	Axel Sandin-Pellikka​	RD​	Top 4 puckmoving PP QB upside	Medium-High​
15​	Gabe Perreault​	RW​	High skills top 6 potential	Medium/High​
16​	Anton Wahlberg​	LW​	Middle 6 power winger	Medium/Low​
17​	David Edstrom​	Center​	Middle 6 power center	Medium/Low​
18​	Colby Barlow​	LW​	Middle 6 scoring winger	Low​
19​	Maxim Strbak​	RD​	Top 4 All-around physical D	Low​
20​	Tom Willander​	RD​	Top 4 All around puckmoving D	Medium/Low
21​	Samuel Honzek​	LW​	Top 6 potential​	Medium/High​
22​	Carson Bjarnason​	G​	Starter upside​	Medium​
23​	Brayden Yager​	C/W​	Middle of the line-up	Medium/High​
24​	Eduard Salé​	RW​	Top 6 upside	High​
25​	Matthew Wood​	LW​	Top 6 upside	High​
26​	Jayden Perron​	RW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
27​	Riley Heidt​	LW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
28​	Gracyn Sawchyn​	C​	Dynamic middle 6 foward	Medium/High​
29​	Callum Ritchie​	C​	2-Way middle 6 center	Medium​

30​	Ethan Gauthier​	C​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
31​	Tanner Molendyk​	D​	Top 4 puckmoving D upside	Medium​
32​	Quentin Musty​	LW​	Top 6 upside	Very High​

I'm surprised at how much I like your list this year, after the absolute stroke yours gave me last year For the record I was with you on Jiricek but less so on Slaf; eager to be convinced otherwise in the near future. Good stuff sir!

I'm also convinced Willander will be picked top 20. In a D-starved draft, there will be a LOT of interest. I understand this isn't a mock draft list but it's consistent with how I see things playing out for him. He's my ideal pick at 29 but I think that ship has sailed.

Also, if the draft went per your list, I would be yelling so hard at my TV to trade up and take a chance at your Yager/Sale/Wood cluster...

 

[montreal]

Goal - 2:40
Assist - 10:14

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

Rank​	Player​	Position​	Projection​	Bust factor​
1​	Connor Bedard​	Center​	Franchise/Generational	Low​
2​	Leo Carlsson​	Center/LW​	Sundin/Barkov level	Low​
3​	Matvei Michkov​	RW​	Elite level player​	High (external)​
4​	Adam Fantilli​	Center​	Top line center upside	Low​
5​	David Reinbacher​	RD​	All around no.1 defenseman potential	Low​
6​	Dalibor Dvorsky​	Center​	200ft. top 6 scoring center	Low​
7​	Ryan Leonard​	RW​	Top 6 scoring power foward	Low​
8​	Otto Stenberg​	LW​	Versatile top 6 foward potential	Medium/Low​
9​	Will Smith​	Center​	Creative, offensively minded top6 potential	Medium/High​
10​	Nate Danielson​	Center​	2-way 2nd line center upside	Medium/Low​
11​	Oliver Moore​	C/W​	Dynamic all around 2nd liner	Low​
12​	Zach Benson​	LW​	Dynamic top6 pts producer upside	Medium​
13​	Gavin Brindley​	RW​	Versatile, heart and soul middle 6	Medium/Low​
14​	Axel Sandin-Pellikka​	RD​	Top 4 puckmoving PP QB upside	Medium-High​
15​	Gabe Perreault​	RW​	High skills top 6 potential	Medium/High​
16​	Anton Wahlberg​	LW​	Middle 6 power winger	Medium/Low​
17​	David Edstrom​	Center​	Middle 6 power center	Medium/Low​
18​	Colby Barlow​	LW​	Middle 6 scoring winger	Low​
19​	Maxim Strbak​	RD​	Top 4 All-around physical D	Low​
20​	Tom Willander​	RD​	Top 4 All around puckmoving D	Medium/Low
21​	Samuel Honzek​	LW​	Top 6 potential​	Medium/High​
22​	Carson Bjarnason​	G​	Starter upside​	Medium​
23​	Brayden Yager​	C/W​	Middle of the line-up	Medium/High​
24​	Eduard Salé​	RW​	Top 6 upside	High​
25​	Matthew Wood​	LW​	Top 6 upside	High​
26​	Jayden Perron​	RW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
27​	Riley Heidt​	LW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
28​	Gracyn Sawchyn​	C​	Dynamic middle 6 foward	Medium/High​
29​	Callum Ritchie​	C​	2-Way middle 6 center	Medium​

30​	Ethan Gauthier​	C​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
31​	Tanner Molendyk​	D​	Top 4 puckmoving D upside	Medium​
32​	Quentin Musty​	LW​	Top 6 upside	Very High​

Nice list, just gotta ask one thing, if Michkov was American and played in the USHL instead of the KHL, would you have put him over Carlsson? So basically with no context, is he a better player than Carlsson in your opinion?

 

[Goldenhands]

Nice list, just gotta ask one thing, if Michkov was American and played in the USHL instead of the KHL, would you have put him over Carlsson? So basically with no context, is he a better player than Carlsson in your opinion?

He was amazing 2 yrs ago at the WJC, well the 2-3 games they played before the tounament was cancelled due to Covid. He was in front of Bedard back then. he is an amazing talent no doubt, but I havent watched him much this year, Ive no idea how his game evolved. He is probably ahead of Carlsson in term of pure talent without the Russian factor yes. My comparison at that time was a Crosby like player in term of playing style.

 

[Kaladin]

I suppose, but tbh Leaf fans are so despondent right now it's not even fun to make fun of em, IMO at least.

Agree to disagree. I'm enjoying this immensely.

 

[Balthazar]

Rank​	Player​	Position​	Projection​	Bust factor​
1​	Connor Bedard​	Center​	Franchise/Generational	Low​
2​	Leo Carlsson​	Center/LW​	Sundin/Barkov level	Low​
3​	Matvei Michkov​	RW​	Elite level player​	High (external)​
4​	Adam Fantilli​	Center​	Top line center upside	Low​
5​	David Reinbacher​	RD​	All around no.1 defenseman potential	Low​
6​	Dalibor Dvorsky​	Center​	200ft. top 6 scoring center	Low​
7​	Ryan Leonard​	RW​	Top 6 scoring power foward	Low​
8​	Otto Stenberg​	LW​	Versatile top 6 foward potential	Medium/Low​
9​	Will Smith​	Center​	Creative, offensively minded top6 potential	Medium/High​
10​	Nate Danielson​	Center​	2-way 2nd line center upside	Medium/Low​
11​	Oliver Moore​	C/W​	Dynamic all around 2nd liner	Low​
12​	Zach Benson​	LW​	Dynamic top6 pts producer upside	Medium​
13​	Gavin Brindley​	RW​	Versatile, heart and soul middle 6	Medium/Low​
14​	Axel Sandin-Pellikka​	RD​	Top 4 puckmoving PP QB upside	Medium-High​
15​	Gabe Perreault​	RW​	High skills top 6 potential	Medium/High​
16​	Anton Wahlberg​	LW​	Middle 6 power winger	Medium/Low​
17​	David Edstrom​	Center​	Middle 6 power center	Medium/Low​
18​	Colby Barlow​	LW​	Middle 6 scoring winger	Low​
19​	Maxim Strbak​	RD​	Top 4 All-around physical D	Low​
20​	Tom Willander​	RD​	Top 4 All around puckmoving D	Medium/Low
21​	Samuel Honzek​	LW​	Top 6 potential​	Medium/High​
22​	Carson Bjarnason​	G​	Starter upside​	Medium​
23​	Brayden Yager​	C/W​	Middle of the line-up	Medium/High​
24​	Eduard Salé​	RW​	Top 6 upside	High​
25​	Matthew Wood​	LW​	Top 6 upside	High​
26​	Jayden Perron​	RW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
27​	Riley Heidt​	LW​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
28​	Gracyn Sawchyn​	C​	Dynamic middle 6 foward	Medium/High​
29​	Callum Ritchie​	C​	2-Way middle 6 center	Medium​

30​	Ethan Gauthier​	C​	Middle of the line-up	Medium​
31​	Tanner Molendyk​	D​	Top 4 puckmoving D upside	Medium​
32​	Quentin Musty​	LW​	Top 6 upside	Very High​

Good list, also #5, #6 and #7 on your list are the 3 most likely picks at 5 for the Habs... probably in order too.

Smith's a little low though. Benson at 12 I can see it. He's extremely overhyped around here.

 

[Kaladin]

Unlike last year, we all seem to be in consensus that we want Carlsson this year. Hughes needs to trade up.

Not worth trading up if we can just pick Michkov at 5 who is actually the better player, just gotta wait slightly longer.

 

[River Meadow]

Agree to disagree. I'm enjoying this immensely.

You are sadistic, sir.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

There's a very real possibility that we come out with Michkov/Carlsson, Willander, and But which would be incredible

You rarely get your guys late first. Last year my late first guys were Kulich and Hutson (humble brag) and we passed on Kulich and then somehow got Hutson a round later lol

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

He was amazing 2 yrs ago at the WJC, well the 2-3 games they played before the tounament was cancelled due to Covid. He was in front of Bedard back then. he is an amazing talent no doubt, but I havent watched him much this year, Ive no idea how his game evolved. He is probably ahead of Carlsson in term of pure talent without the Russian factor yes. My comparison at that time was a Crosby like player in term of playing style.

And just one more series of question for now, after watching reinbacher, where would you have ranked him if he went in the 2022 draft? Do you think he'll be more effective as an NHL defenseman than Jiricek? What do you think is his offensive ceiling?