HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[DramaticGloveSave]

If everything goes well we might arrive earlier. But there's the ''shit happens'' factor. Sometimes a playoff team on paper has a crappy year, there's injuries, there's bad luck, etc.

Agree, also finding a goalie will be a big part of it. A great goalie very often is the difference between playoffs or no playoffs, contender or pretender…

 

[Jaynki]

Agree, also finding a goalie will be a big part of it. A great goalie very often is the difference between playoffs or no playoffs, contender or pretender…

That is so true.

We have been laughed at for paying Price 10.5m, so were the Panthers for paying Bob 10M

Guess who should have paid for Frederik Andersen

 

[HabsForHire]

If everything goes well we might arrive earlier. But there's the ''shit happens'' factor. Sometimes a playoff team on paper has a crappy year, there's injuries, there's bad luck, etc.

Correct, my take was if everything goes well. We could suck fir another 15 years, who knows haha

 

[phillytennis]

I imagine they go Michkov if Carlsson goes to CLB. Doubt they do if CLB takes Smith.

The talk in San Jose is that expect to be weak for a few years. Logan Couture is 34 years old. They will have a top 5 pick for the next two or three years. They are willing to wait for three years for Mitchkov's KHL contract to run out.

 

[skidcells]

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 Higth ​ 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​ Hf

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​

What in Woods game makes you rank him so low?

 

[Habs Icing]

Well Grier was pictured sharing an ice cream sundae with Michkov recently, does that count as enough proof?

If they were sharing one sundae, its proof alright but not of draft preference. Of something more intimate.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

How would he compare to Seth Jarvis at the same age. I have a feeling they would have a similar impact.

Production-wise they're pretty similar in their DY. However, there are a couple aspects of Benson's game that put him a couple prospect tiers above Jarvis for me.

The way Benson creates offense is more projectable, with a more straightforward/no-nonsense game: attacking the slot with or without the puck, shooting for rebounds, creating from below the net with strong forecheck and retrievals.

In terms of defensive ability, they really aren't close. Benson will never be a liability on his line, and will alleviate his center's responsabilities. Jarvis is at best slightly below average imo.

Benson is a far more intense player, Jarvis is a bit more streaky and sneaky. I could sum it up by saying that they have a similar skill-level, but Benson is a much more complete and well-rounded player. For me, Cristall is more similar to Jarvis.

Edit: looking back at some Jarvis tape, he did have a really strong inside game, but I'm not sure it has translated (yet?) at the NHL level. He was more of a goalscoring threat but he definitely wasn't as good a playmaker as Benson. You'd like to see Benson have Jarvis' shot though.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

The sharks board is pretty much under the assumption based on grier's comments that it's between Carlsson if he slips and michkov (BPA seems like his only concern). So the question should be who would you prefer the Habs pick, Reinbacher or Smith?

 

[Mrb1p]

Michkov reiterating his desire to play in the NHL and talks of his presence at the combine/draft.
I'd take him over Carlsson/Fantili

Come at me

Amen brother thats where I have him too. 1B to Bedard.

POV: you don't have the guts to take this guy with a first round pick.

f*** hes good. Thats where the interviews come in, just like Wright. Without the knowledge of who he is and his motivations, I cant go against that type of talent.

What is Benson upside ?

Should we consider him at 5 above Michkov ?

I hope to see him at the memorial cup.

Any folks here who prefer Benson over Smith, and why ?

Top 5 winger. Not above Michkov, because Michkov is just a better Benson.

I have him ahead of Smith and had him there all year. He does everything that Smith does, but better and he has that and on top of it hes a bulldog, best forechecker in the draft and hes defensively responsible.

The only part of Smiths game that is better is his open-ice stick handling, Benson is better at small space because his hands are, probably, the fastest in the draft. Overall they are both A+ stickhandlers, one could say Smith is more dynamic with it, Id say youre looking at a Kovalev/Datsyuk situation.

Bensons skating is superior, they both shoot good enough for 30, but Bensons inside game goal scoring is 100% superior.

benson just got 1st star of the game last night.




Sadly the Tbirds are very, very stacked so they lost.

How would he compare to Seth Jarvis at the same age. I have a feeling they would have a similar impact.

I loved Jarvis and I still think he develops into a useful winger (Hes the same age as Guhle, so hes very young.) But Benson is just a much better player. Benson is a play driver through and through, Jarvis was always more of a support player. The main difference is their IQ and Bensons stickhandling+edges combo in small space. He is f***ing dangerous.

 

[Nedved]

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​

Thanks for including your potential of becoming a bust. I really like how you just choose what you feel is right. I'm starting to lean towards Reinbacher if Michkov or Carlsson are not available at 5. He does seem like a top bet for a #2.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

I do wonder if Carlsson will drop due to the interviews, and we can grab him at 5

Not saying it is fair, but his stutter and lack of a Slafkovsky personality could make some teams hesitant.

If a team sees his stutter as being a potential disability on the ice, making it hard to communicate, they could lean Smith if they want a typical American for marketing reasons

 

[Vachon23]

Benson is a good player, but we have many players who are similar in the system.

Nick Suzuki, Joshua Roy, Sean Farrell and Riley Kidney...

I also believe Slaf is going to develop as more of a stationary player.

We need more dynamic players who will create something out of nothing.

If I want to pick a more cerebral player, I'd rather him be a 6'3 mammoth like Carlsson.

Tell me you haven’t watch Benson without saying it…

 

[NotProkofievian]

f*** hes good. Thats where the interviews come in, just like Wright. Without the knowledge of who he is and his motivations, I cant go against that type of talent.

Just imagine drafting the next Juulsen ahead of him, and watching the guy bust anyways despite being the ''safer pick.'' Cringe and beta.

 

[Vachon23]

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

You can’t guarantee that… No one can.

The only guarantee in Michkov case, it’s that they are no guarantee

 

[McGees]

Maybe it’s the cheerios talking but I don’t see us in the top 10 again for years like most.
We lost a bazillion man games and came in 5th (very close to 6-7th) and PLD may be coming now.
The heavy part of tank is over that’s why I was so disappointed to not get a higher pick.

 

[SwiftyHab]

Question on positional needs. If we trade for for PLD, can we assume that we’re fairly set at centre given that we’ll have Suzuki, Dach, PLD and Beck as our future along with Dvorak, Evans, Kidney, and Mesar as more questionable centre option?

If that’s the case, then maybe we are focusing on wingers, D-men, and goalies to a lesser extent

Maybe it’s the cheerios talking but ….

That made me laugh out loud

 

[Skip Bayless]

Tell me you haven’t watch Benson without saying it…

I've watched Benson since he was 15-16. I've seen so many players like him through the years, who dominate in juniors, but due the skating being just average to above average, their dominance just doesn't translate into the NHL...Kind of what we see with Suzuki. Good players, but not jedi level like in junior.

I'm not looking to pick that at #5 and much less in the body of a dwarf.

 

[Mrb1p]

Question on positional needs. If we trade for for PLD, can we assume that we’re fairly set at centre given that we’ll have Suzuki, Dach, PLD and Beck as our future along with Dvorak, Evans, Kidney, and Mesar as more questionable centre option?

If that’s the case, then maybe we are focusing on wingers, D-men, and goalies to a lesser extent


That made me laugh out loud

The Habs need talent, worry about position and playstyle when you have that talent.

I've watched Benson since he was 15-16. I've seen so many players like him through the years, who dominate in juniors, but due the skating being just above average, their dominance just doesn't translate into the NHL...Kind of what we see with Suzuki. Good players, but not jedi level like in junior.

I'm not looking to pick that at #5.

Suzuki would be picked 5th in a 2017 redraft. Really makes you think.

 

[Vachon23]

I've watched Benson since he was 15-16. I've seen so many players like him through the years, who dominate in juniors, but due the skating being just average to above average, their dominance just doesn't translate into the NHL...Kind of what we see with Suzuki. Good players, but not jedi level like in junior.

I'm not looking to pick that at #5 and much less in the body of a dwarf.

All those guys you name plays a low tempo game and Benson play a high tempo game. Will Smith look more like those guys then Benson

 

[Skip Bayless]

The Habs need talent, worry about position and playstyle when you have that talent.


Suzuki would be picked 5th in a 2017 redraft. Really makes you think.

Makar
Heiskanen
Robertson
Pettersson
Hischier
Thomas

Sweet dreams.

All those guys you name plays a low tempo game and Benson play a high tempo game. Will Smith look more like those guys then Benson

Will Smith plays the game high tempo. It's why many scouts place him above Carlsson.

Benson looks okay in junior skating wise...but it's nowhere near enough for the NHL. He will have to slow down the game in order to playmake.

Good luck with that while being a dwarf. Limited impact.

 

[Skip Bayless]

You people are advocating for David Desharnais 2.0

 

[Vachon23]

Makar
Heiskanen
Robertson
Pettersson
Hischier
Thomas

Sweet dreams.


Will Smith plays the game high tempo. It's why many scouts place him above Carlsson.

Benson looks okay in junior skating wise...but it's nowhere near enough for the NHL. He will have to slow down the game in order to playmake.

Good luck with that while being a dwarf. Limited impact.

I mean Smith isn’t faster then Benson… and Benson plays a way heavier game

You people are advocating for David Desharnais 2.0

Or Claude Giroux/Brad Marchand 2.0

 

[Mrb1p]

You people are advocating for David Desharnais 2.0

I mean your schtick is funny at times but theres so much misinformation in this thread already, I dont think we need a guy trolling like that.

 

[Skip Bayless]

I mean your schtick is funny at times but theres so much misinformation in this thread already, I dont think we need a guy trolling like that.

Misinformation...You take your own opinion way too seriously.

 

[Mrb1p]

Misinformation...You take your own opinion way too seriously.

You would too if you were right so often people remember that one time you were wrong (because of injuries)

Will be interesting to see if Benson and the Winnipeg ice get to the Memorial cup and he shines there.
Will Smith moved ahead of him by shining at the U18s. Now it's Benson's stage. (Not that these small sample sizes are that imporant). He's just fallen out of the general conversation of late.

He probably wont get too because Seattle is just too good of a team, which sucks.

Winnipeg had one of the toughest road to the Mem. Cup I can remember in years. MJ, Sas and Seattle are all very very good teams.