HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[NotProkofievian]

If we draft Leaonard, I insist that we call the scouting team The Morons.

That's a way less cool nickname.

 

[Doublechin]

That's a way less cool nickname.

The only morons will most likely be those hating on the Leonard pick in this case.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Cant see the Habs drafting a winger at 5 in this draft.

I think we're definitely going forward, either center or winger. Our d prospect pool is in better shape, IMO.

Reinbacher would be great though.

 

[Goldenhands]

Do you think he will be better then Suzuki,Dach or Dubois? would prefer Carlsson to them but idk about Dvorsky maybe i just dont know enough about him but personally i prefer Michkov,Benson,Leonard and Reinbacher at #5

Dubois isnt a done deal, but if they are confident to get him, then Reinbacher is the one that makes more sense to me.

 

[Goldenhands]

I am high on Reinbacher and would definitely consider him at 5 but I'm curious to hear why you think it's likely Hughes picks him instead of either Smith or Michkov. I would think it's between these 2 at that spot.

Michkov its the whole situation that makes me doubt they will go there and I would pick Reinbacher over Smith quite easily personally.

I think we're definitely going forward, either center or winger. Our d prospect pool is in better shape, IMO.

Reinbacher would be great though.

Thats what makes draft day so interesting. We didnt know who was going to be the pick last year and its going to be the same this year.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Michkov its the whole situation that makes me doubt they will go there and I would pick Reinbacher over Smith quite easily personally.


Thats what makes draft day so interesting. We didnt know who was going to be the pick last year and its going to be the same this year.

This one is the most interesting draft I've followed yet.

 

[rabbit4949]

When I was a child I read this parable called Chicken Little. Until I read these 2 threads about the draft I was unable to appreciate the depth of this story. To see it come to life is remarkable.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Our Draft HQ is now open.

2023 NHL Entry Draft Headquarters

Welcome to your 2023 NHL Draft Headquarters right here at Last Word On Sports and Top Shelf Prospects. We have you covered.

lastwordonsports.com

Every decade or so, the hockey world is blessed with a generational prospect. It’s a lofty comparison, but the line of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid has found the next one. His name is Connor Bedard and he is the crown jewel of the 2023 NHL Draft. Coming from Vancouver, and playing for the Regina Pats in the WHL, Bedard has torn up the league. He put up 71 goals and 72 assists for 143 points in just 57 games this year. He also put up 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in seven playoff games. Unfortunately, Bedard and the Pats were eliminated in the first round.

Bedard has also been incredible on the international scene. He put up nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points in seven games at the World Junior Championships, helping Canada to a gold medal. He also helped the team to the 2022 World Junior gold medal. Bedard also helped Team Canada to an Under-18 World Championships gold. We won’t list his awards and honours, you can find them here. Suffice it to say he has basically been given every honour at the WHL and International levels.

Connor Bedard Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #1

Today we bring you our Connor Bedard Scouting Report: The undisputed gem of the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard is the next generational superstar.

lastwordonsports.com

Fantilli, born October 12th, 2004, in Toronto, Ontario, is a 6’2” and 187-pound forward in the NCAA. Playing as a true freshman in the University of Michigan, Fantilli has turned many heads. The young center has averaged nearly two points per game with Michigan. So far, he has posted 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points in 25 games. Before this season, he played two seasons with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Overall, he posted 55 goals and 55 assists for 110 points in 103 games with the Steel, where he won several awards, including the Clarke Cup as the Steel won the USHL title.

With the resume he has already built, which includes a recent gold medal with the U20 Canadian squad in the 2023 World Juniors, it’s clear he has earned a top spot in draft rankings. He is almost unanimously ranked second. In fact, all the following sites and experts have him ranked at number two: Elite Prospects, FCHockey, Daily Faceoff, The Hockey News, Bob McKenzie, McKeen’s Hockey, Craig Button, Recruit Scouting, DobberProspects, and Smaht Scouting. Only two notable sites or experts have him ranked lower, at third: SportsNet and Draft Prospects Hockey.

Adam Fantilli Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #2

The 2023 NHL Draft is a loaded one. Among the top prospects is Adam Fantilli. What makes his game so special?

lastwordonsports.com

Leo Carlsson, born in Karlstad, Sweden on December 26th, 2004, is one of, if not, the best European prospect in this class. Standing at 6’3” and 194 pounds, the Swedish forward has played parts of the last two seasons in the SHL with Orebro HK. In total, he has 20 goals and 32 assists for 52 points in 79 games in that span, playing in the top Swedish men’s league. This season, he has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 44 games, an impressive staline for an 18-year-old.


With those stats, Carlsson has been consistently ranked within the draft’s top-five (outside of one site). He has been ranked as follows by various sites and experts: third by Smaht Scouting, SportsNet, Craig Button, McKeen’s Hockey, Bob McKenzie, The Hockey News, and Elite Prospects; fourth by FCHockey, Daily Faceoff, Dobber Prospects, and Draft Prospects Hockey; and sixth by Recruit Scouting. What makes him one of the best players in one of the best draft classes of the last few years?

Leo Carlsson 2023 NHL Draft Scouting Report #3

The 2023 NHL draft class is loaded. Leo Carlsson leads all European skaters and has been up at the top with Bedard and Fantilli.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[LastWordArmy]

Michkov, born in Perm, Russia on December 9th, 2004, is a forward playing for HK Sochi on a loan, in the KHL. Michkov, who is just 18, has played parts of the last two years in the KHL. He has totalled 43 games, scoring 11 goals and 14 assists. The Russian right wing has also played in the MHL and VHL. At the VHL level, he has played 12 total games, with 10 goals and four assists for 14 points. Meanwhile, at the MHL, the Russian equivalent of junior hockey, he scored 68 goals and 39 points in 107 points across 84 career games.

That production is incredibly impressive for a young kid playing against men. He has been consistently ranked top-five, and that’s despite the “Russian Factor” that is usually cited. He’s been ranked second by Draft Prospects Hockey, third by FCHockey, Daily Faceoff, Recruit Scouting, and DobberProspects, and fourth by Smaht Scouting, SportsNet, Craig Button, McKeen’s Hockey, Bob McKenzie, The Hockey News, and Elite Prospects.

Matvei Michkov Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #4

The 2023 draft is loaded. With Bedard and Fantilli at the top, it also includes Matvei Michkov, arguably the best Russian since Vasilevskiy.

lastwordonsports.com

Benson was born May 12th, 2005, in Langley, British Columbia. He stands at 5’10” and 159 pounds and plays both center and wing for the Winnipeg Ice in the WHL. So far this season, Benson has scored 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points in 35 games. That puts him on pace for 111 points in 67 games. Last year, he scored 25 goals and 38 assists for 63 points in 58 games.

With those two seasons, Benson has been ranked as high as fourth by Smaht Scouting. Other rankings place him fifth (DobberProspects), sixth (Recruit Scouting, SportsNet, FCHockey, EliteProspects), seventh (Bob McKenzie), ninth (The Hockey News, Craig Button) and 10th (McKeen’s Hockey). On this writer’s unreleased rankings, Benson ranks third.

Zach Benson Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #5

Zach Benson is a 2023 NHL draft eligible prospect for the Winnipeg Ice. What makes him such a highly touted prospect?

lastwordonsports.com

The fresh prince of the US National Team Development Program, Smith is the team’s top centre. He recently led the American squad to the gold medal at the IIHF Under-18 World Championships. Smith scored nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in the nine-game tournament. Smith led the tournament in goals and points. He was named Tournament MVP, Best Forward, a tournament All-Star, and a top-three player on the team. This performance came on the heels of an incredible season with the NTDP. He put up 51 goals and 76 assists for 127 points in 60 games.

Smith also played in the 2022 Under-18s, winning a silver medal as an underage player. He put up two goals and two assists in four tournament games. Smith split the 2021-22 season between the NTDP Under-17 and Under-18 teams. He scored 31 goals and 33 assists for 64 points in 63 games. Smith is committed to playing his college hockey for the Boston College Eagles next year. Should he change his mind and go the CHL route, his rights are owned by the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL. They drafted him ninth overall in the 2021 QMJHL American Draft.

Will Smith Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #6

Will Smith Scouting Report: The Fresh Prince of the US NTDP led the American Squad to a gold medal at the recent Under 18s.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[le_sean]

What's the point of tanking if you're going to draft Leonards?

First he’s an excellent player.

Second, and maybe not so obvious to some, but we weren’t exactly tanking. Tanking is Chicago trading everyone away including good young players. We made it a point to keep veterans. The team just sucks and had a lot of injuries.

 

[WeThreeKings]

This board will implode when we select Wood at 5.

Only NotProkofievian and I will survive the wreckage.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

The great thing is that the Habs should be bad for another 2 or 3 seasons, so they should get some more high picks in future years. I can see them having a particularly hard season next year.
Assuming picks 1-4 go according to general consensus (a dangerous assumption...), I would guess the Habs would pick a really top notch forward prospect at 5, and there seem to be quite a few!

 

[AHShadow]

This board will implode when we select Wood at 5.

Only NotProkofievian and I will survive the wreckage.

I think I'd prefer Wood than Dvorsky or Leonard just based on potential. Still would prefer Benson and Smith over him though.

Curious though (and honestly have no idea), does it happen often that big guys that has as poor skating as Wood get drafted in the top 10? Obviously thinking about Robertson who dropped to the 2nd, but not sure if there are more recent examples.

 

[skidcells]

This board will implode when we select Wood at 5.

Only NotProkofievian and I will survive the wreckage.

It's between Wood or Reinbacher for me. Though I will nevertheless be fuming if we pass on Michkov for either.

 

[SlafySZN]

The only morons will most likely be those hating on the Leonard pick in this case.

They will all love him once he’s here.

 

[HuGo boss]

If Smith is gone let's go down with Detroit, #9 + #17 + #41 for #5 + #69

My preference is to draft whoevers left from the top 5 but if Hugo decides michkov is a ND then I love this trade ill be happy with any of Leonard dvorsky Benson reinbacher at #9 and at #17 hopefully one of asp, Moore, Perreault, Yager, wood, Danielson sale #29 hopefullt 1 of Willander But musty

 

[Draft]

Have we got the horses to get the most out of a player like Smith? Do we expect to see Smith develop into a more well-rounded player at both ends of the ice?

I think he's an outstanding talent, but I'm not sold on his ability to be implicated in all facets of the game or drive a line on his own. Based on his play at the U18s, he leans heavily on Leonard and Perreault in all three zones and a huge amount of his production comes from work done by his line mates. They work exceptionally well together, but I'm unsure whether or not this success can be replicated outside of the USNDP - especially if the U18s are a reflection of his league play.

I'm not against Smith by any means, but I'd want to be really sure that we have an environment where he can play his game and continue his success at the junior level.

 

[CheldishGamibno]

This board will implode when we select Wood at 5.

Only NotProkofievian and I will survive the wreckage.

Me too tbh, liked Wood for a while now, probably even more than Smith.

 

[Kennerback]

Me too tbh, liked Wood for a while now, probably even more than Smith.

He’s ranked very high in the CSS so obviously some scouts like him.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

This board will implode when we select Wood at 5.

Only NotProkofievian and I will survive the wreckage.

I kid you not. My first thought would be Kotkaniemi part 2. And I was a big fan of KK and I am a big fan of Wood.

My thinking is more like poor kid...

 

[CheldishGamibno]

Dubois isnt a done deal, but if they are confident to get him, then Reinbacher is the one that makes more sense to me.

Don't see the appeal in Dubois, never did.
Dude is not a gamer and will probably ask for 8M$/8yrs as an UFA. Wouldn't give him more than 6.5M$.

 

[The Great Weal]

The only morons will most likely be those hating on the Leonard pick in this case.

Saying we will draft the most talented prospect then passing on Michkov/Smith would be contradictory.

 

[Redux91]

This board will implode when we select Wood at 5.

Only NotProkofievian and I will survive the wreckage.

Lol, said a man holding a toaster in the bathroom

You seem comfortable with Reinbacher at 5 tho.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I think I'd prefer Wood than Dvorsky or Leonard just based on potential. Still would prefer Benson and Smith over him though.

Curious though (and honestly have no idea), does it happen often that big guys that has as poor skating as Wood get drafted in the top 10? Obviously thinking about Robertson who dropped to the 2nd, but not sure if there are more recent examples.

Bad skater top 10? Many names come to mind.

 

[SwiftyHab]

This is really interesting