HF Habs: 2023 NHL Draft part 2

[Pompeius Magnus]

Palat has a career high of 23 goals which he scored almost 10 years ago. I would venture to say that 23 goals would be a real down year for Leonard in the NHL. But I get what you mean that Palat is the straw that stirs the drink on his line, but I think Leonard can be a go-to player. He can be a pre-Chara hit Pacioretty.

He's much better at the same age, I was really just looking at the type of game he could play as a pro. A Palat type player in the first round would already make a team quite happy IMO, it's all gravy after that.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

David Reinbacher is back.

 

[Skip Bayless]

When I see Leonard play, I see Travis Konecny.

Quickness and skill with grit to their game. High tempo.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

When I see Leonard play, I see Travis Konecny.

Quickness and skill with grit to their game. High tempo.

Yeah, that's another good comparable. I can see it.

 

[Kent Nilsson]

David Reinbacher is back.

I’m really hyping up at the idea of building a team around the idea of having either Guhle or Reinbacher for 50 minutes a night on the ice and Hutson on the PP. Couple that with a deep forward corps (that doesnt necessarily have a superstar in it) and you can have a winning formula similar to the 2019 Blues.

Reinbacher = Pietrangelo
Guhle = Parayko
Suzuki = RoR
Caufield = Tarasenko

Add Hutson, Slaf, Dach, Beck etc and prob high 2024 1st with another year of tanking.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Yeah, that's another good comparable. I can see it.

He's the type of player that drives a line IMO.

Seriously, I'm pissed off because we can't draft at least two of Smith/Leonard/Reinbacher.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

He's the type of player that drives a line IMO.

Seriously, I'm pissed off because we can't draft at least two of Smith/Leonard/Reinbacher.

Depends what your definition of "driving a line" is. If you want to contend, I don't think you can afford to have him as the most skilled player on his line (unless it's a 3rd line, and then we'd be disappointed). However, he will make skilled players better and the output of his line is probably much better with him on it.

 

[SwiftyHab]

 

[Skip Bayless]

Depends what your definition of "driving a line" is. If you want to contend, I don't think you can afford to have him as the most skilled player on his line (unless it's a 3rd line, and then we'd be disappointed). However, he will make skilled players better and the output of his line is probably much better with him on it.

But Leonard is very skilled, he's not a spark plug like RHP. He's a legit scoring threat with his quick release and plays rarely die on his stick thanks to his IQ and puck skills, but he also plays the game with the determination of an RHP.

It's a rare combo and that's why some teams wont hesitate to pick him before many other Cs despite being a W.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

But Leonard is very skilled, he's not a spark plug like RHP. He's a legit scoring threat and plays rarely die on his stick thanks to his IQ and puck skills, but he also plays the game with the determination of an RHP.

It's a rare combo and that's why some teams wont hesitate to pick him before many other Cs despite being a W.

For sure, but if you're looking for an offensive star, say a top-20 producer in the league, chances are that's not him. That's not to say he isn't as valuable though.

Trying to look at Leonard's possible impact, for me, his low-end comparison is Jake Debrusk. Similar size and physical game, both excellent skaters although Leonard is smoother and more efficient (longer strides, sharper edges, quicker lateral movements), both have the shot to score from distance, both are extremely quick to finish in tight.

Now, what's interesting is Leonard's offensive game is much more refined and layered at this stage. With Debrusk, you're getting a shoot-first and crash-the-net guy. Leonard can do all that but, most importantly, he has the deception and playmaking to create for his teammates. He can play the North-South game, but also display high-end skill and vision. That's a really enticing package, to be fair.

 

[Skip Bayless]

For sure, but if you're looking for an offensive star, say a top-20 producer in the league, chances are that's not him. That's not to say he isn't as valuable though.

Trying to look at Leonard's possible impact, for me, his low-end comparison is Jake Debrusk. Similar size and physical game, both excellent skaters although Leonard is smoother and more efficient (longer strides, sharper edges, quicker lateral movements), both have the shot to score from distance, both are extremely quick to finish in tight.

Now, what's interesting is Leonard's offensive game is much more refined and layered at this stage. With Debrusk, you're getting a shoot-first and crash-the-net guy. Leonard can do all that but, most importantly, he has the deception and playmaking to create for his teammates. He can play the North-South game, but also display high-end skill and vision. That's a really enticing package, to be fair.

The way things are going, top 20 in scoring might mean 90 pts+...

I expect Leonard to be in the 70 pts range...but his impact on the ice will surpass his production by a large margin. Leonard has higher offensive ceiling than Debrusk.

Remember Radulov with us? He had like 50 pts, but he was by far the best player on the team despite Patches almost hitting 70.

 

[PuckNorris]

Those guys are not off the board.... HONZEK is off the board!

Off the board in the sense they're not part of that big 5 of Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Mitchkov and Smith that most people have mocked in the top 5

 

[_vivelequebec_]

I’m really hyping up at the idea of building a team around the idea of having either Guhle or Reinbacher for 50 minutes a night on the ice and Hutson on the PP. Couple that with a deep forward corps (that doesnt necessarily have a superstar in it) and you can have a winning formula similar to the 2019 Blues.

Reinbacher = Pietrangelo
Guhle = Parayko
Suzuki = RoR
Caufield = Tarasenko

Add Hutson, Slaf, Dach, Beck etc and prob high 2024 1st with another year of tanking.

Ideal scenario is Reinbacher is still available past 10th, and we trade to move up.

 

[26Mats]

Ideal scenario is Reinbacher is still available past 10th, and we trade to move up.

From 29, 31 or 32?

 

[_vivelequebec_]

From 29, 31 or 32?

Something like this + 37 + ? For Coyotes 12th.

Or, if we are not to pick Michkov, I make an open offer of 5 + FLA + 37 for 6 + 12. Problem with that is the trade as to be made before the draft begins, so who knows if Reinbacher would be available.

 

[Hannibal]

How many of them were playing for the richest team in KHL, the CSKA?

Mitchiv will come in NA. But not in 3 years. Thats my bet.

 

[Michoulicious]

We need that narrative to hold a bit more, if not no way Michkov is there at #5.

 

[BergevinBurner]

How many of them were playing for the richest team in KHL, the CSKA?

Mitchiv will come in NA. But not in 3 years. Thats my bet.

Michkov doesn't play for CSKA either.

 

[Hannibal]

Michkov doesn't play for CSKA either.

He was loaned to sotchi, but will play fir SKA.

 

[Michelangelo]

How many of them were playing for the richest team in KHL, the CSKA?

Mitchiv will come in NA. But not in 3 years. Thats my bet.

The first player on the list (Groshev) literally played for SKA last year lmao

btw CSKA Moscow is not SKA St Petersburg (Michkov's team)

 

[Hannibal]

The first player on the list (Groshev) literally played for SKA last year lmao

Thats why i ask the question.

But he was not on Michkov level.

SKA will present a bunch of millions to him to have him a couple more season.

 

[HuGort]

Ryan Leonard is a wildcard for the 5th spot. Look Matthew Tkachuk with Florida. Leonard will bring that type of game in NHL level. Slafkovsky and Leonard will bring what we wanted for years. The talented offensive players are Suzuki, Caufield and Dach. Complete that with Slafkovsky, Leonard and Dubois will be such a great thing.

But again, Matvei Michkov, Will Smith or Leo Carlsson should be the pick.

Leonard anything like Tkachuk he definitely guy we need at 5

 

[BenchBrawl]

Alright fellas, in the catastrophic scenario where Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Michkov are all gone at 5th, please persuade me about your 5th choice and why we should pick him.

Smith, Dvorsky, Reinbacher, Benson, whoever. Let's go!

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Will Smith is the right player.

I know everyone is on edge watching the Leafs talented players just play like chicken shit in the play-offs.

But you still need quick strike talent or game-breakers. There's one thing Will Smith did that Marner didn't do, and that's go to the net.

There's no concerns on Will Smith for me. There's more than enough surrounding players to mitigate his shortcomings and so much to gain by having such pure talent, IQ and vision on our team.

Haven't been that excited about Smith but I respect your takes and if you like him I'm reassured

Will Smith is the right player.

I know everyone is on edge watching the Leafs talented players just play like chicken shit in the play-offs.

But you still need quick strike talent or game-breakers. There's one thing Will Smith did that Marner didn't do, and that's go to the net.

There's no concerns on Will Smith for me. There's more than enough surrounding players to mitigate his shortcomings and so much to gain by having such pure talent, IQ and vision on our team.

I wasn't convinced on Smith but I really respect your opinion so if you like him I'm on the bandwagon too.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Who the f*** can claim with a straight face that Leonard is 40 pts winger or a 3rd liner? This is crazy talk. He has WAY more offensive talent than given credit for.