Prospect Info: 2023 NHL Draft - Potential Selection Discussion

[Coaches Coroner]

Ok now do the list of big players that went fruitless

Ya, I just don't get what their position is supposed anymore other than contrarian for the sake of it or inability to admit to the holes poked in their position,, as no one is advocating for a "draft small" strategy. They just keep back pedaling and moving the goal posts and setting up strawmen, then doubling down when their argument is shown to be flimsy. Started with basically backing a "we need to draft size" argument and now is maneuvering his way into basically saying "we should draft the BETTER players than the WORSE players" lol. Like, ya, no shit.

Terrible? If I didn’t know any better I’d think you’re virtue signalling with the “terrible” comment. I forgive you. It’s okay if we see two sides of the box. I respect yours. Please respect mine.

I’m not literally saying always take a Canadian. I was quite happy when we landed Matthews. But when the players are projected to be close, I would draft the Canadian.

NHL player count by country 2024 | Statista

Canada was the country with the highest number of active NHL players as of March 2024.

www.statista.com

Must be something in our water?

lmao if that counts a "virtue signaling", then your 'prioritize a Canadian' schtick is probably a dog whistle.

 

[Fogelhund]

I think Dubas overall did a pretty good job drafting, and selected some kids that will help us down the road. That being said, I do think a prospect pool needs some balance to it. You want the best players you can at the draft, but if it's close, and you have a need somewhere, then go with the need. Pointing out... I do mean close. Dubas did early on pick players that were too similar... though the last couple of years, less so. Maybe he was learning, or maybe it's just the way things worked out with his methodology... after all, these are relatively small sample sizes.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I think Dubas overall did a pretty good job drafting, and selected some kids that will help us down the road. That being said, I do think a prospect pool needs some balance to it. You want the best players you can at the draft, but if it's close, and you have a need somewhere, then go with the need. Pointing out... I do mean close. Dubas did early on pick players that were too similar... though the last couple of years, less so. Maybe he was learning, or maybe it's just the way things worked out with his methodology... after all, these are relatively small sample sizes.

Were they really all that similar though?

Lisowsky, Miettinen, Ovchinnikov, Kizimov, and Robertson are somewhat similar.

Miller, Voit, Grebyonkin, and Abruzzese are somewhat similar. SDA is kind of a unique guy as he is the only one who is really a true perimeter playmaker, but he would be closest to those 4.

Amirov, Moldenhauer, Minten, Hirvonen, Holmberg, Schingoethe, Abramov, and Tverberg would likely fill similar roles, albeit some as centers and others as wingers. Knies is sort of a combination of this category and the first category.

Kokkonen, Kral, Villeneuve, Koster, and Niemela can all different roles in different ways. Durzi, Rindell, Fusco, and Hollowell were more offensive but Durzi was gone before most of those guys were brought in and the others were hardly high end prospects at any point.

If we had even half of these guys turn into legit NHLers, we are doing better than most teams... And we'd have a lot of valuable trade chips to use for other trades. We probably could use a few more centers and defensemen in general, but wingers, we have various types. Maybe not a ton of physical power-forward types, but there have also been very few good ones to draft over the past few years anyways.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Is Bob McKenzie just not gonna do his final rankings this year? The draft is just days away and he hasn’t released them yet. He usually drops his final rankings right after the Mem Cup.

 

[nuck]

Is Bob McKenzie just not gonna do his final rankings this year? The draft is just days away and he hasn’t released them yet. He usually drops his final rankings right after the Mem Cup.

"TSN’s final 2023 Draft Rankings of 80+ prospects will be released in June, a week prior to the June 28-29 draft."

I believe this from May refers to Bob's final.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Is Bob McKenzie just not gonna do his final rankings this year? The draft is just days away and he hasn’t released them yet. He usually drops his final rankings right after the Mem Cup.

Is he still relevant, he's been away from the game awhile and though his rankings come from a plethora of scouts which he then compiles into one list perhaps it may not be the same

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Is he still relevant, he's been away from the game awhile and though his rankings come from a plethora of scouts which he then compiles into one list perhaps it may not be the same

He's semi retired only comes at major things like Trade deadline and some leafs games and draft

 

[horner]

Would be happy if we drafted in the 1st rd

Bonk D Brodie type of dman and playing for a great program and coach

Gauthier C in the mold of ORielly tough like his father Dennis Gauthier

If we get an extra pick in the 4th rd
Cowen from the London Knights

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Would be happy if we drafted in the 1st rd

Bonk D Brodie type of dman and playing for a great program and coach

Gauthier C in the mold of ORielly tough like his father Dennis Gauthier

If we get an extra pick in the 4th rd
Cowen from the London Knights

Cowen is probably not making it to the 4th anymore. He seems like a solid 3rd round pick type at this point.

Gauthier is not a center. He is a RW. And while he does play a fairly robust and tenacious game, he is not physical like his father. He plays a lot like Konecny, which is still more than good enough for me to consider him at 28.

Bonk doesn't have 1st round upside to me. Otten describes it best: Very smart player, but that is about it. Offensive tools are probably capped at 30 points... Maybe 40 points if he joins the right system and really exceeds expectations. Skating will need some work, but should be fine enough to make the NHL in ~4 years. Solid size that he can use well in defensive situations but I don't think he will be laying out crushing hits very often. All-in-all, a guy you would be happy to get if you traded down but I think 28 is a reach for him.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Who are the kaprizov or O'reilly or stone style player in this upcoming draft?

As the skill is there but it'll be a while and it's on development to figure it out. Reason I ask is because likely trading the first to get more picks or assets?

 

[RomanianLeafs]

I want Stramel or Halltunen..also i saw Sale dropping to 25 28 în some mock drafts

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Who are the kaprizov or O'reilly or stone style player in this upcoming draft?

As the skill is there but it'll be a while and it's on development to figure it out. Reason I ask is because likely trading the first to get more picks or assets?

Kaprizov only fell because he was in a random part of Russia that NHL teams didn't bother to scout even though it has now produced Orlov, Kaprizov, Sorokin, and Bobrovsky. A lot of teams have sucked, and continue to suck, drafting in Russia... And with the war, I wouldn't be surprised if a good chunk of teams do not scout in Russia at all right now. Bobrovsky is especially funny because unless teams only watched Orlov based on his WJC U18's or 7 games in the MHL, then Bobrovsky was in net for that team putting up a .927 as a 21 year old (and therefore was still draft eligible) in the KHL despite said team barely putting up double-digit wins that year. Or they could have watched Bobrovsky put up a .919 in the U20's the year before as he led a fairly underwhelming Russian team to a bronze and was a top-3 player on his team. And how many random goalie prospects did teams take each year that almost always amounted to absolutely nothing almost immediately?

Stone got hurt in his draft year. Not exactly sure if there is a guy like him in this draft. Probably the closest is Yegor Rimashevsky? Peddle or Miedema make sense if you want to bet on raw tools that need a fair bit of work to come together. Or Cole Brown/Alex Pharand, but they have lower upside. Colby Barlow is probably the closest comparable overall, but he should be taken in the top 15. Sale is also somewhat comparable but I do not love him enough to trade up for him, and that is likely what is required to get him.

Closest thing to ROR is probably Calum Ritchie, but it would be dumb for teams to let him drop far outside of the top 15. Next closest to them is probably Charlie Stramel, Danny Nelson, David Edstrom, Anton Wahlberg, and Martin Misiak, but Edstrom is the only one who looks like a lock at center in the NHL and only Stramel is a top 50 talent in my book (but late 30's at the most). They are closer to Minten-caliber prospects with perhaps some having slightly higher ceilings or slightly lower floors. Good options if we trade down and get some late 2nd/early 3rd round picks.

 

[The Podium]

Please don’t infraction me mods. I’ll give you my source if you need it.

Came across some inside info, most of the guys the Leafs are looking at are D. The only forward in their 1st range they hosted with an extra skate/interview was Matthew Wood.

Apparently they spent a lot of time with Bonk and Willander

Looking at guys with late 2nd round rank guys too, so a trade down seems possible.

 

[Fogelhund]

Please don’t infraction me mods. I’ll give you my source if you need it.

Came across some inside info, most of the guys the Leafs are looking at are D. The only forward in their 1st range they hosted with an extra skate/interview was Matthew Wood.

Apparently they spent a lot of time with Bonk and Willander

Looking at guys with late 2nd round rank guys too, so a trade down seems possible.

I doubt Matthew Wood or Willander would be available where we are currently drafting though.... as nice as that thought might be. Bonk would have to drop too.. though not as far.

 

[leafsfan2point0]

Does Bonk give anyone else Stu Percy vibes before his concussion issues?

 

[hockeywiz542]

Maple Leafs 2023 Draft Preview: Does Treliving have a bold move cooking?

With the Maple Leafs firmly in their competitive window, and possessing just one pick in the first four rounds, the 2023 draft story will be more about the club's present than its future.

www.sportsnet.ca

POTENTIAL ROUND 1 OPTIONS

When Kyle Dubas clawed back a late first-rounder (Boston’s, via Washington) in the Rasmus Sandin deadline deal, the former GM was quick to announce a willingness to trade the 28th pick in Nashville to help the club’s more immediate future.

Does Treliving take the same approach?

Or does he rifle through the bare cupboards Dubas left him with and start stocking?

Treliving appears to have hit with his 20-something choices in recent drafts, selecting Jakob Pelletier 26th (2019) and Connor Zary 24th (2020).

Trading the pick will always be a justifiable option —Matthews is entering a contract year, and we need to win now! — but drawing high-end young talent into the system isn’t the worst idea. Especially when you step back and realize the Leafs have already dealt away their 2024 second-round pick and their 2025 first-, second-, and fourth-round choices.

The Leafs aren’t deep enough prospect-wise to be positionally choosy.

Some highly regarded names who to be kicking around at the tail end of Round 1 include right-shot defenceman Oliver Bonk (OHL London); big centre Calum Ritchie (OHL Oshawa); power forwards Danil But (Yaroslavl) and Kasper Halttunen (Finland); and dynamic, playmaking pivot Riley Heidt (WHL Prince George).

 

[WTFMAN99]

Does Bonk give anyone else Stu Percy vibes before his concussion issues?

Percy had some heavy feet, not fast enough.

I haven't seen Bonk play at all so I couldn't say if that would be a problem.

 

[Dion TheFluff]

Please don’t infraction me mods. I’ll give you my source if you need it.

Came across some inside info, most of the guys the Leafs are looking at are D. The only forward in their 1st range they hosted with an extra skate/interview was Matthew Wood.

Apparently they spent a lot of time with Bonk and Willander

Looking at guys with late 2nd round rank guys too, so a trade down seems possible.

would be fairly disappointed if Bonk is the target. Nice getting a RHD with size but doesn't seem like a very high upside pick

 

[notbias]

Maple Leafs 2023 Draft Preview: Does Treliving have a bold move cooking?

With the Maple Leafs firmly in their competitive window, and possessing just one pick in the first four rounds, the 2023 draft story will be more about the club's present than its future.

www.sportsnet.ca

POTENTIAL ROUND 1 OPTIONS

When Kyle Dubas clawed back a late first-rounder (Boston’s, via Washington) in the Rasmus Sandin deadline deal, the former GM was quick to announce a willingness to trade the 28th pick in Nashville to help the club’s more immediate future.

Does Treliving take the same approach?

Or does he rifle through the bare cupboards Dubas left him with and start stocking?

Treliving appears to have hit with his 20-something choices in recent drafts, selecting Jakob Pelletier 26th (2019) and Connor Zary 24th (2020).

Trading the pick will always be a justifiable option —Matthews is entering a contract year, and we need to win now! — but drawing high-end young talent into the system isn’t the worst idea. Especially when you step back and realize the Leafs have already dealt away their 2024 second-round pick and their 2025 first-, second-, and fourth-round choices.

The Leafs aren’t deep enough prospect-wise to be positionally choosy.

Some highly regarded names who to be kicking around at the tail end of Round 1 include right-shot defenceman Oliver Bonk (OHL London); big centre Calum Ritchie (OHL Oshawa); power forwards Danil But (Yaroslavl) and Kasper Halttunen (Finland); and dynamic, playmaking pivot Riley Heidt (WHL Prince George).

Weird article considering the Leafs' prospect pool is normally rated above Calgary's.

I hope we keep it and aim at some higher upside prospects, but just a weird article.

 

[WTFMAN99]

David Edstrom, good size centre prospect? Seems to produce in every league he is in, maybe that's a 2C candidate down the road.

Profile reads like a Backlund type.

 

[SprDaVE]

Percy had some heavy feet, not fast enough.

I haven't seen Bonk play at all so I couldn't say if that would be a problem.

would be fairly disappointed if Bonk is the target. Nice getting a RHD with size but doesn't seem like a very high upside pick

He has average skating I'd say but likely projects adequate for the NHL. He's just all around really good. His upside seems ... boring maybe? Not sure I see that much NHL offensive potential but every time I've seen him he seems really good defensively, engages physically and can make plays from his own end. He could end up being a big time steal late in the first if his skating improves greatly.

 

[Warden of the North]

Has anyone done an average height/weight analysis of Treliving picks yet? Surely someone has.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Leafs just might draft Yanic Perreault’s son Gabe, who shattered Auston Matthews’ scoring record

While Gabe Perreault might be gone by the time the Leafs pick 28th in Nashville on June 28, there are reasons to hope and storylines to consider.

www.thestar.com

Three-time Maple Leaf Yanic Perreault believes his draft-eligible son, Gabe, is more than just a chip off the old block.

Indeed, Gabe Perreault is a lot like his father. He’s scoring by the bucket load as a teenager, his skating needs work (he knows it) and his hockey sense is off the charts.

“He’s got really good hockey IQ,” Yanic said. “One of his strengths is, he’s able to make plays at high speed, so his execution is really fast ... He’s really disciplined, really focused.”

He’s not the only one saying that.

The scouting world is also high on Gabe Perreault, rated as a late first-round pick for the NHL draft, which starts June 28 in Nashville. The 18-year-old forward seems to be taking that status in stride, having gone through the draft combine in Buffalo and interviews with various teams.

..................

There’s another link: Leafs star centre Auston Matthews.

Gabe broke Matthews’s single-season scoring record at the USA Hockey national development program with 132 points in 63 games.

“That’s something I thought I was able to do before the season,” he said. “And then as it got closer I thought about it a little bit more, and obviously it’s pretty cool having my name with a guy like that.”

Among this year’s draft class, only Connor Bedard produced more offence.

“This kid has eyes in the back of his head out there,” said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said of Perreault. “He’s quick and clever with the puck. His skating, the strength coach at USA Hockey did a real good job.”

“His skating has improved significantly from last year into this year. He picked up the good habits: to keep his feet moving, to always be in the right place at the right time. Just a pure goal scorer. He’s a kid that wants the puck on his stick. But he showed at top speed he can make plays, he can get the shot off, he arrives on time. He’s just a pure offensive, top-end player.”

NHL Central Scouting ranks Perreault 10th among North American skaters. Elite Prospects rates him 18th. North American Central Scouting had him 40th at mid-season, but chief scout Mark Seidel thinks Perreault would be a good fit for the Leafs.

“He may be gone by No. 28, but if he isn’t and the Leafs move out one of the Core Four, he could pick up some of that missing offence in a few years,” said Seidel.

Perreault’s self-assessment?

“I’m competitive, an offensive-minded winger. I like to create chances for myself and my teammates, and I worked on defence a lot. I think it’s something that’s improved. I think my skating will improve, just from being stronger, and I think that’ll make a big difference.”

 

[mydnyte]

Leafs just might draft Yanic Perreault’s son Gabe, who shattered Auston Matthews’ scoring record

While Gabe Perreault might be gone by the time the Leafs pick 28th in Nashville on June 28, there are reasons to hope and storylines to consider.

www.thestar.com

Three-time Maple Leaf Yanic Perreault believes his draft-eligible son, Gabe, is more than just a chip off the old block.

Indeed, Gabe Perreault is a lot like his father. He’s scoring by the bucket load as a teenager, his skating needs work (he knows it) and his hockey sense is off the charts.

“He’s got really good hockey IQ,” Yanic said. “One of his strengths is, he’s able to make plays at high speed, so his execution is really fast ... He’s really disciplined, really focused.”

He’s not the only one saying that.

The scouting world is also high on Gabe Perreault, rated as a late first-round pick for the NHL draft, which starts June 28 in Nashville. The 18-year-old forward seems to be taking that status in stride, having gone through the draft combine in Buffalo and interviews with various teams.

..................

There’s another link: Leafs star centre Auston Matthews.

Gabe broke Matthews’s single-season scoring record at the USA Hockey national development program with 132 points in 63 games.

“That’s something I thought I was able to do before the season,” he said. “And then as it got closer I thought about it a little bit more, and obviously it’s pretty cool having my name with a guy like that.”

Among this year’s draft class, only Connor Bedard produced more offence.

“This kid has eyes in the back of his head out there,” said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting, said of Perreault. “He’s quick and clever with the puck. His skating, the strength coach at USA Hockey did a real good job.”

“His skating has improved significantly from last year into this year. He picked up the good habits: to keep his feet moving, to always be in the right place at the right time. Just a pure goal scorer. He’s a kid that wants the puck on his stick. But he showed at top speed he can make plays, he can get the shot off, he arrives on time. He’s just a pure offensive, top-end player.”

NHL Central Scouting ranks Perreault 10th among North American skaters. Elite Prospects rates him 18th. North American Central Scouting had him 40th at mid-season, but chief scout Mark Seidel thinks Perreault would be a good fit for the Leafs.

“He may be gone by No. 28, but if he isn’t and the Leafs move out one of the Core Four, he could pick up some of that missing offence in a few years,” said Seidel.

Perreault’s self-assessment?

“I’m competitive, an offensive-minded winger. I like to create chances for myself and my teammates, and I worked on defence a lot. I think it’s something that’s improved. I think my skating will improve, just from being stronger, and I think that’ll make a big difference.”

I still remember that draft... Yanic Perreault outscored Lindros (and ended up playing more NHL games than him too) and the leafs had promised him that if he was available when they picked they would take him (3rd round was their first pick).
Thats the season the Leafs made one of the worst trades in NHL history losing the #3 pick (Niedermayer) when they traded a 1st for Kurvers (he lasted a season and a half)

 

[Peasy]

There is zero chance he is still there at 28 lol