Prospect Info: 2023 NHL Draft - Potential Selection Discussion

[KMNRB]

Latest mock by Pronman has the Leafs picking Sale. Any insights on him?

 

[LaPlante94]

I don't want anyone who's scouting report says they need to work on their skating.

That might be a lot of players in this draft then. Seems to be a lot who aren't the fastest and if they have skating as a positive it's most being agile.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Latest mock by Pronman has the Leafs picking Sale. Any insights on him?

Mark Masters: Eduard Sale downplays consistency concerns after 'tough' draft season | TSN

Eduard Sale readily admits this hasn't been the ideal draft year. Sale produced seven goals and seven assists in 43 games in the Czech Extraliga. He did not get on the scoresheet in six playoff games. The 18-year-old found it challenging to get in a groove against older, stronger players.

www.tsn.ca

Eduard Sale readily admits this hasn't been the ideal draft year.

"It was tough season," the Kometa Brno winger said. "It was up-and-down season. I think I have good games, but it was tough because I played against men."

Sale produced seven goals and seven assists in 43 games in the Czech Extraliga. He did not get on the scoresheet in six playoff games. The 18-year-old found it challenging to get in a groove against older, stronger players.



"The mentality of players, everybody was smart," he said, "and more physical than junior."

Given a chance to shine against his own age group at the end of the season, Sale couldn't really take advantage. He led Czechia with six points in five games during April's Under-18 World Championship, but the team lost in the quarter-finals.

"It was tough, because in the U20 we played very well," Sale said, referencing the silver-medal run at the World Juniors in Halifax. "In the U18, we played bad as a team. That's why some players can be higher in the draft, because we played bad."

The Americans claimed the gold medal at the tournament with their dynamic top line featuring MVP Will Smith between Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard boosting their draft stock.

"I didn't look at this," Sale insists. "I just keep going and be ready for the next season."

Sale downplayed concerns that his inconsistent play this season may be a harbinger of things to come.

"It was because I played with men," Sale stressed. "Last year, and years ago in juniors, I had consistent seasons."

Sale has been a consistent producer internationally with 29 points in 29 games this season with Czechia's under-18 and under-20 teams. Last year, he racked up 42 goals and 89 points in 39 games with Brno's under-20 squad.

And there were mitigating factors this year with Kometa Brno.

"It was pressure for manager and everybody," Sale said. "We lose some games, and it was a little bit different and, yeah, that's why I didn't play very well. The ice time, some games I played only five minutes. Yeah, it was tough."

Still, Sale feels he made progress. The 6-foot-2, 175 pounder feels like he proved something to himself.

"I can play pro hockey," he said. "I know I can play this. I didn't have so much points, but this is normal. Not 'normal' but I think it's okay because I improved many things. I felt better and better on the ice."

 

[SprDaVE]

Latest mock by Pronman has the Leafs picking Sale. Any insights on him?

He was considered a top 10ish prospect this time last year but seems to be falling because I think he didn't progress as well as hoped. He's offensively gifted with good tools and he's a really good skater. He can be inconsistent in his effort.

I would say if he falls all the way to our pick and we have the pick, Sale would be terrific value.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Mark Masters: Eduard Sale downplays consistency concerns after 'tough' draft season | TSN

Eduard Sale readily admits this hasn't been the ideal draft year. Sale produced seven goals and seven assists in 43 games in the Czech Extraliga. He did not get on the scoresheet in six playoff games. The 18-year-old found it challenging to get in a groove against older, stronger players.

www.tsn.ca

Eduard Sale readily admits this hasn't been the ideal draft year.

"It was tough season," the Kometa Brno winger said. "It was up-and-down season. I think I have good games, but it was tough because I played against men."

Sale produced seven goals and seven assists in 43 games in the Czech Extraliga. He did not get on the scoresheet in six playoff games. The 18-year-old found it challenging to get in a groove against older, stronger players.



"The mentality of players, everybody was smart," he said, "and more physical than junior."

Given a chance to shine against his own age group at the end of the season, Sale couldn't really take advantage. He led Czechia with six points in five games during April's Under-18 World Championship, but the team lost in the quarter-finals.

"It was tough, because in the U20 we played very well," Sale said, referencing the silver-medal run at the World Juniors in Halifax. "In the U18, we played bad as a team. That's why some players can be higher in the draft, because we played bad."

The Americans claimed the gold medal at the tournament with their dynamic top line featuring MVP Will Smith between Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard boosting their draft stock.

"I didn't look at this," Sale insists. "I just keep going and be ready for the next season."

Sale downplayed concerns that his inconsistent play this season may be a harbinger of things to come.

"It was because I played with men," Sale stressed. "Last year, and years ago in juniors, I had consistent seasons."

Sale has been a consistent producer internationally with 29 points in 29 games this season with Czechia's under-18 and under-20 teams. Last year, he racked up 42 goals and 89 points in 39 games with Brno's under-20 squad.

And there were mitigating factors this year with Kometa Brno.

"It was pressure for manager and everybody," Sale said. "We lose some games, and it was a little bit different and, yeah, that's why I didn't play very well. The ice time, some games I played only five minutes. Yeah, it was tough."

Still, Sale feels he made progress. The 6-foot-2, 175 pounder feels like he proved something to himself.

"I can play pro hockey," he said. "I know I can play this. I didn't have so much points, but this is normal. Not 'normal' but I think it's okay because I improved many things. I felt better and better on the ice."

Seemed like excuses but maybe language barrier.

 

[hockeywiz542]

NHL Mock Draft: Corey Pronman picks all seven rounds

Corey Pronman projects every pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

28. Toronto Maple Leafs: Eduard Sale, LW, Brno (CZECHIA)

It’s been hard to pin down where Sale will go. I’m not talking to a lot of NHL folks in the draft leadup who are saying how excited they would be to take him. At a certain point though despite his inconsistencies he’s way too talented to last much longer. If the Leafs decided to add at their blue line I could see Morin or Dragicevic as their type.

 

[WTFMAN99]

NHL Mock Draft: Corey Pronman picks all seven rounds

Corey Pronman projects every pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

28. Toronto Maple Leafs: Eduard Sale, LW, Brno (CZECHIA)

It’s been hard to pin down where Sale will go. I’m not talking to a lot of NHL folks in the draft leadup who are saying how excited they would be to take him. At a certain point though despite his inconsistencies he’s way too talented to last much longer. If the Leafs decided to add at their blue line I could see Morin or Dragicevic as their type.

Just from write ups and where we're picking, Rykov still seems like he could be a decent grab.

 

[JSn0w93]

Latest mock by Pronman has the Leafs picking Sale. Any insights on him?

At 28 I can live with it, but he's not my favorite prospect.

 

[Peasy]

Sale lacks compete and the Leafs havent really drafted guys that lack compete lately. But could definitely be worth the gamble at that range.

 

[SprDaVE]

Sale lacks compete and the Leafs havent really drafted guys that lack compete lately. But could definitely be worth the gamble at that range.

I feel like Aatu Raty is a good cautionary tale that effort levels can be deceiving depending on what's going on. It's definitely a good reason for a prospect to fall because it takes a lot of effort to make it to the NHL compared to Junior leagues around the world, but sometimes you just have to take the skill and hope they develop further.

That's why sometimes the interview process is important.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

I feel like Aatu Raty is a good cautionary tale that effort levels can be deceiving depending on what's going on. It's definitely a good reason for a prospect to fall because it takes a lot of effort to make it to the NHL compared to Junior leagues around the world, but sometimes you just have to take the skill and hope they develop further.

That's why sometimes the interview process is important.

You’re also dealing with kids/young men. Their maturity needs as much development as their game does.

 

[francis246]

My pick #28 Wish List:

1. Quinton Musty - by if by the grace of God he’s there at our pick or around our pick, we should trade up and grab him.

2. Ethan Gauthier - Goal Scoring Winger, production has gotten better 2nd year in QMJHL.

3. Oliver Bonk - Steady and reliable RHD. Not super flashy but high upside and can move the puck.

4. Lukas Dragicevic - More offensively minded, another potentially high upside defenseman.

I’d love any of those four.

 

[Mess]

NHL Mock Draft: Corey Pronman picks all seven rounds

Corey Pronman projects every pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

28. Toronto Maple Leafs: Eduard Sale, LW, Brno (CZECHIA)

It’s been hard to pin down where Sale will go. I’m not talking to a lot of NHL folks in the draft leadup who are saying how excited they would be to take him. At a certain point though despite his inconsistencies he’s way too talented to last much longer. If the Leafs decided to add at their blue line I could see Morin or Dragicevic as their type.

Craig Button TSN draft analyst has Sale ranked #7 overall.

Eduard Sale Hat Trick | Hlinka-Gretzky Cup 2022 | CZE U18 vs. GER U18​

 

[Mess]

......

 

[Mess]

As a Kelowna Rocket Season ticket holder I'm most curious to see where a Rocket will go in the 1st round.

Andrew Cristall, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)​

In following Trotz’s theme of taking big swings with early picks, I have the Predators using their second pick of the first round on another undersized, super-skilled winger who I expect will fall on draft day in Andrew Cristall. Cristall is probably the best bet to lead the WHL in scoring next year if he has a healthy year.

Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)

He has a ton of skill and a sneaky-good shot. Getting out of the first round with Cristall and Benson would be an absolute haul for a Predators team that looks prepared to take a small step back in order to allow themselves to take a big step forward again in the near future.

 

[SprDaVE]

My pick #28 Wish List:

1. Quinton Musty - by if by the grace of God he’s there at our pick or around our pick, we should trade up and grab him.

2. Ethan Gauthier - Goal Scoring Winger, production has gotten better 2nd year in QMJHL.

3. Oliver Bonk - Steady and reliable RHD. Not super flashy but high upside and can move the puck.

4. Lukas Dragicevic - More offensively minded, another potentially high upside defenseman.

I’d love any of those four.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those players. Musty to me is a notch higher because he's got the size + skill package. I don't know how he makes it to 28th and I don't know how you can pass up on him if he does.

And he's got a top notch name.

 

[LeafChief]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those players. Musty to me is a notch higher because he's got the size + skill package. I don't know how he makes it to 28th and I don't know how you can pass up on him if he does.

And he's got a top notch name.

I would love Musty in that range. It does remind me a lot of McGroarty and to a lesser extent, Snuggerud last year who won't end up making it to the Leafs pick.

 

[francis246]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of those players. Musty to me is a notch higher because he's got the size + skill package. I don't know how he makes it to 28th and I don't know how you can pass up on him if he does.

And he's got a top notch name.

Imagine having a left side of Musty, Knies and Robertson all on cheap contracts. We can only wish.

I wanted to ask you since you follow a bit better. What are your thoughts on Nadeau? Do you think he’s got a realistic shot of becoming an impact player? He reminds me a lot of a smaller Kyle Connor coming out of the USHL. I like his upside, if all other players I suggested were gone at our pick id love to either move down to take him or just take him. But he’d be another smallish forward.

 

[uncleben]

My pick #28 Wish List:

1. Quinton Musty - by if by the grace of God he’s there at our pick or around our pick, we should trade up and grab him.

2. Ethan Gauthier - Goal Scoring Winger, production has gotten better 2nd year in QMJHL.

3. Oliver Bonk - Steady and reliable RHD. Not super flashy but high upside and can move the puck.

4. Lukas Dragicevic - More offensively minded, another potentially high upside defenseman.

I’d love any of those four.

I'd be quite happy with Gauthier

Dominant player who is happy to apply the pressure and get under the other team's skin, but still has goal scoring vision to fall back on
Not a lot of size, which some people would love to harp on about and I'm not 100% convinced his whole portfolio will translate up to the NHL level, but I like his player profile and potential upside.

 

[SprDaVE]

Imagine having a left side of Musty, Knies and Robertson all on cheap contracts. We can only wish.

I wanted to ask you since you follow a bit better. What are your thoughts on Nadeau? Do you think he’s got a realistic shot of becoming an impact player? He reminds me a lot of a smaller Kyle Connor coming out of the USHL. I like his upside, if all other players I suggested were gone at our pick id love to either move down to take him or just take him. But he’d be another smallish forward.

I'm not familiar with him very much at all. I watch mostly OHL + QMJHL since I live in Ottawa and then read a lot about the top prospects.

From what I've read, Nadeau seems to be a fast player with good tools offensively.

 

[kb]

I'm not familiar with him very much at all. I watch mostly OHL + QMJHL since I live in Ottawa and then read a lot about the top prospects.

From what I've read, Nadeau seems to be a fast player with good tools offensively.

Howdy neighbourino!!

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Watching many Sudbury games being a resident, I'd be very happy with Musty at 28. When Derek McKenzie took over behind the bench mid season his game went to another level at both ends of the ice. He initially lacked effort on the defensive side, but those concerns are no more. There's no questioning his offensive skill set. Has a pro shot already. I'd be surprised if he lasts to the Leafs pick.

I'd also like Ritchie or perhaps Bonk.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Gulyayev only 23rd on Bob's list? I'm smitten on him, we have to get him if he's around our range, trade up if necessary. This guy is the one, a better Lane Hutson at the same age. His ceiling is one of the best offensive defenseman in the world. We get very little offense from our defense, I'm tired of it.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Musty would be a dream at 28

 

[mistaclick]

I hope we take a defenseman. Gulyayev would be a steal, wouldn’t mind Morin, Willander if he fell, Simashev even. Something on the back end