2023 NHL draft prospects

[Kshahdoo]

Quite different situations though.

Kaprizov simply wasn't the same level of prospect and was a 5th rounder which makes it easy for teams to wait.

Michkov will be a top 3 pick and that makes it more difficult to wait, especially with all of the other elite top end talent in the draft.

First, Kaprizov became the Minny's top prospect almost immediately after he draft, and at age about 20 he was considered NHL ready and the franchise saviour. So the wait was long and tough, but the end turned out to be pretty happy.

Second, it's not about the number of pick. It's about the outcome. If you think the kid can turn your franchize over, you pick him no matter what and wait for him for as long as it takes.

 

[kp61c]

Yeah. Loses out on like 20 million because he signed that contract. Thought it was a terrible idea at the time but hey.

yep, and it's dirt cheep to buy out his contract. alas, it's forbidden for nhl clubs to do so and the chances of michkov buying it out of his own pocket are next to nil. lucky ska, brutal for the team that drafts him.

 

[Favin]

also does anyone have a quick early top 10-15 for this draft including each players projections?

Rough idea of a list...

Connor Bedard, F, Canada

Matvei Michkov, F, Russia
Adam Fantilli, F, Canada
Dalibor Dvorsky, F, Slovakia

Calum Ritchie, F, Canada
Quentin Musty, F, USA
Will Smith, F, USA
Brayden Yager, F, Canada
Leo Carlsson, F, Sweden
Emil Jarventie, F, Finland
Hunter Brzustewicz, D, USA

Theo Lindstein, D, Sweden
Mikhail Gulyayev, D, Russia
Matthew Wood, F, Canada
Riley Heidt, F, Canada

Koehn Ziemmer, F, Canada
Charlie Stramel, F, USA
Otto Stenberg, F, Sweden
Tyler Peddle, F, Canada
Zach Benson, F, Canada

Arttu Karki, D, Finland
Cameron Johnson, F, Canada
Gavin Brindley, F, USA
Nate Danielson, F, Canada
Leevi Kangas, F, Finland
Zeb Forsfjall, F, Sweden
Cameron Allen, D, Canada
Kasper Halttunen, F, Finland
Lukas Dragicevic, D, Canada
Ethan Gauthier, F, USA
Nathan Drapeau, D, Canada
Daniil But, F, Russia
Oliver Moore, F, USA
Ryan Fine, F, USA
Noah Dower-Nilsson, F, Sweden
Matthew Jovanovic, D, Canada
Valdemar Hull, F, Switzerland
Eduard Sale, F, Czech Republic
Colby Barlow, F, Canada
Aram Minnetian, D, USA

 

[canuck2010]

Yes Ethan Gauthier was born in the USA but he is a dual citizen now playing in the Q.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Eduard Sale deserves to be higher in that list

 

[NHL prospects]

Elliot Ståhlberg is not even top 5 in Sweden.

 

[Apotheosis]

If Michkov's contract really causes his draft stock to drop I would have a lot of concerns about the teams passing on him. Michkov is about as close to a slam dunk franchise level or better player you can get at the draft. His skillset is very translatable and his production is historic. The wait for him to come over for a few years would 1000000% be worth it.

inb4 he somehow drops to the Leafs

 

[The Swede]

They just launched the Sweden U17 roster for the four nations cup in Nyköping. And it looks really good. As i said before, better and better for every time. I take for granted that Lindstein and Stenberg will be in the U18 roster. But i really don´t know what´s going on with Wille Johansson. I watched the games between Mora and Färjestad in the SM play offs (Mora won 2-0). And he is maybe the fifth best forward born in 2005 on the Färjestad team. How is it possible?

 

[theslatcher]

They just launched the Sweden U17 roster for the four nations cup in Nyköping. And it looks really good. As i said before, better and better for every time. I take for granted that Lindstein and Stenberg will be in the U18 roster. But i really don´t know what´s going on with Wille Johansson. I watched the games between Mora and Färjestad in the SM play offs (Mora won 2-0). And he is maybe the fifth best forward born in 2005 on the Färjestad team. How is it possible?

Probably going the same stupid route as the U16 team is: putting more weight on people with "character and grit" alongside some good old fashioned nepotism.

 

[The Swede]

The nepotism i guess. A strong factor in Swedish hockey.

 

[Czechboy]

Eduard Sale deserves to be higher in that list

Czechs tend to rise and crawl into round 1 lately... he'll get there. A good U18 and Hlinka need to happen.

 

[Hockeylife89]

They just launched the Sweden U17 roster for the four nations cup in Nyköping. And it looks really good. As i said before, better and better for every time. I take for granted that Lindstein and Stenberg will be in the U18 roster. But i really don´t know what´s going on with Wille Johansson. I watched the games between Mora and Färjestad in the SM play offs (Mora won 2-0). And he is maybe the fifth best forward born in 2005 on the Färjestad team. How is it possible?

If Wille Johansson is in the squad, it is pretty clear that something wierd is going on. There are plenty of players that could be in this squad instead of him. Even if Färjestad U18 have been a disappointment this season there are plenty of other Forwards in their squad that are better than him… (Ståhlberg, Sidebäck, Ling etc…) And that is just in Färjestads squad. There are many other players from other clubs as well that could be in their.

 

[CheldishGamibno]

Rough idea of a list...

Calum Ritchie, F, Canada
Quentin Musty, F, USA
Will Smith, F, USA
Brayden Yager, F, Canada
Leo Carlsson, F, Sweden
Emil Jarventie, F, Finland
Hunter Brzustewicz, D, USA

Wondering if there's a Chris Rock somewhere in this draft?

 

[The Swede]

If Wille Johansson is in the squad, it is pretty clear that something wierd is going on. There are plenty of players that could be in this squad instead of him. Even if Färjestad U18 have been a disappointment this season there are plenty of other Forwards in their squad that are better than him… (Ståhlberg, Sidebäck, Ling etc…) And that is just in Färjestads squad. There are many other players from other clubs as well that could be in their.

Can only agree with you. Yes and a bunch of guys in other teams as well ... kind of sad how it works in Swedish hockey.

 

[TPM4020]

Its crazy.. it just confirms how wierd and f-cked up the swedish hockey is. Its more important to have the right name on your back and have the correct connections, than to be good player.

As already mentioned about the latest U17 roster and Wille. I am more suspicious about how Albert Wikman and Lucas Kling ended up there... so strange! But he is playing in Färjestad and that seem to make the way into the National Teams much easier... everybody has their favourites but sometimes it becomes so obvious.

//A

 

[waitin425]

No one is getting a player (Bedard included) that will turn their team around within 2 years. It makes zero sense to pass on Michkov if you are picking 2nd in this draft.

 

[The Swede]

Stenberg and Lindstein in the U18 WC. And from what i hear Leo Carlsson will play. His injury not that bad as first reported.

 

[The Swede]

Its crazy.. it just confirms how wierd and f-cked up the swedish hockey is. Its more important to have the right name on your back and have the correct connections, than to be good player.

As already mentioned about the latest U17 roster and Wille. I am more suspicious about how Albert Wikman and Lucas Kling ended up there... so strange! But he is playing in Färjestad and that seem to make the way into the National Teams much easier... everybody has their favourites but sometimes it becomes so obvious.

//A

Something wierd is going on, both in Färjestad and in the national team.

 

[Chainshot]

Something wierd is going on, both in Färjestad and in the national team.

Seems like the same sort of decision making that we see with other nations too - USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, the Russians have all made some national team moves that seem more about nepotism than talent.

 

[Hockeylife89]

At first, I thought nepotism would dissappear in the older age groups but it seems like it countinues. It is still clear that it is going on even in the U17 Swedish national team and that is terrible. What also feels wierd is that it keeps going on even though everyone notices it now. If we continue with Färjestad as an example, it is clear that the two forwards that are in the national team (Wille Johansson and Lucas Kling) is in the national team even though they are not even the best players in their own team... On the other hand, the rest of the team looks quite right in my opinion. But the thing with the Färjestad players looks very wierd.

 

[The Swede]

At first, I thought nepotism would dissappear in the older age groups but it seems like it countinues. It is still clear that it is going on even in the U17 Swedish national team and that is terrible. What also feels wierd is that it keeps going on even though everyone notices it now. If we continue with Färjestad as an example, it is clear that the two forwards that are in the national team (Wille Johansson and Lucas Kling) is in the national team even though they are not even the best players in their own team... On the other hand, the rest of the team looks quite right in my opinion. But the thing with the Färjestad players looks very wierd.

Yes and I agree with you 100%. In the end it will be sorted out. But on the other hand it´s someone else that should have been there.

 

[The Swede]

Ok, here comes my summation and ranking of the 2005 group this season. What do i look for? Three things.
1. Compete level
2. Skill level
3. Habits

I think like this when i´m scouting. No competitiveness, than it won´t work on pro level. About skill level, i look for high skill level. Skating, passing, shooting etc. But the skill level needs to be really high to depend only on that. So the third one is good habits. Because if the player only relay on quite good skills, and have bad habits it won´t work on pro level. And you need world class skills to compensate for bad habits. So here are my list of the Swedish top prospects of the 2005 group.

Forwards:
1. Otto Stenberg, Frölunda
2. Kalle Carlsson. Örebro
3. Lukas Sagranden, Örebro
4. Noel Nordh, Brynäs
5. Noah Dower Nilsson, Frölunda
6. Zeb Forsfjäll, Skellefteå
7. Elliot Ståhlberg, Färjestad
8. Hugo Pettersson, HV71
9. Svante Sjödin, Örebro
10. David Edström, Frölunda
11. Gustaf Kangas, Västerås
12. Johannes Sidebäck, Färjestad
13. Melvin Wersäll, Djurgården
14. Isac Hedqvist, Luleå
15. Simon Zether, Rögle
16. Felix Unger Sörum, Leksand
17. Hugo Lejon, Västerås
18. Johannes Frisk, Örebro
19. Gustav Ling, Färjestad
20. Elis Rix, Växjö
21. Oskar Voullet, Skellefteå
22. Hugo Branthsson, Luleå
23. Noah Wolf, Leksand
24. Felix Nilsson, Rögle
25. Lucas Stockselius, Djurgården

Defenders:
1. Theo Lindstein, Brynäs
2. Axel Sandlin-Pelikka, Skellefteå
3. Arvid Bergström, Djurgården
4. Victor Westh, Färjestad
5. Edvin Nilsson, HV71
6. Axel Landén, HV71
7. Albert Wikman, Färjestad
8. Eric Burger, Örebro
9. Erik Willander, AIK
10. Olle Karlsson, Örebro
11. Noel Franzén, Färjestad
12. Sebastian Tamm, Leksand

Goalies:
1. Noah Erliden, HV71
2. Teodor Munther, Djurgården
3. Melvin Strahl, Modo
4. Melvin Lindh, Växjö

The 2005 group is a strong group. Maybe not the top prospect (i see no top five) in this group but many strong prospects that can take the steps to pro level. Especially among forwards.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I made my first 2023 List in March. Next one I'm going to make is after the end of this season. I still don't know that much about a lot of these players and a few of them I haven't even seen play, so if I have any positions wrong, please correct me.

Spoiler: Top 64

2023 Draft List:

1. Matvei Michkov-W
2. Connor Bedard-W
3. Charlie Stramel-C
4. Dalibor Dvorsky-C
5. Brayden Yager-C
6. Calum Ritchie-C
7. Adam Fantilli-C
8. Quentin Musty-W
9. Otto Stenberg-C
10. Gavin McCarthy-RD
11. Zach Benson-W
12. Eduard Sale-W
13. Theo Lindstein-LD
14. Jayson Shaugabay-C
15. Riley Heidt-C
16. Matthew Wood-W
17. Leo Carlsson-C
18. Gavin Brindley-C
19. Lukas Dragacevic-LD
20. Daniil But-W
21. Will Smith-C
22. Kasper Halttunen-W
23. Cameron Allen-RD
24. Hunter Brzustewicz-RD
25. Ethan Miedema-W
26. Alex Ciernik-W
27. Ryan Leonard-W
28. Nate Danielson-C
29. Mikhail Gulyayev-LD
30. Tyler Peddle-W
31. Danny Nelson-W
32. Gracyn Sawchyn-C
33. Colby Barlow-C
34. Trey Augustine-G
35. Ivan Remezovsky-LD
36. Connor Levis-C
37. Aram Minnetian-RD
38. Kalen Lind-W
39. Koehn Ziemmer-W
40. Maxim Strbak-RD
41. Oliver Moore-W
42. Beckett Hendrickson-C
43. Kalle Carlsson-C
44. Emil Pieniemi-LD
45. Emil Kuusla-W
46. Mazden Leslie-RD
47. Carey Terrance-C
48. Yegor Zavragin-G
49. Michael Chambre-G
50. Noah Dower Nilsson-C
51. Hugo Hell-LD
52. Andrew Strathmann-LD
53. Dmitri Simashev-LD
54. Dominik Petr-C
55. Arttu Karki-LD
56. Tom Leppa-C
57. Donovan McCoy-RD
58. Cam Squires-W
59. Will McDonough-C
60. Niko Minkkinen-RD
61. Roman Kantserov-W
62. Martin Misiak-C
63. Jayden Perron-W
64. William Whitelaw-W

 

[Goodman68]

I made my first 2023 List in March. Next one I'm going to make is after the end of this season. I still don't know that much about a lot of these players and a few of them I haven't even seen play, so if I have any positions wrong, please correct me.

Spoiler: Top 64

2023 Draft List:

1. Matvei Michkov-W
2. Connor Bedard-W
3. Charlie Stramel-C
4. Dalibor Dvorsky-C
5. Brayden Yager-C
6. Calum Ritchie-C
7. Adam Fantilli-C
8. Quentin Musty-W
9. Otto Stenberg-C
10. Gavin McCarthy-RD
11. Zach Benson-W
12. Eduard Sale-W
13. Theo Lindstein-LD
14. Jayson Shaugabay-C
15. Riley Heidt-C
16. Matthew Wood-W
17. Leo Carlsson-C
18. Gavin Brindley-C
19. Lukas Dragacevic-LD
20. Daniil But-W
21. Will Smith-C
22. Kasper Halttunen-W
23. Cameron Allen-RD
24. Hunter Brzustewicz-RD
25. Ethan Miedema-W
26. Alex Ciernik-W
27. Ryan Leonard-W
28. Nate Danielson-C
29. Mikhail Gulyayev-LD
30. Tyler Peddle-W
31. Danny Nelson-W
32. Gracyn Sawchyn-C
33. Colby Barlow-C
34. Trey Augustine-G
35. Ivan Remezovsky-LD
36. Connor Levis-C
37. Aram Minnetian-RD
38. Kalen Lind-W
39. Koehn Ziemmer-W
40. Maxim Strbak-RD
41. Oliver Moore-W
42. Beckett Hendrickson-C
43. Kalle Carlsson-C
44. Emil Pieniemi-LD
45. Emil Kuusla-W
46. Mazden Leslie-RD
47. Carey Terrance-C
48. Yegor Zavragin-G
49. Michael Chambre-G
50. Noah Dower Nilsson-C
51. Hugo Hell-LD
52. Andrew Strathmann-LD
53. Dmitri Simashev-LD
54. Dominik Petr-C
55. Arttu Karki-LD
56. Tom Leppa-C
57. Donovan McCoy-RD
58. Cam Squires-W
59. Will McDonough-C
60. Niko Minkkinen-RD
61. Roman Kantserov-W
62. Martin Misiak-C
63. Jayden Perron-W
64. William Whitelaw-W

Of the Czech players, Šprynar, Štancl, Felcman (in my opinion, all these forwards are better than D. Petr), Badinka, maybe Dvořák will also attack the first two or three rounds. Year 05 is even stronger than 04.

 

[waitin425]

I made my first 2023 List in March. Next one I'm going to make is after the end of this season. I still don't know that much about a lot of these players and a few of them I haven't even seen play, so if I have any positions wrong, please correct me.

Spoiler: Top 64

2023 Draft List:

1. Matvei Michkov-W
2. Connor Bedard-W
3. Charlie Stramel-C
4. Dalibor Dvorsky-C
5. Brayden Yager-C
6. Calum Ritchie-C
7. Adam Fantilli-C
8. Quentin Musty-W
9. Otto Stenberg-C
10. Gavin McCarthy-RD
11. Zach Benson-W
12. Eduard Sale-W
13. Theo Lindstein-LD
14. Jayson Shaugabay-C
15. Riley Heidt-C
16. Matthew Wood-W
17. Leo Carlsson-C
18. Gavin Brindley-C
19. Lukas Dragacevic-LD
20. Daniil But-W
21. Will Smith-C
22. Kasper Halttunen-W
23. Cameron Allen-RD
24. Hunter Brzustewicz-RD
25. Ethan Miedema-W
26. Alex Ciernik-W
27. Ryan Leonard-W
28. Nate Danielson-C
29. Mikhail Gulyayev-LD
30. Tyler Peddle-W
31. Danny Nelson-W
32. Gracyn Sawchyn-C
33. Colby Barlow-C
34. Trey Augustine-G
35. Ivan Remezovsky-LD
36. Connor Levis-C
37. Aram Minnetian-RD
38. Kalen Lind-W
39. Koehn Ziemmer-W
40. Maxim Strbak-RD
41. Oliver Moore-W
42. Beckett Hendrickson-C
43. Kalle Carlsson-C
44. Emil Pieniemi-LD
45. Emil Kuusla-W
46. Mazden Leslie-RD
47. Carey Terrance-C
48. Yegor Zavragin-G
49. Michael Chambre-G
50. Noah Dower Nilsson-C
51. Hugo Hell-LD
52. Andrew Strathmann-LD
53. Dmitri Simashev-LD
54. Dominik Petr-C
55. Arttu Karki-LD
56. Tom Leppa-C
57. Donovan McCoy-RD
58. Cam Squires-W
59. Will McDonough-C
60. Niko Minkkinen-RD
61. Roman Kantserov-W
62. Martin Misiak-C
63. Jayden Perron-W
64. William Whitelaw-W

Michkov over Bedard? Bold move...but i just don't agree. I see them as a 1A and 1B with Bedard at the top.