2023 NHL Entry Draft Discussion

[sandwichbird2023]

I think there will be a drop off in positional options available in this draft after 7 or 8 when the top C get snapped up and the only top 10 D (Reinbacher) is gone and what’s left are smallish skilled wingers like Brindley and Cristall, middle six C like Danielson and Dvorsky, and smallish offensive D like ASP and Gulyayav.
Hopefully, by some miracle, we can stay at 8 and Reinbacher is still on the board and we take him. If not, do we take another high risk but high ceiling winger like Lekkerimaki? take a safe C option who might only top out as 2/3C similar to Raty? or take the second best all around D in Shimashev who’s like a Tanev/Carlo hybrid?
Gonna be an interesting draft if we make the pick which I assume we will.

That's my worry about the late season hot streak too. A lot of the A prospects in prime positions will be taken, and the BPA ended up being wingers (worse yet, smallish skilled wingers). It's not ideal using all your top picks on wingers, can't build a team like that, and generally they have relatively low trade value so you can't even use the "trade from surplus" angle.

If we ended up #10-13, trading down might be a decent option, depending if we can get value. Players slotted from around 9 to 20 seems fairly equal.

If we do end up around #10-12 and all the most desirable prospects are gone, I wouldn't mind taking Simashev like you said. Might as well swing for the homerun. Getting a decent middle 6 C like Danielson or Dvorsky is helpful for building C depth, but a prospect with top pairing potential is hard to pass up on.

Another thing that seems to be glossed over is that "tanking" as low in the standing as possible also helps move picks from round 2 onwards higher. That always help. There are usually some excellent players to be had at the top of the 2nd. Not going to matter this year but the logic still applies as an ongoing strategy.

 

[LemonSauceD]

That Cristall kid has top 5 talent. I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on that kid if the top C’s are drafted.

Anyone else think we should stay away from Barlow? He seems like a 4-5 year project type.

 

[VIPettersson]

Those two players specifically shouldnt be drafted before 10.

I disagree when you say Danielsson and Dvorsky arent on the same level as Moore. They are much more complete players then Moore currently is and its the same thing that Canucks fans were saying abotu Nazar last year. Who had a rather disappointing season at Michigan this year

Bedard, Carlsson, Fantilli, Michkov, Smith, Benson are pretty universally seen as the top 6 talents in this draft. The group after them is Leonard, Moore, Dvorsky, Danielsson, Barlow and Sale Talent wise. Rienbacher, Simashev and ASP if you are taking into positional value as well. I think Heidt will see his name rise up draft boards as we get closer to the draft as well

I wouldnt reach for any of the 3 Dman as Moore, Dvorsky, Danielsson are better talents and if we are taking about upside Simashev is the Dman you would take a swing at because he is the only one who has #1 upside. Those names alone take you to the 10th overall pick and I think one of Honzak, Barlow, Cristall will be taking in the top 10. I think Honzak is a better prospect and player then Barlow, who is consistenly rated in the 7-11 range in mock drafts

Reinbacher is overrated by fans because they see the point totals but he doesnt have great tools. I saw someone compare him to Dobson and I think thats a fair comparison. Dobson is a good player but not someone I would take over a Hischer, Larkin, Bregeron type of player. And that is what I see with Dvorsky, Moore and Danielson

Still very cautious about Simashev, his production is scary bad. A bad player with better luck would probably outproduce him. From the very little I saw of him, his decision making in the offensive zone is extremely worrying. Sure hes very good defensively but definitely a project to make the big leagues. For a huge guy he has a muffin of a shot as well. Personally I would prefer Reinbacher over Simashev.

 

[racerjoe]

They should have traded Kuzmenko OR tried to get him on a long deal that he has a chance to outperform. The 2 year deal is the worst possible out come. We are not contending for anything in those two years and he is currently riding the highest shooting% in the history of the league... He will decline and his trade value will not be the same in 2 years. Not even close.

Getting a second for Kuze would be terrible asset management... and a huge step back, I mean how many 35 goal scorers are there in the NHL?

Do you really think replacing OEL with anyone who has suited up for us on D made us worse?

OEL is one dman... we have consistently had 3-4 AHL dmen on the roster.

Hronek has legit shoulder issues that should worry us. Shutting him down is not some savvy wink wink move by management.

No he doesn't... this is just fear mongering. Weren't you applauding when Caufield was shut down? He isn't in a sling or anything now.

They have played the wheels off of Quinn Hughes and Demko... We are the Ducks 5on5 when Hughes is not on the ice. And Demko has again stolen multiple meaningless games. Its the Canuck way.

This is also a bit wrong. Yes we have been playing hughes a lot. I think that is what happens when you have 3 AHL dmen dressed. Demko has only played at a 62 game pace. That is totally normal.

Sounds like Philadelphia is giving up on this insane strategy of never taking a step back to accumulate assets and build for a cup run, we are now the lone team in the league trying to implement this strategy.

Could it just be that we DONT know better than the other 30 (about to be 31 if Philly follows through) teams in the league?

Do you honestly not see a difference between us and Philly? Do they have a single player as good as Petey? comparable to Hughes? Hell anyone as good as Miller? A decent Goalie?

 

[sting101]

There is absolutely a drop off after nine, honestly I think there is even a little tier between eight and nine as well.

Curious who your 5-8 are

 

[TryamkinPleaseReturn]

That Cristall kid has top 5 talent. I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on that kid if the top C’s are drafted.

Anyone else think we should stay away from Barlow? He seems like a 4-5 year project type.

He's not top of my list, but at this point I wouldn't mind taking him. If he is able to improve his puck skills just a bit, and play more physical, he would be reminiscent of Landeskog. That's a big if, but he seems like a guy who will do anything to help his team win, and he does already play a physical game, so I think he could add a mean streak to his game (and I rarely say this about prospects because usually you either play violent or not). I think he will be drafted pretty high, maybe even before we pick. I like his hockey IQ, his skating looks OK, not great, but probably already good enough.

While typing this, I just saw an interview with him. Interesting points:
- He considers himself a hard-nosed, skilled power forward
- Grew up a leafs fans
- the players he watches to learn from the most are Mathews, Tavares and JT Miller
- Takes pride in playing defense first
- he was injured at the end of the season but he will be back for round 2 of the playoffs against Bo Horvat's former team, London
What he's working on right now in order to get game to the next level:
- working on explosiveness, powerful stride, getting first 3 steps quicker
- Listens to country music

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Getting a second for Kuze would be terrible asset management... and a huge step back, I mean how many 35 goal scorers are there in the NHL?

I dont believe the return is only a second. But even if it is a second who gives a f*** we have another winger who can score with Elias Pettersson, signed to a decent contract for 2 years?

Kuzmenko is not a 35 goal scorer. He is a player who has scored +35 goals. IPP off the charts, huge amount of 2nd assists and the obvious INSANE shooting %. Hot take. He will be the next whipping boy once he regresses to the statistical means of his play.

Just like JT Miller is not a 99 point scorer, he is a player who scored 99 points. He has declined as was expected and if you expect anything other than further decline as he ages on... Well I would expect nothing less from you at this point to be honest.

OEL is one dman... we have consistently had 3-4 AHL dmen on the roster.

Who have improved our D from the first 40 games. What is your point exactly?

No he doesn't... this is just fear mongering.

Do you really believe that or are you just using this as a weapon in a debate?

Weren't you applauding when Caufield was shut down? He isn't in a sling or anything now.

No. I have not done that.

This is also a bit wrong. Yes we have been playing hughes a lot. I think that is what happens when you have 3 AHL dmen dressed. Demko has only played at a 62 game pace. That is totally normal.

Im sure you know what the stats are for goalies that start +55 games.

Playing Quinn Hughes 30mins per game is not normal.

Do you honestly not see a difference between us and Philly? Do they have a single player as good as Petey? comparable to Hughes? Hell anyone as good as Miller? A decent Goalie?

Sorry but the league is not about having 3 good players.

Its about fitting as much talent under the salary cap as possible and doing it more efficiently than the other 31 teams.

We are not closer to contending than Philly is.


Is there any point in this conversation? You and the handful of others here who love this new direction disagree with 99,9% of the rest of the hockey following world. There is no argument that will change your mind.

 

[DonnyNucker]

There is absolutely a drop off after nine, honestly I think there is even a little tier between eight and nine as well.

No there is not

 

[DonnyNucker]

Getting a second for Kuze would be terrible asset management... and a huge step back, I mean how many 35 goal scorers are there in the NHL?


OEL is one dman... we have consistently had 3-4 AHL dmen on the roster.


No he doesn't... this is just fear mongering. Weren't you applauding when Caufield was shut down? He isn't in a sling or anything now.



This is also a bit wrong. Yes we have been playing hughes a lot. I think that is what happens when you have 3 AHL dmen dressed. Demko has only played at a 62 game pace. That is totally normal.



Do you honestly not see a difference between us and Philly? Do they have a single player as good as Petey? comparable to Hughes? Hell anyone as good as Miller? A decent Goalie?

Why do you bother with Munchkin. He is good at trolling Canucks fans and playing a physiotherapist at Finnish parties but I wouldn’t take his posts serious.

 

[JohnHodgson]

There is absolutely a drop off after nine, honestly I think there is even a little tier between eight and nine as well.

Uhhhhh I don't think so lol.

 

[BCNate]

Our potential draft slots are down to 8:
1st
2nd
8th is our current slot
9th Tied with Washington currently, they hold the tie breaker against us. We Play the Ducks/Yotes, Caps play Bruins/Devils.
10 Wings are a point up and hold the tie breaker. They have the Canes/TB left
11 Blues are 2 points up and hold the Tie Breaker. They play Dallas twice. This is the lowest we can finish.
12
13 Lowest spot we can draft

 

[UrbanImpact]

Elite Prospects just annihilated Cristall. They are very very low on him. Some points that they made:

- Super Lazy and Lost when the other team has the puck
- Zero explosiveness to his game, has a hard time beating guys outside in the WHL level.
- Game is predictable, always pulls up on the boards when entering the blueline.
- Skating is poor to average. Wont be able to get away with his dangles at the NHL level because of his skating and lack of explosiveness


I'd have red flag on Cristall for sure. I do not think his game will translate well in the NHL.

If we are picking in the 11th spot, depending on who is available, i wouldnt mind trading down and getting an extra late 1st or early 2nd.

 

[Zombotron]

 

[NomadSports94]

Elite Prospects just annihilated Cristall. They are very very low on him. Some points that they made:

- Super Lazy and Lost when the other team has the puck
- Zero explosiveness to his game, has a hard time beating guys outside in the WHL level.
- Game is predictable, always pulls up on the boards when entering the blueline.
- Skating is poor to average. Wont be able to get away with his dangles at the NHL level because of his skating and lack of explosiveness


I'd have red flag on Cristall for sure. I do not think his game will translate well in the NHL.

If we are picking in the 11th spot, depending on who is available, i wouldnt mind trading down and getting an extra late 1st or early 2nd.

Im not big on Cristall, sure he put up points but the kid is the definition of a one dimensional player. In that 8-11 range you should look at Simashev, Reinbacher, ASP, Dvorsky, Danielson, Moore, or even Sale before Cristall

 

[UrbanImpact]

Im not big on Cristall, sure he put up points but the kid is the definition of a one dimensional player. In that 8-11 range you should look at Simashev, Reinbacher, ASP, Dvorsky, Danielson, Moore, or even Sale before Cristall

Reinbacher and Moore is my guy for us in the 8-11 range.

Moore is an absolute warrior and wins in every area of the ice...

He reminds me a bit of a mix of Ryan Kesler and Kyle Connor

 

[NomadSports94]

Reinbacher and Moore is my guy for us in the 8-11 range.

Moore is an absolute warrior and wins in every area of the ice...

He reminds me a bit of a mix of Ryan Kesler and Kyle Connor

My top 2 C's in the 8-11 range are Moore and Dvorsky, both these guys are gonna be absolute units when they hit their peaks. For D, my top 3 are Reinbacher, Simashev, and ASP in that order

 

[sandwichbird2023]

Elite Prospects just annihilated Cristall. They are very very low on him. Some points that they made:

- Super Lazy and Lost when the other team has the puck
- Zero explosiveness to his game, has a hard time beating guys outside in the WHL level.
- Game is predictable, always pulls up on the boards when entering the blueline.
- Skating is poor to average. Wont be able to get away with his dangles at the NHL level because of his skating and lack of explosiveness


I'd have red flag on Cristall for sure. I do not think his game will translate well in the NHL.

If we are picking in the 11th spot, depending on who is available, i wouldnt mind trading down and getting an extra late 1st or early 2nd.

Yea, I get that his stats are super impressive, but I don't like his game very much. He profile similarly to other junior scoring stars that fail to make a mark in the NHL. The lack of size and speed is a bad combination, and I'm not sure he has the work rate to compensate for that deficiency.

I'm surprised that he is ranked so high on some lists, making top 10 in a couple of them if I remember correctly. He is the one guy I would steer clear from in the top 15 for sure.

 

[racerjoe]

I dont believe the return is only a second. But even if it is a second who gives a f*** we have another winger who can score with Elias Pettersson, signed to a decent contract for 2 years?

Kuzmenko is not a 35 goal scorer. He is a player who has scored +35 goals. IPP off the charts, huge amount of 2nd assists and the obvious INSANE shooting %. Hot take. He will be the next whipping boy once he regresses to the statistical means of his play.

Fine 30 goal scorer...

Just like JT Miller is not a 99 point scorer, he is a player who scored 99 points. He has declined as was expected and if you expect anything other than further decline as he ages on... Well I would expect nothing less from you at this point to be honest.

Never thought he was a 99 point player... just a PT per game player... like he has been. Just like I think Kuze is a 30 goal scorer.

Who have improved our D from the first 40 games. What is your point exactly?

They are all playing better... wonder if it is system related...

You don't think dressing 3 AHL defensemen is a point in this debate? Weird.

Do you really believe that or are you just using this as a weapon in a debate?

The better question is why do you believe differently? What evidence do you have?

Im sure you know what the stats are for goalies that start +55 games.

12 goalies this year will play more than 55 games... its normal especially for top 5 guys. The point being, it wasn't over working him, and even if you wanted to try and arguing it was... it would be by one game over what 2 months? This is a stupid point to try and make.

I agree they are playing Hughes too much to a degree... I just think its easy to look at our AHL defense and go... oh that make sense.

Is there any point in this conversation? You and the handful of others here who love this new direction disagree with 99,9% of the rest of the hockey following world. There is no argument that will change your mind.

This is the crux of the problem. I think for many it is the other way around. You are trying to debate 1 game differences for the most part. Or argue that an AHL defense is better. Most of your points are such a small thing or based on no evidence (Hronek) that it more of a what are you talking about.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Fine 30 goal scorer...

I would not be surprised if he does not hit 30 next year.

Never thought he was a 99 point player... just a PT per game player... like he has been. Just like I think Kuze is a 30 goal scorer.



They are all playing better... wonder if it is system related...

Or a new coach bump like last year?

You don't think dressing 3 AHL defensemen is a point in this debate? Weird.

Who should they dress if they wanted to win games?

The better question is why do you believe differently? What evidence do you have?

Taking their word for it?

What evidence do you have that its a secret wink wink not actual injury?

12 goalies this year will play more than 55 games... its normal especially for top 5 guys. The point being, it wasn't over working him, and even if you wanted to try and arguing it was... it would be by one game over what 2 months? This is a stupid point to try and make.

Im sure you are aware of what happens to goalies, that play +55 games, in the playoffs.

Im sure I dont need to reiterate that point.

I agree they are playing Hughes too much to a degree... I just think its easy to look at our AHL defense and go... oh that make sense.

Its absolutely ridicilious. We are the only team that would do it.

This is the crux of the problem. I think for many it is the other way around. You are trying to debate 1 game differences for the most part. Or argue that an AHL defense is better. Most of your points are such a small thing or based on no evidence (Hronek) that it more of a what are you talking about.

Its not tho.

99,9% of people who follow the NHL disagree with you guys.

You are the one who needs to provide evidence for your Hronek conspiracy theory, not the other way around. Are you so busy trying to spin everything to fit your story that you no longer see when you are doing it?

 

[racerjoe]

I would not be surprised if he does not hit 30 next year.


Or a new coach bump like last year?


Who should they dress if they wanted to win games?

Taking their word for it?

What evidence do you have that its a secret wink wink not actual injury?



Im sure you are aware of what happens to goalies, that play +55 games, in the playoffs.

Im sure I dont need to reiterate that point.


Its absolutely ridicilious. We are the only team that would do it.

Its not tho.

99,9% of people who follow the NHL disagree with you guys.

You are the one who needs to provide evidence for your Hronek conspiracy theory, not the other way around. Are you so busy trying to spin everything to fit your story that you no longer see when you are doing it?

This is pointless... when you accuse me of a Hronek conspiracy? It makes your entire argument apparent and laughable.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

This is pointless... when you accuse me of a Hronek conspiracy? It makes your entire argument apparent and laughable.

Just listen to what you are saying here for a second.

You are claiming the Canucks are holding out a healthy Hronek as if he were injured and demand I provide evidence he is not actually injured.

I dont blame you. You've had to do some insane mental gymnastics to stick your initial take on this retool. Must be exhausting.

 

[racerjoe]

Just listen to what you are saying here for a second.

You are claiming the Canucks are holding out a healthy Hronek as if he were injured and demand I provide evidence he is not actually injured.

I dont blame you. You've had to do some insane mental gymnastics to stick your initial take on this retool. Must be exhausting.

Its pretty simple... much like them shutting down Myk, to have surgery... they could have pushed him to have offseason surgery, but decided it was smarter to have it now and be ready for next year.

Lots of teams do this stuff. It's just a few weird Canuck fans freaking out.

 

[Izzy Goodenough]

Oh, if only the Canucks had another pick late in the first round:

A right shot JT Miller?

Charlie Stramel | Charlie Stramel Profile | Charlie Stramel Scouting Report 2023

Charlie Stramel scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Charlie Stramel stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

 

[VIPettersson]

That Cristall kid has top 5 talent. I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on that kid if the top C’s are drafted.

Anyone else think we should stay away from Barlow? He seems like a 4-5 year project type.

I worry about his ability to translate his game to the NHL. Reminds me awfully a lot like a playmaking version of Hunter Shinkaruk.

Elite Prospects just annihilated Cristall. They are very very low on him. Some points that they made:

- Super Lazy and Lost when the other team has the puck
- Zero explosiveness to his game, has a hard time beating guys outside in the WHL level.
- Game is predictable, always pulls up on the boards when entering the blueline.
- Skating is poor to average. Wont be able to get away with his dangles at the NHL level because of his skating and lack of explosiveness


I'd have red flag on Cristall for sure. I do not think his game will translate well in the NHL.

If we are picking in the 11th spot, depending on who is available, i wouldnt mind trading down and getting an extra late 1st or early 2nd.

I'd have to agree there are better options.

 

[DFAC]

My top 2 C's in the 8-11 range are Moore and Dvorsky, both these guys are gonna be absolute units when they hit their peaks. For D, my top 3 are Reinbacher, Simashev, and ASP in that order

Dvorsky over Leonard?