2023 NHL Entry Draft

[WeThreeKings]

I see your point. He does seem to only have 2C upside rather than 1C, and in the Top 10 of this draft, you should get a 1st liner.

He might actually be a W. I haven't seen the handles, skating or playmaking that I'd want from a C

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I was in town to watch Andrew Cristall against Kelowna on the 27th. He had two points and was a menace offensively for much of the game. In the first period, almost every time he was on the ice there was a serious scoring chance created. Not an exaggeration to say he could have ended the night with 5 points. However, he had many costly, bad turnovers and is not an NHL ready player defensively.

I get a Drouin vibe with him.

 

[HuGort]

Second round would be my guess, probably early too, as he's sadly not a well guarded secret anymore. He might have the best tools of the entire OHL dmen crop in the draft, his skating alone is plus plus. Super raw too, lots to develop and work with. Brock Otten is very high on him FWIW.

Who you talking about?

 

[NotProkofievian]

I get a Drouin vibe with him.

Drouin's Pejorative Slured though.

Lmao, hfboards censoring me from saying that Drouin is [redacted]

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Who you talking about?

Beau Akey.

 

[montreal]

a bunch of Bedard, Fantilli and Carlsson. Bedard is so sick, whoever gets 1st OA is going to be so lucky. I liked Fantilli a good bit this game, haven't had the chance to see much of Canada before today though. Carlsson is impressive but I want to see him move his feet more at times.

 

[Frank JT]

Need that 3rd 1st.

We gotta take a goalie high, too.

We could get a good G prospect with our second round pick, probably top 40.
One of Hrabal, Bjarnason or Augustine will be available.

 

[BergevinBurner]

If it wasn't for the Michkov contract situation, is it fair to say he'd probably be ranked #2 at this point?

Like nothing we've seen from Carlsson or Fantilli so far has indicated they're anywhere near the same tier as Bedard, but there's been plenty of talk saying that Michkov might not be that far off.

 

[CoopersFalls]

People are pencilling in Mailloux as some offensive saviour for this team and he’s not half the player at 19 that Dragicevic is today.

Mailloux has played 42 CHL games to Dragicevic's 102.

I don't think age should be a huge factor in the debate, considering above. Mailloux could go back to the OHL or spend a lot of time in the AHL developing some of these "inefficiencies".

 

[WeThreeKings]

I don't care if Wood's skating sucks.. honestly, he might be a better prospect than Dvorsky.

He's a better shooter.
He's a better passer.
He has better hands.
He's better on the wall and in puck protection.

I think it'd be extremely valuable to have an actual net front with skills on the PP. He could certainly play like Brady Tkachuk on the PP.

An option for the Florida pick.

 

[Naslund]

I don't care if Wood's skating sucks.. honestly, he might be a better prospect than Dvorsky.

He's a better shooter.
He's a better passer.
He has better hands.
He's better on the wall and in puck protection.

I think it'd be extremely valuable to have an actual net front with skills on the PP. He could certainly play like Brady Tkachuk on the PP.

An option for the Florida pick.

Realistic dream draft. One of the top 4 (Bedard, Carlsson, Michkov and Fantilli), and Matthew Wood.

 

[Jabba11]

If it wasn't for the Michkov contract situation, is it fair to say he'd probably be ranked #2 at this point?

Like nothing we've seen from Carlsson or Fantilli so far has indicated they're anywhere near the same tier as Bedard, but there's been plenty of talk saying that Michkov might not be that far off.

I have never had Michkov anywhere but top 2 in this draft. I think recency bias and lack of coverage on Michkov let to Fantilli and Carlsson being ranked ahead of him, and also because they are both having great seasons respectively.

But, you don't dismiss all the performances that Michkov gave on the international level in the last years and as well as what's he's been doing in the KHL. He is a gamer and a true puck hound with insane skills and shot. Michkov is still #2 in this draft for me, if you're looking at superstar potential, you take Michkov over Fantilli and Carlsson.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I don't care if Wood's skating sucks.. honestly, he might be a better prospect than Dvorsky.

He's a better shooter.
He's a better passer.
He has better hands.
He's better on the wall and in puck protection.

I think it'd be extremely valuable to have an actual net front with skills on the PP. He could certainly play like Brady Tkachuk on the PP.

An option for the Florida pick.

His skating is soooooo bad. But yeah, he's still one of the best offensive talents in the draft.

 

[WeThreeKings]

His skating is soooooo bad. But yeah, he's still one of the best offensive talents in the draft.

Yeah his skating sucks but so did Corey Perry's and he always managed a way to be a really good player in this league.

I wouldn't make him a top 10 pick if that was our only top 10 pick.. but let's say we take Yager at 6 (think that's where we are currently), and we have pick 11-12 from Florida? I'd definitely be interested.

 

[BergevinBurner]

I have never had Michkov anywhere but top 2 in this draft. I think recency bias and lack of coverage on Michkov let to Fantilli and Carlsson being ranked ahead of him, and also because they are both having great seasons respectively.

But, you don't dismiss all the performances that Michkov gave on the international level in the last years and as well as what's he's been doing in the KHL. He is a gamer and a true puck hound with insane skills and shot. Michkov is still #2 in this draft for me, if you're looking at superstar potential, you take Michkov over Fantilli and Carlsson.

If we're put in a position to draft him and we pass on it then that's gonna sting. But something tells me Molson would never ok the pick.

 

[Jabba11]

If we're put in a position to draft him and we pass on it then that's gonna sting. But something tells me Molson would never ok the pick.

Michkov is far more talented than the rest of the crop not named Bedard. And even then, talent wise, some could consider them on par. I truly like how Michkov plays the game. I see him transitioning so well in the NHL. A true franchise winger.

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

If Michkov slips, i would take a chance on him, he's definitely the second best in the draft.

 

[BergevinBurner]

If Michkov slips, i would take a chance on him, he's definitely the second best in the draft.

Even if Molson never intends to have Michkov play in Montreal, I feel like you have to take him.

In 2 years time we should start being competitive, at that point you either wait an extra season for Michkov or you look to move him to address other holes in the team.
If he has an impressive run in the KHL then he could have an absolutely ridiculous trade value in 2 years when we know what our organizational weaknesses are.

 

[le_sean]

Mailloux has played 42 CHL games to Dragicevic's 102.

I don't think age should be a huge factor in the debate, considering above. Mailloux could go back to the OHL or spend a lot of time in the AHL developing some of these "inefficiencies".

Really dishonest way to look at it since Dragicevic was good enough to play in the OHL at 16 whereas Mailloux played 48 games in Junior B at that age. Then of course 19 games in Sweden the year after.

 

[Jabba11]

Matvei Michkov. Generational talent. This kid loves driving to the net, plays a ferocious style, never back down mentality, insane hands, vision and shot. He is not your typical Russian perimeter player. He is a pure talent with grit. Bedard has coverage, nationality and talent to go #1 overall. But Michkov will be a true NHL player and a franchise changing winger in my opinion. Please look at this video and 1m34. There is 2 Michigan goals in the highlight video, but this goal for me is so sick. Beats the defender on the wing, knows where the goalie is and makes an insane smart goal then followed by a sick celly. Simple, yet high IQ play at good speed. We loved Alexei Kovalev here in Montreal, and to be honest, didn't have any exciting player since Kovy (PK, Caufield maybe). But, Michkov would be our next Kovy. We need a mini-Artiste.



Enjoy!

 

[le_sean]

I don't care if Wood's skating sucks.. honestly, he might be a better prospect than Dvorsky.

He's a better shooter.
He's a better passer.
He has better hands.
He's better on the wall and in puck protection.

I think it'd be extremely valuable to have an actual net front with skills on the PP. He could certainly play like Brady Tkachuk on the PP.

An option for the Florida pick.

I really hate taking guys with poor skating in the 1st round. It’s never worked out for the Habs (Chuck, KK, Scherbak). Chances are very low that he can become a Jason Robertson and overcome it to that extent. It’s just a bit rich for my blood in the Top-15. I’d rather take a gamble on a RD like Reinbacher or Dragicevic in that case.

 

[montreal]

I don't care if Wood's skating sucks.. honestly, he might be a better prospect than Dvorsky.

He's a better shooter.
He's a better passer.
He has better hands.
He's better on the wall and in puck protection.

I think it'd be extremely valuable to have an actual net front with skills on the PP. He could certainly play like Brady Tkachuk on the PP.

An option for the Florida pick.

His skating is soooooo bad. But yeah, he's still one of the best offensive talents in the draft.

I really hate taking guys with poor skating in the 1st round. It’s never worked out for the Habs (Chuck, KK, Scherbak). Chances are very low that he can become a Jason Robertson and overcome it to that extent. It’s just a bit rich for my blood in the Top-15. I’d rather take a gamble on a RD like Reinbacher or Dragicevic in that case.

It's almost shift by shift against one of the weaker teams in the NCAA, After watching him move around so slowly I just don't think I could pick him top 10, granted that behind the back pass he made was nice and shows he's more then just the shot and lanky frame but man is he lumbering out there.

 

[jaffy27]

If Michkov slips, i would take a chance on him, he's definitely the second best in the draft.

Well it’s not really taking a chance on him if he’s 2nd best.

I reckon we selecting 4-5-6…..if he’s there with our pick and Fantilli nor Carlsson still on the board, you sprint to the podium and make him a Hab with your selection.

His talent is undeniable but his contract situation will certainly scare some teams off especially in top 5

 

[Matthew McConaughay]

Well it’s not really taking a chance on him if he’s 2nd best.

I reckon we selecting 4-5-6…..if he’s there with our pick and Fantilli nor Carlsson still on the board, you sprint to the podium and make him a Hab with your selection.

His talent is undeniable but his contract situation will certainly scare some teams off especially in top 5

But depends what happens with Russia, will they let him go ?

 

[jaffy27]

But depends what happens with Russia, will they let him go ?

My guess is no, not sure what can and can’t be done legally as in buying him out from current KHL team.

Then there’s the Russian government…..who knows really.

Long term shouldn’t be an issue but short term is very foggy.