2023 NHL Entry Draft

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Smith, Yager, Cristall, Benson, Dvorsky fill out the picks between 5-9 which is our range
 
How would you rank these guys?

  1. Bédard
  2. Michkov
  3. Carlsson
  4. Fantilli
  5. Smith
  6. Benson
  7. Yager
  8. Moore
  9. Dvorsky
  10. Cristall
  11. Sale
  12. Barlow
  13. Musty
  14. Leonard
Danielson?
Heidt?
Ritchie?
Wood?
 
Most people don't care about the political situation in Russia, it's a contract situation like Kaprizov, who re-signed multiple KHL deals after he was drafted and made Wild fans panic on numerous occasions. Nobody even knows if Michkov wants to come to the NHL as soon as his contract is up.

I'm not very in tune with Russia hockey culture, but I assume there is a lot of debate about Michkov over there. Rotenberg and Michkov both probably aren't super happy with how he struggled with the team this season and now he has been lighting it up on loan.

Roman Rotenberg remaining in control of SKA and the National team is probably the worst possible news for Michkov. His father is an oligarch / known Putin ally and his whole family has been sanctioned by the USA and Canada for the war efforts.



Who are you looking to get at 6 or 7? Assuming the big 4 + Smith are gone...

Benson or Cristall? Wood or Heidt?

Yager or Benson. Cristall is close. I think Wood and Heidt are Florida candidates.
 
I think a lot more Ds will come out of the woodwork to fill out the back half of my 1st round, as I'm big on drafting D and 3C in the 25-40 range.

Sale and Yager could move up a tier eventually. Musty could also move up a tier.

1 Connor Bedard (C)

2 Matvei Michkov (RW)
3 Adam Fantilli (C)
4 Leo Carlsson (W/C)

5 Zach Benson (W/C)
6 Will Smith (C/RW)
7 Andrew Cristall (LW)
8 Colby Barlow (LW)

9 Eduard Sale (RW)
10 Brayden Yager (C)
11 David Reinbacher (RD)
12 Riley Heidt (C)
13 Dalibor Dvorsky (C)

14 Nate Danielson (C)
15 Ryan Leonard (C/RW)
16 Quentin Musty (LW)
17 Matthew Wood (RW)
18 Calum Ritchie (C)
19 Oliver Moore (C)
20 Axel Sandin Pellikka (RD)
21 Lukas Dragicevic (RD)

22 Samuel Honzek (C)
23 Dmitri Simashev (LD)
24 Gavin Brindley (RW)
25 Koehn Ziemmer (RW)
 
Still think we'll end up 6th pre-lottery which isn't bad. With that I'd hope we can end up with Smith or Benson, assuming Michkov doesn't fall.

Bob McKenzie should be releasing his mid-season draft rankings soon. Last year it dropped on January 20th.

I've got:

Tier 1 - Generational:
1. Connor Bedard

Tier 2 - Franchise:
2. Leo Carlsson
3. Adam Fantilli
4. Matvei Michkov

Tier 3 - Star:
5. Will Smith
6. Brayden Yager

Tier 4 - First Liners:
7. Andrew Cristall
8. Zach Benson
9. Eduard Sale

Tier 5 - Top 6ers (i.e. can play on your top line, but more likely 2nd liners or 2nd pair)
10. Dalibor Dvorsky
11. Lukas Dragicevic
12. Mikhail Gulyayev
13. Riley Heidt
14. Matthew Wood
15. David Reinbacher
16. Axel Sandin-Pelikka

Tier 6 - Middle 6ers but could hit and become top 6ers
17. Calum Ritchie
18. Samuel Honzek
19. Nate Danielson
20. Oliver Moore
21. Ryan Leonard
22. Michal Hrabal

After that, my next tier are guys with really good upside but weaknesses that need to be addressed
23. Noah Dower-Nilsson
24. Koehn Ziemmer
25. Quentin Musty
26. Cameron Allen
27. Colby Barlow
28. Carson Bjarnason

So we really need to pick top 9 at minimum but top 6 is crucial.
 
I've got:

Tier 1 - Generational:
1. Connor Bedard

Tier 2 - Franchise:
2. Leo Carlsson
3. Adam Fantilli
4. Matvei Michkov

Tier 3 - Star:
5. Will Smith
6. Brayden Yager

Tier 4 - First Liners:
7. Andrew Cristall
8. Zach Benson
9. Eduard Sale

Tier 5 - Top 6ers (i.e. can play on your top line, but more likely 2nd liners or 2nd pair)
10. Dalibor Dvorsky
11. Lukas Dragicevic
12. Mikhail Gulyayev
13. Riley Heidt
14. Matthew Wood
15. David Reinbacher
16. Axel Sandin-Pelikka

Tier 6 - Middle 6ers but could hit and become top 6ers
17. Calum Ritchie
18. Samuel Honzek
19. Nate Danielson
20. Oliver Moore
21. Ryan Leonard
22. Michal Hrabal

After that, my next tier are guys with really good upside but weaknesses that need to be addressed
23. Noah Dower-Nilsson
24. Koehn Ziemmer
25. Quentin Musty
26. Cameron Allen
27. Colby Barlow
28. Carson Bjarnason

So we really need to pick top 9 at minimum but top 6 is crucial.
I can see Leonard become a top 6 player, pretty underrated, i think some eyes will open up near the draft, kinda like Gauthier last draft.
 
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I can see Leonard become a top 6 player, pretty underrated, i think some eyes will open up near the draft, kinda like Gauthier last draft.

I liked Gauthier early but he definitely got over-drafted, imo.

I don't think he's a NHL center and I don't think his IQ is very high. Snuggerud is someone's whose IQ I absolutely hated but he's made strides, I don't think he's a smart player by any means but he's learned not to stare directly at the puck and skate into his linemates anymore.
 
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I've got:

Tier 1 - Generational:
1. Connor Bedard

Tier 2 - Franchise:
2. Leo Carlsson
3. Adam Fantilli
4. Matvei Michkov

Tier 3 - Star:
5. Will Smith
6. Brayden Yager

Tier 4 - First Liners:
7. Andrew Cristall
8. Zach Benson
9. Eduard Sale

Tier 5 - Top 6ers (i.e. can play on your top line, but more likely 2nd liners or 2nd pair)
10. Dalibor Dvorsky
11. Lukas Dragicevic
12. Mikhail Gulyayev
13. Riley Heidt
14. Matthew Wood
15. David Reinbacher
16. Axel Sandin-Pelikka

Tier 6 - Middle 6ers but could hit and become top 6ers
17. Calum Ritchie
18. Samuel Honzek
19. Nate Danielson
20. Oliver Moore
21. Ryan Leonard
22. Michal Hrabal

After that, my next tier are guys with really good upside but weaknesses that need to be addressed
23. Noah Dower-Nilsson
24. Koehn Ziemmer
25. Quentin Musty
26. Cameron Allen
27. Colby Barlow
28. Carson Bjarnason

So we really need to pick top 9 at minimum but top 6 is crucial.
To simplify in EA NHL terms for the gamers:

Franchise Medium (no generational tag in the game): Bedard 93+

Elite High: Carlsson, Fantilli and Michkov 90-93

Elite Medium: Smith, Yager 88-91

Top-6 Medium: Cristall, Sale and Benson 86-88

But in seriousness, I’d say we need to be in the top-6 for sure, 100%.
 
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taken from the prospects board from the Will Smith thread,

Will Smith:
NCAA 18 games, 11+20=31 (1,72)
USHL 10 games, 5+14=19 (1,9)
Internat. 4 games, 6+3=9 (2,25)

Gabriel Perreault:
NCAA 18 games, 16+16+32 (1,78)
USHL 13 games, 10+13=23 (1,77)
Internat. 4 games, 4+5=9 (2,25)

Ryan Leonard:
NCAA 18 games, 13+14=27 (1,5)
USHL 8 games, 7+3=10 (1,25)
Internat. 4 games, 3+4=7 (1,75)

Oliver Moore:
NCAA 16 games, 9+13=22 (1,38)
USHL 13 games, 7+10=17 (1,31)
Internat. 4 games, 4+2=6 (1,5)

Danny Nelson:
NCAA 17 games, 5+7=12 (0,71)
USHL 13 games, 5+4=9 (0,69)
Internat. 4 games, 1+4=5 (1,25)
 
I can see Leonard become a top 6 player, pretty underrated, i think some eyes will open up near the draft, kinda like Gauthier last draft.
Central scouting has him ranked 4th, I really ilke their ranking:

Bedard
Fantilli
Smith
Leonard
Yager
Moore
Benson

Mine would be close:

Bedard
Fantilli
Smith
Leonard/Moore
Moore/Leonard
Barlow
Benson
 
taken from the prospects board from the Will Smith thread,

Will Smith:
NCAA 18 games, 11+20=31 (1,72)
USHL 10 games, 5+14=19 (1,9)
Internat. 4 games, 6+3=9 (2,25)

Gabriel Perreault:
NCAA 18 games, 16+16+32 (1,78)
USHL 13 games, 10+13=23 (1,77)
Internat. 4 games, 4+5=9 (2,25)

Ryan Leonard:
NCAA 18 games, 13+14=27 (1,5)
USHL 8 games, 7+3=10 (1,25)
Internat. 4 games, 3+4=7 (1,75)

Oliver Moore:
NCAA 16 games, 9+13=22 (1,38)
USHL 13 games, 7+10=17 (1,31)
Internat. 4 games, 4+2=6 (1,5)

Danny Nelson:
NCAA 17 games, 5+7=12 (0,71)
USHL 13 games, 5+4=9 (0,69)
Internat. 4 games, 1+4=5 (1,25)
Are usntdp guys getting underrated this year due to strength of the rest of the class?
 
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Are usntdp guys getting underrated this year due to strength of the rest of the class?
Alot of people find them dificult to evaluate since the team is stacked year after year, While its true, you still can assess their games after extended watching. I would say they are underrated for sure, especially the way guys like Yager and Salé have been handling themself this season so far... US kids are highly talended as well, but have speed to burn, are highly dynamic ccombined with high IQ and they play the right way, the reason why some poeple have them pretty high, the risk factor is very low vs some other kids.
 
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Can't wait to come out of this draft with *checks notes*

Riley Heidt and Samuel Honzek.

Tremble in fear, Eastern Conference.
Colby Barlow, man. (!!!)

That’s what I tell myself. But then, where’s that prime center? With more luck than we seem to have right now, I’d be elated with Smith and Barlow.

This month is breaking (real) bad…and those Canucks might be poised for a deep dive.
((( facepalm icon )))
 
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I think a lot more Ds will come out of the woodwork to fill out the back half of my 1st round, as I'm big on drafting D and 3C in the 25-40 range.

Sale and Yager could move up a tier eventually. Musty could also move up a tier.

1 Connor Bedard (C)

2 Matvei Michkov (RW)
3 Adam Fantilli (C)
4 Leo Carlsson (W/C)

5 Zach Benson (W/C)
6 Will Smith (C/RW)
7 Andrew Cristall (LW)
8 Colby Barlow (LW)

9 Eduard Sale (RW)
10 Brayden Yager (C)
11 David Reinbacher (RD)
12 Riley Heidt (C)
13 Dalibor Dvorsky (C)

14 Nate Danielson (C)
15 Ryan Leonard (C/RW)
16 Quentin Musty (LW)
17 Matthew Wood (RW)
18 Calum Ritchie (C)
19 Oliver Moore (C)
20 Axel Sandin Pellikka (RD)
21 Lukas Dragicevic (RD)

22 Samuel Honzek (C)
23 Dmitri Simashev (LD)
24 Gavin Brindley (RW)
25 Koehn Ziemmer (RW)
Moore at 19? You low on him. I have him at 10. The speed and hands, plus center. I think he is 90% of Cooley. Honzek wildcard for me. If Florida pick is 15-20? Been injured though. I hate taking guys that missed parts of their draft years. I did that before and got burnt. Leonard at 15 maybe interesting pick? Hate his hands though. But he gets much hype in draft boards. Reinbacher as top D likely go overvalued. I don't have him on my radar. He could go high as 8th. Dragicevic with his offense somebody to take longer look at instead. Bonk if we acquire another first. Ziemmer I like also if we get another first.
 
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How would you rank these guys?

  1. Bédard
  2. Michkov
  3. Carlsson
  4. Fantilli
  5. Smith
  6. Benson
  7. Yager
  8. Moore
  9. Dvorsky
  10. Cristall
  11. Sale
  12. Barlow
  13. Musty
  14. Leonard
Danielson?
Heidt?
Ritchie?
Wood?
1.Bedard
2.Mitchkov
3.Smith
4.Carlsson
5.Fantilli
6.Benson
7.Sale
8.Yager
9.Leonard
10.Cristall
11.Dvorsky
12.Reinbacher
13.Gulyayev
14.Moore
15.Sandin-Pelikka
 
Not enough talk about Étienne Morin

An other riser is Maël Lavigne. Big 6’3 C that have took his offensive game to an other level since he has been traded to Victoriaville
 
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Thoughts on Alexander Rykov? 11 points in 20 games in the VHL. Haven't heard his name as much as other potential Russian 1st/2nd rounders like But or Simashev
 
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Just looking at stats, Benson would be a sick pick. Not too often players tear up the W like that and have such a gap over a guy like Savoie that was highly touted himself while being a year old
 
I've got:

Tier 1 - Generational:
1. Connor Bedard

Tier 2 - Franchise:
2. Leo Carlsson
3. Adam Fantilli
4. Matvei Michkov

Tier 3 - Star:
5. Will Smith
6. Brayden Yager

Tier 4 - First Liners:
7. Andrew Cristall
8. Zach Benson
9. Eduard Sale

Tier 5 - Top 6ers (i.e. can play on your top line, but more likely 2nd liners or 2nd pair)
10. Dalibor Dvorsky
11. Lukas Dragicevic
12. Mikhail Gulyayev
13. Riley Heidt
14. Matthew Wood
15. David Reinbacher
16. Axel Sandin-Pelikka

Tier 6 - Middle 6ers but could hit and become top 6ers
17. Calum Ritchie
18. Samuel Honzek
19. Nate Danielson
20. Oliver Moore
21. Ryan Leonard
22. Michal Hrabal

After that, my next tier are guys with really good upside but weaknesses that need to be addressed
23. Noah Dower-Nilsson
24. Koehn Ziemmer
25. Quentin Musty
26. Cameron Allen
27. Colby Barlow
28. Carson Bjarnason

So we really need to pick top 9 at minimum but top 6 is crucial.

We are pretty much aligned. I just have Fantilli tier 3 and Dvorsky Tier 4
 
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