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?
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 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'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.
To simplify in EA NHL terms for the gamers: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.
Central scouting has him ranked 4th, I really ilke their ranking: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.
Are usntdp guys getting underrated this year due to strength of the rest of the class?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)
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.Are usntdp guys getting underrated this year due to strength of the rest of the class?
Colby Barlow, man. (!!!)Can't wait to come out of this draft with *checks notes*
Riley Heidt and Samuel Honzek.
Tremble in fear, Eastern Conference.
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.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)
1.BedardHow would you rank these guys?
Danielson?
- Bédard
- Michkov
- Carlsson
- Fantilli
- Smith
- Benson
- Yager
- Moore
- Dvorsky
- Cristall
- Sale
- Barlow
- Musty
- Leonard
Heidt?
Ritchie?
Wood?
How would you rank these guys?
Danielson?
- Bédard
- Michkov
- Carlsson
- Fantilli
- Smith
- Benson
- Yager
- Moore
- Dvorsky
- Cristall
- Sale
- Barlow
- Musty
- Leonard
Heidt?
Ritchie?
Wood?
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.