2023 NHL Entry Draft

[SOLR]

Yes Landerskog is a much better projection for Barlow.

He's a bit of a bully, and he's nearly impossible to stop physically. These are generally very HARD players to get or they have no talent. We need this kind of player to win cups. Now, Roy is kinda going in that direction, but without as much speed/ size / sandpapper.

 

[Seb]

Yes Landerskog is a much better projection for Barlow.

He's a bit of a bully, and he's nearly impossible to stop physically. These are generally very HARD players to get or they have no talent. We need this kind of player to win cups. Now, Roy is kinda going in that direction, but without as much speed/ size / sandpapper.

Wouldn't it be the case because he's physically much more mature than his peers?

He looks like a man playing against kids...

 

[WeThreeKings]

Wouldn't it be the case because he's physically much more mature than his peers?

He looks like a man playing against kids...

That's my issue. I'm having a hard time seeing him be a top 6 player when he plays up.

 

[SOLR]

Wouldn't it be the case because he's physically much more mature than his peers?

He looks like a man playing against kids...

He was like that at 15 against 18 years old...

That's my issue. I'm having a hard time seeing him be a top 6 player when he plays up.

I think you missed the beginning of that story a bit, you wouldn't be concerned.

 

[JT3]

I mean yeah, sometimes it is hard to project guys who are physically dominant at a younger age because they're playing against kids who aren't so physically mature yet. But Barlow is big and skilled, and you can't get players like him in the pro's without drafting them because they just don't become available. Most of the time if you want a player like that you need to draft them.

Personally I'm not too worried about Barlow busting because I think he's smart player with good skating, solid skill and a wicked shot. I'm not quite sure I would take him with our own pick as I'd rather swing on a high upside player, but if there's any chance we can take him with Florida's pick I'm probably running to the stage.

Also, even if a player is physically mature it doesn't mean they won't continue to progress and get stronger. Arber Xhekaj is a goddamn monster and I don't think anyone here thinks he's a finished project. I feel safer lumping Barlow in the Timo Meier/Landeskog/M. Tkachuk mold than I do say a Nick Ritchie/Lawson Crouse.

 

[Playmaker09]

That's my issue. I'm having a hard time seeing him be a top 6 player when he plays up.

He's an incredibly gifted goal scorer. He has power, release, accuracy, a dangerous backhand as well. Has great hands in tight. His positioning, timing and spatial awareness are all great.

As an example, the goal below is incredibly hard to execute. A one timer across your body far side with that much power is ridiculous.



He's just not a play driver. But that's fine, so long as you play him with one. He's more Meier than Landeskog IMO.

 

[Playmaker09]

If you’re 5’10 160lbs, you should have an elite physical trait (ie skating, shot). He doesn’t. He’ll be a really good player, but it’s a legitimate concern in a draft this good.

His motor is elite.

Is his passing as high-end as Smith or Cristall? Although it's very good, no. But he will get there all the same through sheer volume.

The guy is always. on. the. puck. like no prospect I've seen. And that leads to countless opportunities to make plays.

He can help Suzuki get to 35-40 goals the same way Marchand's development helped Bergeron. I guarantee you Suzuki never goes another stretch of 5 points in 15 games with Benson on his wing.

Look how Yager was put into such a position to shine at the Hlinka compared to when he plays in Moose Jaw with Firkus.

Come to think of it, he's basically an improved version of Saku - more tenacious and with a better scoring touch - who would have thrived in today's NHL.

 

[Goldenhands]

They need a guy who can lead a line offensively. I'm not interested in recreating a Bergevin team with a bunch of 20 goal guys.

Barlow older, physically mature and doesn't look like there's much more growth to his game. His goal scoring isn't gonna scale up to a perennial 30 goal guy.

There are a couple of kids I would draft over Barlow mostly because of the skating, but lets say we draft around 15th OV with the Florida pick, I highly doubt you will find a play driving foward there. Most wingers arent play drivers anyway, unless you are a Kaprizov, Panarin, Pastrnak...

 

[Playmaker09]

There are a couple of kids I would draft over Barlow mostly because of the skating, but lets say we draft around 15th OV with the Florida pick, I highly doubt you will find a play driving foward there. Most wingers arent play drivers anyway, unless you are a Kaprizov, Panarin, Pastrnak...

Just as a side note, the NHL has changed a lot in that regard over the past ~10 years.

Way more play driving wingers and opportunistic centers than there used to be.

Players like Thornton, Getzlaf, Backstrom, Sedin, Savard, Gomez, Stastny, Brad Richards, Ribeiro, Saku, Mikko who would put up 20g 60a+ are a dying breed outside of elite skaters in Barzal, Thomas and Kuznetsov. Part of why I prefer Dach on the wing - and also his boardplay.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I really like Colby Barlow, him and Riley Heidt are really underrated in this draft. They are both top 12 talent. Both have potential top 6, no doubt.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

People here arguing about player this player that, limited upside, too risky, and here I had this random nightmare pop up while half asleep this morning:

"With the 6th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Canadiens select.....from the University of Wisconsin-Madison..."

 

[TomKosto]

There are a couple of kids I would draft over Barlow mostly because of the skating, but lets say we draft around 15th OV with the Florida pick, I highly doubt you will find a play driving foward there. Most wingers arent play drivers anyway, unless you are a Kaprizov, Panarin, Pastrnak...

Kucherov,Kane,Rantanen,Marner, Marchand, Ovy, Gaudreau(3years back), etc. There's a lot of play drivers at foward. I woukd go with highest upside. Still at 15, we could have a good prospect. I really want Hughes to add an other first rounder.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

Terribly underrated prospect, while he isnt as flashy and sexy as kids like Benson, Cristall, he is a very effective 2-way player who uses his size/reach greatly, plays a simple effective 200 ft. game combined with strong goalscoring skills. Playing a mature game already doesnt make him a finished product yet, it only tells you about his hockey IQ and pro level potential. I think any team drafting this kid gets a pretty solid top 6 winger in the making. Habs need a Barlow in their top 6 more than a Benson or a Cristall.

Your last sentence says it all.

 

[TomKosto]

Your last sentence says it all.

But do you draft for need or potential?

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

But do you draft for need or potential?

Sometimes, you find both in one player. But I wouldn’t take Barlow over Smith. That would be reaching and overlooking a more talented player who also fills a need and has great potential.

I’m like most, getting older and wondering when will Habs ever draft their very own excellent 1C.

Barlow is not dissimilar to Beck in that he’s a smart, responsible player, but the kid scores goals with a good wrister. I think he’d be great on the forecheck and cycling/puck possession.

I think he’s a great pick in 10-12 range.

 

[Goldenhands]

But do you draft for need or potential?

You draft to build a championship team, ideally big fast and talented at the top of the draft. small talented players drops all the time, you cant have too many on your team unless they are deceptively fast and tremendously talented.

Why Benson or Cristall when you can potentially draft a Brindley later in the draft?

 

[Weber Fan]

I have a hard time ranking these 4 players…Leonard, Heidt, Danielson and Ritchie. How do you guys rank them?

 

[Goldenhands]

I have a hard time ranking these 4 players…Leonard, Heidt, Danielson and Ritchie. How do you guys rank them?

Leonard has no competition here.

Leonard (top 10 talent in the draft)

Heidt (late 1st)
Ritchie (late 1st)
Danielson (2nd round)

 

[Mrb1p]

Leonard has no competition here.

Leonard (top 10 talent in the draft)

Heidt (late 1st)
Ritchie (late 1st)
Danielson (2nd round)

Thats because you haven't seen Heidt. Heidt is basically the playmaking version of Leonard and Id say hes a much better shooter than Leonard is a playmaker. He has a similar pro style game but is a better skater. Both are little bulldogs.

Riley Heidt is the most underrated player in this draft. Debating having him at #6 right now.

 

[le_sean]

His motor is elite.

Is his passing as high-end as Smith or Cristall? Although it's very good, no. But he will get there all the same through sheer volume.

The guy is always. on. the. puck. like no prospect I've seen. And that leads to countless opportunities to make plays.

He can help Suzuki get to 35-40 goals the same way Marchand's development helped Bergeron. I guarantee you Suzuki never goes another stretch of 5 points in 15 games with Benson on his wing.

Look how Yager was put into such a position to shine at the Hlinka compared to when he plays in Moose Jaw with Firkus.

Come to think of it, he's basically an improved version of Saku - more tenacious and with a better scoring touch - who would have thrived in today's NHL.

Which is why he’ll go 5-10. I just wonder if the upside is as high as others in that range.

 

[Tutu to]

Leonard has no competition here.

Leonard (top 10 talent in the draft)

Heidt (late 1st)
Ritchie (late 1st)
Danielson (2nd round)

Whose your top 10?

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

Man would it be crazy if Will Smith is available when Habs pick him and they have the actor Will Smith come on the stage with them to announce the pick?

Wish he would slap the taste of the mouth of Buttman

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Thats because you haven't seen Heidt. Heidt is basically the playmaking version of Leonard and Id say hes a much better shooter than Leonard is a playmaker. He has a similar pro style game but is a better skater. Both are little bulldogs.

Riley Heidt is the most underrated player in this draft. Debating having him at #6 right now.

You went from he isn't top 15 in this draft to he may be top 6 in a couple months on Heidt. Interesting. We had this discussion earlier this season.



Anyways, came here to post this link. The Hockey News did a 1st round draft ranking based on analytics only. No opinion.


Categories are:

Elite: McDavid, Crosby type performance

Top Line: Pettersson, Stutzle, Kopitar, Barkov, etc.

Top 6: can become top line, but not a sure thing, should develop into top 6 forward Minimum

Impact: has the largest variance swing, could become a top line player, top 6, could bust, could be middle 6

Regular: more likely to be bottom 6, or bust.

All Math, No Opinion 2023 NHL Draft Rankings

What would the projected picks be if you took an entirely analytical approach to the process? These were the results.

thehockeynews.com

Only one player is considered in the Elite category. Any guesses?

 

[Mrb1p]

You went from he isn't top 15 in this draft to he may be top 6 in a couple months on Heidt. Interesting. We had this discussion earlier this season.



Anyways, came here to post this link. The Hockey News did a 1st round draft ranking based on analytics only. No opinion.


Categories are:

Elite: McDavid, Crosby type performance

Top Line: Pettersson, Stutzle, Kopitar, Barkov, etc.

Top 6: can become top line, but not a sure thing, should develop into top 6 forward Minimum

Impact: has the largest variance swing, could become a top line player, top 6, could bust, could be middle 6

Regular: more likely to be bottom 6, or bust.

All Math, No Opinion 2023 NHL Draft Rankings

What would the projected picks be if you took an entirely analytical approach to the process? These were the results.

thehockeynews.com

Only one player is considered in the Elite category. Any guesses?

I dont think that was me, I always had Riley pretty high. I did have reservation from a size standpoint but everyone's small in this f***ing draft.

 

[Playmaker09]

Thats because you haven't seen Heidt. Heidt is basically the playmaking version of Leonard and Id say hes a much better shooter than Leonard is a playmaker. He has a similar pro style game but is a better skater. Both are little bulldogs.

Riley Heidt is the most underrated player in this draft. Debating having him at #6 right now.

I've been saying Heidt is Suzuki with a worse shot/better skating for a while. I think more in the 8-13 range though.

He's got that heavy, low center of gravity that'll allow him to shield and protect the puck well at all levels. Defense needs to develop, but so long as he makes it a focus, as Suzuki did, he can probably get up to at least NHL average.