2023 NHL Entry Draft

[WeThreeKings]

Hughes gotta find a way for that 3rd 1st.

We need to make sure we grab a goalie and IDK if they'll still be sitting there at our round 2 pick.

 

[SOLR]

Hughes gotta find a way for that 3rd 1st.

We need to make sure we grab a goalie and IDK if they'll still be sitting there at our round 2 pick.

Not that unrealistic to think we could have 4 1st.

There will be many highway robberies picks in the 20s.

60-70 points is a realistic projection, but the potential of Slaf is more higher than that. If Dach can put 40-50 assists, Slafkovsky can do that aswell. He is already a good playmaker, the best behind Suzuki and Dach in my eyes. He give 3-4 great pass to Anderson on PP who don't score. He can easily put 25 goals next year, if he play on PP and having top 6 minute. His 4 goals this year are goals from a good goalscorer.

If Suzuki and Caufield have potential to become PPG players, Slafkovsky can do that aswell with a better team, when Habs are going to be good... I believe that Dach and Slafkovsky will put points like Suzuki and Caufield did.

Not saying he can't, I'm saying he won't typically do it. We shouldn't care about what he can do, we should only care about what a player does. I don't think he has enough IQ to consistently go 80 pts, or he would already be getting 30-40 pts this year. While I do expect Yager to go 80 pts+ from 22 years old.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

I guess people wouldn't want a Brad Marchand with us on the team because we've got Cole already and yes I think Benson compares to a Brad Marchand with a little less zest to his game

Benson will be a good one.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

Hughes gotta find a way for that 3rd 1st.

We need to make sure we grab a goalie and IDK if they'll still be sitting there at our round 2 pick.

Not a fan of picking a goalie in the 1st round. Too much uncertainty. I would much rather build a solid team and sign a goalie when the time comes. On average there are 3-4 goalies available for cheap every year who can do just fine behind a contender.

 

[Hope Of Glory]

What's the deal with Stenberg?

I think he was highly regarded before the year but there's hardly no talk of him, he's not even PPG at the J20 level yet he's a 1st rounder on a bunch of lists. He did play a dozen ganes in SHL though.

Is it a case of anchor bias? He's still in the mix because he was so high to begin with? Great tools but no toolbox? Low production because of bad luck? He's very young (May birthday) too.

 

[Mrb1p]

God damn this thread was the only one safe for the Slafkostans and now were overrun.

 

[le_sean]

Not that unrealistic to think we could have 4 1st.

There will be many highway robberies picks in the 20s.

We don’t have any players worth a 1st. I highly doubt we’ll have four 1sts in this draft. Maybe a team ponies up for Edmundson. Only other player I see getting a 1st is Anderson but I have doubts of him going now with all of the injuries.

 

[SOLR]

We don’t have any players worth a 1st. I highly doubt we’ll have four 1sts in this draft. Maybe a team ponies up for Edmundson. Only other player I see getting a 1st is Anderson but I have doubts of him going now with all of the injuries.

Yeah I think Dvorak gets you a late first to a contender hungry enough - he's also a cap management move for many teams that could stabilize a 3rd line.

Of course, we could decide to sell Savard as well - if the price is right.

What's the deal with Stenberg?

I think he was highly regarded before the year but there's hardly no talk of him, he's not even PPG at the J20 level yet he's a 1st rounder on a bunch of lists. He did play a dozen ganes in SHL though.

Is it a case of anchor bias? He's still in the mix because he was so high to begin with? Great tools but no toolbox? Low production because of bad luck? He's very young (May birthday) too.

I still have him around 20. I think scouts are very prone to recency bias. You ignore the guys who are showing they are a lot above average at U18/Hlinka (for example) at your own peril.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Not a fan of picking a goalie in the 1st round. Too much uncertainty. I would much rather build a solid team and sign a goalie when the time comes. On average there are 3-4 goalies available for cheap every year who can do just fine behind a contender.

It's important to invest in and grow an homegrown starter. Look at what terrible goalies like Jack Campbell have gotten as a UFA and he hasn't even gotten passed round 1. He also started behind one of those solid teams who thought they could put any goalie in net and have success.

I'd rather avoid having to put 5m on our cap on mediocre goalies like Kuemper, Campbell, etc. 'Cause even if they can do fine one year, they are rarely consistent, and missing out on your window because your goaltending isn't consistent sucks.

Colorado was sunk by Grubauer multiple times. Toronto was sunk by Campbell. Yet Tampa Bay remains an incredibly tough out every year cause they have Vasy.

The goalie position is a graveyard of mediocrity right now. It isn't like before where a lot of starters were capable, we've got a bunch of back-up goalies starting for prominent contending teams.

What's the deal with Stenberg?

I think he was highly regarded before the year but there's hardly no talk of him, he's not even PPG at the J20 level yet he's a 1st rounder on a bunch of lists. He did play a dozen ganes in SHL though.

Is it a case of anchor bias? He's still in the mix because he was so high to begin with? Great tools but no toolbox? Low production because of bad luck? He's very young (May birthday) too.

He's gonna be a value grab for someone.. it's kind of like Matthew Knies who had a good D-1 but not a great D season, and didn't get taken as high as they should based on traits.

Simply put, after the Hlinka he hasn't produced.

 

[Hope Of Glory]

I still have him around 20. I think scouts are very prone to recency bias. You ignore the guys who are showing they are a lot above average at U18/Hlinka (for example) at y

He's gonna be a value grab for someone.. it's kind of like Matthew Knies who had a good D-1 but not a great D season, and didn't get taken as high as they should based on traits.

Simply put, after the Hlinka he hasn't produced.

So I'm gonna assume that there's nothing inherently wrong with him (IQ, skating, etc). He's just having a less spectacular year in a spectacularly deep year.

Thanks guys. Will definitely look more into his case then.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

It's important to invest in and grow an homegrown starter. Look at what terrible goalies like Jack Campbell have gotten as a UFA and he hasn't even gotten passed round 1. He also started behind one of those solid teams who thought they could put any goalie in net and have success.

I'd rather avoid having to put 5m on our cap on mediocre goalies like Kuemper, Campbell, etc. 'Cause even if they can do fine one year, they are rarely consistent, and missing out on your window because your goaltending isn't consistent sucks.

Colorado was sunk by Grubauer multiple times. Toronto was sunk by Campbell. Yet Tampa Bay remains an incredibly tough out every year cause they have Vasy.

The goalie position is a graveyard of mediocrity right now. It isn't like before where a lot of starters were capable, we've got a bunch of back-up goalies starting for prominent contending teams.

I'm with you on that, I guess it just depends on where the goalie is picked. I have a hard time picking one in the 1st or at least before 25th, unless that goalie is very highly-touted. I am also not going to pretend that I know the goalie prospects this year so maybe there's one that's worth the high pick.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'm with you on that, I guess it just depends on where the goalie is picked. I have a hard time picking one in the 1st or at least before 25th, unless that goalie is very highly-touted. I am also not going to pretend that I know the goalie prospects this year so maybe there's one that's worth the high pick.

When you contextualize it, too. It would be a 3rd 1st and then you'd still have a high 2nd. When you look at our prospect pool, after you take BPA with the Habs and Florida picks, I think we can all agree that our pool is full of solid wingers and defenseman but lacking goaltending talent.

Also consider what the Stars did.. they got Oettinger with their 2nd 1st, got Heiskanen with their lottery pick and Robertson in round 2. Oettinger is a big part of that team and I'm sure they are glad they grabbed him.

There's Bjarnason and Hrabal that we can take.. they both have the size and the athleticism to be true starting goalies. I think we gotta make sure we grab one because we aren't the only organization out there wondering where future goaltending is going to come from.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

When you contextualize it, too. It would be a 3rd 1st and then you'd still have a high 2nd. When you look at our prospect pool, after you take BPA with the Habs and Florida picks, I think we can all agree that our pool is full of solid wingers and defenseman but lacking goaltending talent.

Also consider what the Stars did.. they got Oettinger with their 2nd 1st, got Heiskanen with their lottery pick and Robertson in round 2. Oettinger is a big part of that team and I'm sure they are glad they grabbed him.

There's Bjarnason and Hrabal that we can take.. they both have the size and the athleticism to be true starting goalies. I think we gotta make sure we grab one because we aren't the only organization out there wondering where future goaltending is going to come from.

For sure, Oettinger is the dream. The most enticing factor is the ELC and team control on the 2nd contract. Imagine having a quality starter on his ELC for 2 years, then on a reasonable bridge for 3 more. Gajan might also be worth a shot in the 2nd or 3rd?

 

[MarkovsKnee]

He said 2 point a game player at same level

Doesn't have Hughes skating. In any case, Smith will definitely play NCAA next year, and won't jump directly into NHL like Hughes did. He'll have time to gain strength & improve skating.

Smith is 2 years away. No way I want him going pro after one year like Turcotte did.

I agree that Smith is our pick if he's there.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Michkov with a goal and assist so far in this 1st period for Sochi. He's now at 5 goals and 8 pts so far this season on the worst team in the KHL. Today he's playing in his 15th game.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Doesn't have Hughes skating. In any case, Smith will definitely play NCAA next year, and won't jump directly into NHL like Hughes did. He'll have time to gain strength & improve skating.

Smith is 2 years away. No way I want him going pro after one year like Turcotte did.

I agree that Smith is our pick if he's there.

Yep, I do think the likeliest Canadiens right now is Will Smith.

Hughes knows him, he's high upside, he's skilled, he's smart and his faults, for the most part, are things that can be developed with Adam Nicholas.

And let's hope that Florida pick is high enough that we can grab Reinbacher.

Smith, Reinbacher and Bjarnason would be a dream round 1 for the Habs.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Yep, I do think the likeliest Canadiens right now is Will Smith.

Hughes knows him, he's high upside, he's skilled, he's smart and his faults, for the most part, are things that can be developed with Adam Nicholas.

And let's hope that Florida pick is high enough that we can grab Reinbacher.

Smith, Reinbacher and Bjarnason would be a dream round 1 for the Habs.

Except if FLA wins the lottery I don't see how MTL gets both Smith and Reinbacher because Imo they both go top 10

 

[WeThreeKings]

Except if FLA wins the lottery I don't see how MTL gets both Smith and Reinbacher because Imo they both go top 10

In the rare circumstance they stumble out of the bye week and get passed by Philly, Detroit and Ottawa.

 

[Vachon23]

Yep, I do think the likeliest Canadiens right now is Will Smith.

Hughes knows him, he's high upside, he's skilled, he's smart and his faults, for the most part, are things that can be developed with Adam Nicholas.

And let's hope that Florida pick is high enough that we can grab Reinbacher.

Smith, Reinbacher and Bjarnason would be a dream round 1 for the Habs.

Bjarnasson before Hrabal ?

 

[WeThreeKings]

Bjarnasson before Hrabal ?

They're close but I think we might get a return on investment quicker with Bjarnason.

 

[The Great Weal]

Anyone get the feeling that we trade up with the FLA pick to get Reinbacher? I'm REALLY liking his game and we desperately need RHD help because I'm not sold on Barron/Mailloux occupying the top 4.

 

[Jaynki]

Anyone get the feeling that we trade up with the FLA pick to get Reinbacher? I'm REALLY liking his game and we desperately need RHD help because I'm not sold on Barron/Mailloux occupying the top 4.

Some people on the organisation are sold on Mailloux, saying that he is the next big thing coming. (Bouillon)

Will we have to trade up to acquire Reinbacher with FLA pick tho ?

 

[WeThreeKings]

Some people on the organisation are sold on Mailloux, saying that he is the next big thing coming. (Bouillon)

Will we have to trade up to acquire Reinbacher with FLA pick tho ?

We just don't know.

There's a lot of runway left.

 

[MasterMatt25]

My top list:

Centres:
1. Connor Bedard
2. Adam Fantilli
3. Lucas Carlsson
4. Zach Benson
5. Will Smith
6. Brayden Yager
7. Dalibor Dvorsky

Left wing:
1. Eduard Sale
2. Andrew Cristall
3. Colby Barlow
4. Daniil But
5. Samuel Honzek

Right wing:
1. Matvei Michkov
2. Matthew Wood
3. Gabe Perreault
4. Ethan Gauthier
5. Koehn Ziemmer

Defensemen:
1. Axel Sandin-Pellikka
2. Mikhail Gulyayev
3. David Reinbacher
4. Dmitri Simashev
5. Lukas Dragicevic
6. Etienne Morin
7. Caden Price
8. Oliver Bonk
9. Theo Lindstein
10. Luca Cagnoni

Goalies:
1. Carson Bjarnason
2. Michal Hrabal
3. Trey Augustine

 

[DiglettDangles]

They're close but I think we might get a return on investment quicker with Bjarnason.

Honest question since I don't know how to scout/develop goalies, for the Bjarnason/Hrabal discussion.
Should we be worried about picking CHL goalies, considering they'll face nothing but junior players for the next 2-3 years?

If both guys were close enough, both good technically and high potential, I feel like I would want the European keeper that can build good habits against adults in Europe, or even jump in the AHL earlier. At some point there is so much a player can learn in the juniors in preparation for the pros, and a CHL goalie is stuck there even if he's looking ready for the next challenge. Even Jesus Price handled the CHL-to-pro technical transition with challenges.

There's also more flexibility on the contract/rights with a European goalie, no?