2023 NHL Entry Draft

[Mrb1p]

This management group will not be drafting any Russians. So you guys need to stop the Michkov talk. It won’t be happening.

Then we should be starting to talk about firing them because f*** that noise.

Talking of Brindley, just scored on a nice one-timer from distance setted up by Fantilli, a beauty!

Kind of goal that is absolutely not translatable. Actually would have me knock on the player if he took that and didnt score. Just an overall bad shot from a distance, those never go in on the rush with no screens.

Brindley vs Benson, debate open!

Brindley listed at 5'9 170 lbs, Benson 5'9 160 lbs, 2 lightweights with high IQ, high compete and mad skills.

Benson, stop.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Then we should be starting to talk about firing them because f*** that noise.

Kind of goal that is absolutely not translatable. Actually would have me knock on the player if he took that and didnt score. Just an overall bad shot from a distance, those never go in on the rush with no screens.


Benson, stop.

Wrong. They should be wary of drafting Russians at all. Signing one as a FA at least doesn't waste any assets.

 

[Mrb1p]

Alright, time to be eviscerated:

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]

Tier​

[/TD]

[TD]

Ranking​

[/TD]

[TD]

Last Name​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

1​

[/TD]

[TD]

Bedard​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

Michkov​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

Fantilli​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

2​

[/TD]

[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

Carlsson​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

Benson​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

3​

[/TD]

[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

Cristall​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

7​

[/TD]

[TD]

Smith​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

8​

[/TD]

[TD]

Moore​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

9​

[/TD]

[TD]

Sale​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

10​

[/TD]

[TD]

Gulyayev​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

11​

[/TD]

[TD]

Simashev​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

4​

[/TD]

[TD]

12​

[/TD]

[TD]

Reinbacher​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

13​

[/TD]

[TD]

Brindley​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

14​

[/TD]

[TD]

Sandin-Pellikka​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

15​

[/TD]

[TD]

Danielson​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

16​

[/TD]

[TD]

Leonard​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

17​

[/TD]

[TD]

Heidt​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

18​

[/TD]

[TD]

Wood​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

19​

[/TD]

[TD]

Musty​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

20​

[/TD]

[TD]

Cagnoni​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

5​

[/TD]

[TD]

21​

[/TD]

[TD]

Dvorsky​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

22​

[/TD]

[TD]

Perron​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

23​

[/TD]

[TD]

Yager​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

24​

[/TD]

[TD]

Barlow​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

25​

[/TD]

[TD]

Honzek​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

26​

[/TD]

[TD]

Whitelaw​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

27​

[/TD]

[TD]

Price​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

28​

[/TD]

[TD]

Sawchyn​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

29​

[/TD]

[TD]

Molendyk​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

30​

[/TD]

[TD]

Willander​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

31​

[/TD]

[TD]

Pinelli​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

6​

[/TD]

[TD]

32​

[/TD]

[TD]

Misiak​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

To try something a little different, I added tiers to sort of give an idea as to my happiness level at certain pick ranges. If the player's corresponding tier is equivalent or -1 (or -2), then I am very happy with the pick. If the player selected's tier is +1, then I am okay with it and could be convinced it's a solid pick. +2 and above is where I start getting a little more iffy.

Example: Habs end up with pick #9, which on this board would correspond with tier 4. If the player selected is Oliver Moore or David Reinbacher, I'm happy with the result. If it's Zach Benson (tier 3) that gets selected, I am over the moon. If it's Ryan Leonard (tier 5) that goes at #9, then I could rationalize the pick and be fine with it. If the Habs pick William Whitelaw at #9 (tier 6), then I'd be asking questions.

Edit: As a disclaimer, this is purely for fun and is a reflection of my experience watching these players while keeping some room for more professional opinions where I can admit to incomplete information. I am not a professional scout nor do I have the time and resources to put together film as some better posters here can.

Having said such, every player mentioned here has to have been seen on at least two occasions minimum and at least once in a club setting. As someone who has not seen any BCHL games, I cannot in good faith rank someone like Bradley Nadeau or Aydar Suniev.

On the positive side, I still think I've seen some of these players more than Craig Button.

I think Heidt, Yager, Wood and Dvorsky are criminally low and dare I say, even Barlow. Gulyalyev (Weve talked about this), Danielson, Simashev, Sale and to a lesser extent Moore are too high for me. Even Brindley.

All in all, its a pretty conservative ranking Id say, youre going for the easy NHLers here, I think. Not a knock on your ranking, we all rank differently.

Wrong. They should be wary of drafting Russians at all. Signing one as a FA at least doesn't waste any assets.

What? Why should they be ?

 

[le_sean]

Brindley can play both positions too, was used down the middle tonight, the IQ is high end as well. I would say Benson's offensive production in the WHL is the main reason why he is ahead on most lists, Brindley is just getting started on a stacked Wolverines team, his numbers will get more attention from now.

Keep in mind that Brindley is also an older prospect with an early October birthday. Benson is 6 months younger.

I also like Benson’s track record more. He was elite last year as well. Brindley is jumping on the scene this season. There’s a constant upwards trajectory for Benson that spans longer.

 

[Goldenhands]

Keep in mind that Brindley is also an older prospect with an early October birthday. Benson is 6 months younger.

I also like Benson’s track record more. He was elite last year as well Brindley is jumping on the scene this season. There’s a constant upwards trajectory for Benson that spans longer.

Benson looks like a teen too, so maybe there is some growth spurt upcoming.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Keep in mind that Brindley is also an older prospect with an early October birthday. Benson is 6 months younger.

I also like Benson’s track record more. He was elite last year as well. Brindley is jumping on the scene this season. There’s a constant upwards trajectory for Benson that spans longer.

Brindley didn't come out of nowhere. He played USHL last year & a bit with the USDP. He was also at the u18s last year, along with Leonard, Smith & Stramel.

Brindley has seen upwards trajectory improvements in his game every year too. He almost doubled his point titles from his USHL rookie season to his 2nd season then made the early jump to NCAA this year. He got off to a bit off a slow start, but has picked it up post-WJC's with 14 points in his last 10 games.

Brindley is definitely going to be an NHLer, although I do think Benson has the higher offensive upside. They're not as far apart as people seem to think.

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

I think Heidt, Yager, Wood and Dvorsky are criminally low and dare I say, even Barlow. Gulyalyev (Weve talked about this), Danielson, Simashev, Sale and to a lesser extent Moore are too high for me. Even Brindley.

All in all, its a pretty conservative ranking Id say, youre going for the easy NHLers here, I think. Not a knock on your ranking, we all rank differently.


What? Why should they be ?

Thank you for the comments!

I think Heidt is the one I've struggled with the most in terms of how high I want him at this point, because I really do like his skill level. Perhaps this one can be chalked up to needing more views for re-assurance as I started the Prince George Cougars viewings a little late, but I don't think you're necessarily wrong about the low rating.

Dvorsky is ironically someone who I do not view as high-upside but quite safe, he seems to think the game very well but without the creativity to reach the next level offensively at this stage. Doesn't have elite skill either from my viewings, and I do think he'll need to work hard on his skating before I view him as a bonafide top-six C prospect. I project him as a 3C most likely, one who operates on both special teams and therefore carries good value as a mid first round pick.

Wood has shown more offensively than Dvorsky thus far, love his size and hands, but man oh man is his skating ugly. Bit of a gamble but a pretty decent one, I remain intrigued.

Yager is the one guy I cannot get a handle of. He's consistently ranked as if he is a potential franchise player, but I do not see anything of the sort. Excellent release from the slot and decent breakaway speed, otherwise barely moves the needle most games.

 

[HuGort]

What risk? Respectfully, do you have any idea how good he is?

No way, I got chance draft Will Smith or Benson I am selecting him. Be more than satisfied. Not gambling him on Russian guy who might or might not be better.

Unless Russian slides to Florida pick. Some think he may slide greatly.

 

[Kojo]

We're in 2023 who cares about Michkov's nationality, he's the second coming of Gretzky that's what is important here.

 

[WeThreeKings]

But you would be happy to spend a 5th OV pick on Benson?

Curious to know what you think separates the 2 concretely.

Brindley is a support player and Benson is a play driver. They are both smart but Benson is smart in how do I break this team down and create offense at a high clip. Brindleys smarts are how do I support the play to keep it moving forward.

Benson processing speed is way higher. That processing allows him to make threatening passes sooner and put players in advantageous spots before the lane is closed. Benson creates lanes and plays that aren't immediately there. Brindley just takes the space that is there and that's not always going to lead to high danger even if the play doesnt end.

Benson in tight is more lethal and I think he has a tier better of a shot. His handles and the way he deceives with his hands and edges is far more advanced than Brindley.

They're just an entirely different class of player. Brindley is a second rounder and Benson is a top ten pick. Processing speed, skill, smarts, mentality.. it's all advantage Benson.

I'd rather take Rehkopf at the Panthers pick than Brindley. And neither should be in the convo.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Really like him in the early 2nd round.

 

[Vachon23]

No way, I got chance draft Will Smith or Benson I am selecting him. Be more than satisfied. Not gambling him on Russian guy who might or might not be better.

Unless Russian slides to Florida pick. Some think he may slide greatly.

I mean Smith and Benson are really good but Michkov is at an other level. He’s closer to Bedard level then he his from Smith/Benson

 

[WeThreeKings]

I mean Smith and Benson are really good but Michkov is at an other level. He’s closer to Bedard level then he his from Smith/Benson

Really too bad he signed that contract and Putin isn't f***ing dead yet.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Brindley is a support player and Benson is a play driver. They are both smart but Benson is smart in how do I break this team down and create offense at a high clip. Brindleys smarts are how do I support the play to keep it moving forward.

Benson processing speed is way higher. That processing allows him to make threatening passes sooner and put players in advantageous spots before the lane is closed. Benson creates lanes and plays that aren't immediately there. Brindley just takes the space that is there and that's not always going to lead to high danger even if the play doesnt end.

Benson in tight is more lethal and I think he has a tier better of a shot. His handles and the way he deceives with his hands and edges is far more advanced than Brindley.

They're just an entirely different class of player. Brindley is a second rounder and Benson is a top ten pick. Processing speed, skill, smarts, mentality.. it's all advantage Benson.

I'd rather take Rehkopf at the Panthers pick than Brindley. And neither should be in the convo.

None of it will matter if Benson doesn't improve his skating & strength. I've actually defended Benson’s skating on here, as he has improved it from last year.

But, people were arguing last year that Wright's skating was fine after he beat a defenseman wide at Prospects Game. Me @Goldenhands were, no its not fine. Then Wright played in the NHL. His skating is mediocre to average.

Benson is in same spot. His skating looks OK skating versus Juniors, but it is below NHL average. He won't be able to create or take advantage of open ice at NHL level without better skating. I don't care how high his IQ is.

Imo, yes, Benson has the higher offensive upside - towards someone like Keller - who is a much, much better skater, but Benson also has higher bust potential due to his size & skating.

Brindley I see more of a bigger Mats Zuccarello. A player who puts 60 points up in an average NYR offense, but is a ppg on a much better Minnesota offense. He's a buzzsaw at both ends & on both specialty teams. I don't think there's much bust potential in him at all.

 

[HuGort]

I mean Smith and Benson are really good but Michkov is at an other level. He’s closer to Bedard level then he his from Smith/Benson

I'll stay with Smith, Benson, even Barlow. Russian might be better but I know more what I am getting with Smith. Scouted him 10x as much.

Russians and Euros are more unpredictable. Large ice service or something. I've watched drafts before hear GMs interviewed afterwards said Russian they got was game changers. Then they never close to it. Podkolzin, Kakko, Zadina to name a few. Once it was our very own Jeff Gorton. Said he had Hughes and Kakko even. Then showed video of Kakko dangle through Team USA, behind their net and back through team again.

I would take a Russian. But at price of losing Smith

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

We're in 2023 who cares about Michkov's nationality, he's the second coming of Gretzky that's what is important here.

Don't be ridiculous. At best he is 5 years from coming over. And there is no guarantee. He might choose to stay, he might not be allowed to come over or Russians citizens might be booted out of North America. It's a very big risk in a deep draft. If it was the 2022 draft it's a different story.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I'll stay with Smith, Benson, even Barlow. Russian might be better but I know more what I am getting with Smith. Scouted him 10x as much.

Russians and Euros are more unpredictable. Large ice service or something. I've watched drafts before hear GMs interviewed afterwards said Russian they got was game changers. Then they never close to it. Podkolzin, Kakko, Zadina to name a few. Once it was our very own Jeff Gorton. Said he had Hughes and Kakko even. Then showed video of Kakko dangle through Team USA, behind their net and back through team again.

I would take a Russian. But at price of losing Smith

Kakko and Hughes are not a good comparison. Kakko os playing for a coach who does NOT develop prospects. Hughes was on a non contender and had leeway to develop

 

[MarkovsKnee]

David Reinbacher scored. Made a nice lateral off the blueline to get a better shooting angle then a nice wrist shot above glove.

 

[HabsForHire]

Really like him in the early 2nd round.

Since when does coast to coast count when he was at half ice lmao

 

[NotProkofievian]

Really like him in the early 2nd round.

Reminds me a bit of Bystedt last year.

 

[_vivelequebec_]

David Reinbacher scored. Made a nice lateral off the blueline to get a better shooting angle then a nice wrist shot above glove.

Really hope we select him with Florida’s pick.

 

[Hannibal]

If we pick 6-8th, i would be happy with Dvorsky.

 

[_vivelequebec_]

If we pick 6-8th, i would be happy with Dvorsky.

I believe there is a clear top 6 : Bedard (A+), Fantilli, Carlsson and Michkov (A) and Benson/Cristall (A-).

After that, you have around 10 players that are B+. I pray for 1) pick in the top 6 2) Florida misses playoffs. Just that and I’ll be extremely happy.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'll stay with Smith, Benson, even Barlow. Russian might be better but I know more what I am getting with Smith. Scouted him 10x as much.

Russians and Euros are more unpredictable. Large ice service or something. I've watched drafts before hear GMs interviewed afterwards said Russian they got was game changers. Then they never close to it. Podkolzin, Kakko, Zadina to name a few. Once it was our very own Jeff Gorton. Said he had Hughes and Kakko even. Then showed video of Kakko dangle through Team USA, behind their net and back through team again.

I would take a Russian. But at price of losing Smith

Holy logical fallacy my man. Jesus. Michkov has been on the radar since he was 12 years old, scouts know what hes capable of. Zadina played in NA in his draft year.

Don't be ridiculous. At best he is 5 years from coming over. And there is no guarantee. He might choose to stay, he might not be allowed to come over or Russians citizens might be booted out of North America. It's a very big risk in a deep draft. If it was the 2022 draft it's a different story.

5 YEARS ??? His contract ends in exactly three years ? Also never mind the fact that .he said multiple time he wanted to come play in the NHL.

"Firstly, I am here with my family, for me this is an important factor. Secondly, I don't know English, now I'm learning it. There is still time before America, I signed such a contract with SKA to prepare for the game in North America. So far, everything suits me in Russia, and SKA gives me everything I need for development."

Can you stop with the outright propaganda/lies ? It sucks.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I believe there is a clear top 6 : Bedard (A+), Fantilli, Carlsson and Michkov (A) and Benson/Cristall (A-).

After that, you have around 10 players that are B+. I pray for 1) pick in the top 6 2) Florida misses playoffs. Just that and I’ll be extremely happy.

It's the best non lotto win scenario