2023 NHL Entry Draft

[Jaynki]

Keep in mind that Kopitar only produced in the J20 his draft year and didn’t so much when brought up a level. Dominated junior tournaments, like Dvorsky at the U18. Profiled similar, as a bigger two-way centre.

Not saying they have similar trajectories, but there are things to like in Dvorsky’s game (two-way, centre, size, shot) that are enough to take him Top 10 with the hope that he finds another level next year.

I’ve also said it before, but he fits well with our two other Slovaks.

You don't have to sell me Dvorsky my friend. I like him and recognize the talent.

I simply wanted to point the paradox with Slaf as he was highly criticised for his liiga stats despite doing some 1% shits for any 17 years old in history.

I would be very happy with Dvorsky as our picks and i don't think, like Slaf, that his Allsvenskan (lack of) production means much in the grand scheme of things. I don't have him top 7 tho.

 

[Mrb1p]

Outside of the top 4, I've got something like Reinbacher/Benson and then Smith. I see real value in taking Reinbacher there given the amount of talented forwards that will be available at the Florida pick. Reinbacher + one of Honzek/Danielsson/Moore/Leonard/Barlow/Wood/Cristall/Sale? Sign me up. So many forward options in that range, with comparatively little D-men.

Its not even that Reinbacher is a D and that Ds are rare in this draft, he's legit a good option no matter what.

Add in the fact that there's a lot of similar forward talent and its almost a slam dunk.

Pronman/Athletic has Leonard's comparable as... Lehkonen
I just don't see it.

View attachment 664735

I see it. They both play a similar power game offensively, theyre both shoot first, theyre both savvy players. Lekhonen is actually a very good comparison, skills wise and all.

TBH he's not much different a skater than Cooley was last year, who everyone was drooling about.

Just lacks a little power which will develop in time.

I wouldn't say that, Cooley is a very fluid skater and much faster than Benson.

You don't have to sell me Dvorsky my friend. I like him and recognize the talent.

I simply wanted to point the paradox with Slaf as he was highly criticised for his liiga stats despite doing some 1% shits for any 17 years old in history.

I would be very happy with Dvorsky as our picks and i don't think, like Slaf, that his Allsvenskan (lack of) production means much in the grand scheme of things. I don't have him top 7 tho.

You have Dvorsky outside your top 7, that should tell you everything you need to know about Slaf.

 

[AHShadow]

Dvorsky has insane value if he pans out though. He's not a player that needs anyone, he will be good regardless. He opens up a lot of space with his size, heaviness and the constant threat he poses in the middle of the ice and with his shot on the outside. He's also nowhere near as "low ceiling" as some have been saying.

He could be real money with Dach or Slaf, and he could also be a very good 3rd wheel to Caufield + someone else. I also like that despite his strength as a center, there's a quality in his wing game that makes it nice to see he has the versatility.

I see a lot of Pavelski in him, and honestly thats a money player.

Yeah I don't doubt that Dvorsky would be a valuable player to have in the organization, but even the way you describe him, he doesn't seem to be "THE GUY" on any line and I feel we're missing that type of player currently.

Although Dvorsky's floor seems to be higher than most, I'd prob risk a Smith or Cristall as they project to be THE GUY if they pan out.

I'm not sure why HuGo wouldn't want Benson though. He seems to be every coaches dream player to have. Dynamic, skilled and plays the "right way."

Its not even that Reinbacher is a D and that Ds are rare in this draft, he's legit a good option no matter what.

Also because you're so high on Reinbacher, would you put him in the same tier as Nemec/Jiricek or would he be lower?

 

[Mrb1p]

Yeah I don't doubt that Dvorsky would be a valuable player to have in the organization, but even the way you describe him, he doesn't seem to be "THE GUY" on any line and I feel we're missing that type of player currently.

Although Dvorsky's floor seems to be higher than most, I'd prob risk a Smith or Cristall as they project to be THE GUY if they pan out.

I'm not sure why HuGo wouldn't want Benson though. He seems to be every coaches dream player to have. Dynamic, skilled and plays the "right way."


Also because you're so high on Reinbacher, would you put him in the same tier as Nemec/Jiricek or would he be lower?

You can see in the prior pages that I rank Dvorsky behind those guys too, I just think hes a very valuable player to have.

Im also not sure we need a "the guy". Dach, Suzuki, Slaf and Caufield are all "the guy".

We do miss an elite offensive talent like Mackinnon but Benson, Sale and Cristall are the only one with this upside outside the 4.

 

[McGees]

I see it. They both play a similar power game offensively, theyre both shoot first, theyre both savvy players. Lekhonen is actually a very good comparison, skills wise and all.

Hmm - I see Lehky as quicker and smarter high IQ energy type, Leonard more north south power game, good shot - but not the smartest with puck. .

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Pronman/Athletic has Leonard's comparable as... Lehkonen
I just don't see it.

View attachment 664735

Lehkonen is understandable. Leonard has a really high compete level. My comparison is Hyman. He's a bulldog, with really strong lower body strength already. He gets inside, he's relentless in pursuit of the puck, has breakaway speed & scores in a variety of ways. He'll be a player for sure.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

View attachment 664717

It's still far too early. His top 10 at this time last year included Kemell, Geekie, Yurov, Lambert (11th). Gauthier & Korchinski were mid-1sts and went 5th & 7th, respectively.

None of Kemell, Geekie, Yurov or Lambert were in top 10, although Geekie was close at #11.

Playoffs will play a big factor. Who steps up and who doesn't.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Hmm - I see Lehky as quicker and smarter high IQ energy type, Leonard more north south power game, good shot - but not the smartest with puck. .

That's why my comparison is Hyman. He's more of a small power forward, but he brings Lehkonen's compete level. Someone who doesn't watch Lehkonen a lot made that comparison.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

I think there's a good chance we get a high-upside faller with the Florida pick as we did with Caufield/Newhook in 2019.

If we're picking 7-10 we can play it relaitvely safe with one of Dvorsky, Leonard, Moore, Barlow, Reinbacher, then grab one of Sale, Cristall or Yager later.

I like that list. From what I saw at the WJC, Dvorsky is solid- not flashy but solid. The only name I would not draft is Sale. He didn’t impress me at all at WJC. Hopefully they don’t just draft size

 

[Mrb1p]

Yeah I don't doubt that Dvorsky would be a valuable player to have in the organization, but even the way you describe him, he doesn't seem to be "THE GUY" on any line and I feel we're missing that type of player currently.

Although Dvorsky's floor seems to be higher than most, I'd prob risk a Smith or Cristall as they project to be THE GUY if they pan out.

I'm not sure why HuGo wouldn't want Benson though. He seems to be every coaches dream player to have. Dynamic, skilled and plays the "right way."


Also because you're so high on Reinbacher, would you put him in the same tier as Nemec/Jiricek or would he be lower?

Eh, Ive been asking myself this for months now. I think so yeah.

I did bring this up a few weeks ago, Reinbacher is almost a perfect blend of both Jiricek and Nemec. Nemec has the incredible offensive vision and smarts, Jiricek has the booming shot and rugged play. Reinbacher ties it all up in a perfect package. Love the kid and he's definitely in the tier with these two. I still think I would pick the other two ahead of Reinbacher, but that is with the benefit of a whole D+1 year on both. On draft day ? I don't know. I had Nemec 1A and Jiricek 2A, I think Id have Reinbacher 4th in 2022.

It's still far too early. His top 10 at this time last year included Kemell, Geekie, Yurov, Lambert (11th). Gauthier & Korchinski were mid-1sts and went 5th & 7th, respectively.

None of Kemell, Geekie, Yurov or Lambert were in top 10, although Geekie was close at #11.

Playoffs will play a big factor. Who steps up and who doesn't.

Its not really about the draft day result but his own list, Kemell and Yurov both finished inside his top 10 on his latest ranking. For what its worth, the actual draft order means nothing when discussing quality of scouting or even prospect.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Pronman top 5 mid season ranking 2022;
1.Wright
Miroshnichenko
Cooley
Jiricek
5.Slaf

Curious why no Ethan Gauthier in his top 30.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Pronman just released his updated 2023 rankings. Definitely going for the clicks/discussions on Twitter.

@KevSkillz4 maybe you'll like this since he's ranking Nate Danielson so high.

2023 NHL Draft ranking: Connor Bedard is still No. 1, but who has moved up?

Connor Bedard tops Corey Pronman's March ranking of the top prospects at the 2023 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

Rankings:
1. Connor Bedard
2. Matvei Michkov
3. Adam Fantilli
4. Leo Carlsson
5. Nate Danielson
6. William Smith
7. David Reinbacher
8. Danil But
9. Colby Barlow
10. Samuel Honzek
11. Dalibor Dvorsky
12. Brayden Yager
13. Zach Benson
14. Oliver Moore
15. Ryan Leonard
16. Eduard Sale
17. Dmitriy Simashev
18. Axel Sandin Pellikka
19. Matthew Wood
20. Tanner Molendyk
21. Gabriel Perreault
22. Quentin Musty
23. Calum Ritchie
24. Oliver Bonk
25. Mikhail Gulyayev
26. Charlie Stramel
27. Lukas Dragicevic
28. Bradly Nadeau
29. Maxim Strbak
30. Gavin McCarthy

Haha, yeah that's make me more confortable with my pick. I really like the style of Danielson and I think he is going to be a really good NHL player!

 

[phillytennis]

Who said Benson was above average ? He's literally all over the ice, thats a bit tame. Also I don't like how he's pictured as a bad skater because he's not Byron. Same is said of Caufield, but its just not true. My money is on Benson actually being faster than a lot of "average speed" 6'+ players even in the NHL.

I think picking Benson...between 5--8...would be an astounding pick...reminds me of Matthew Barzal...elite skater, great edge work and wonderful offensive instincts.

 

[Garnet76]

I want them to swing for the fences with the top picks. I want a player who will pull fans out of their seats. Someone who worth the price of admission. The Canadiens have great prospect depth now its time for some home run swings.

 

[Lockin17]

I want them to swing for the fences with the top picks. I want a player who will pull fans out of their seats. Someone who worth the price of admission. The Canadiens have great prospect depth now its time for some home run swings.

yeah well we all want that... just have to be the right pick, or get a top 4

 

[Goldenhands]

I think picking Benson...between 5--8...would be an astounding pick...reminds me of Matthew Barzal...elite skater, great edge work and wonderful offensive instincts.

Benson skating is similar to Mikhail Granlund, its going to be good enough for the NHL, but thats certainly not elite.

 

[TomKosto]

Benson skating is similar to Mikhail Granlund, its going to be good enough for the NHL, but thats certainly not elite.

There's always room to improve skating, to a certain level. His compete lvl and skills cannot be teach, I would love to have him at 5-6-7. Take someone with size with the Florida pick.

 

[Goldenhands]

There's always room to improve skating, to a certain level. His compete lvl and skills cannot be teach, I would love to have him at 5-6-7. Take someone with size with the Florida pick.

Of course, but the size and mechanics looks pretty similar to Granlund.

 

[Simarino]

Would you guys consider Benson a better prospect than Cooley was last year or it’s pretty much a coin toss?

 

[Doublechin]

Would you guys consider Benson a better prospect than Cooley was last year or it’s pretty much a coin toss?

I think his upside is, yes for me. I see a lot of Marchand in Benson

 

[HuGort]

He has to, but he's signed with SKA, it's one of the KHL clubs that are part of the Russian army and players who do 2 years there are considered to have done their military duty (it has some light duties in the summer too). The players aren't going to be sent to the front unless the people in charge wants to punish them for something...

If war goes bad for Russia, Would Putin send him to Siberia just to despise the West?

 

[Zilo44]

If war goes bad for Russia, Would Putin send him to Siberia just to despise the West?

Putin has bigger problems to deal with than Michkov

 

[Egresch]

Putin has bigger problems to deal with than Michkov

The only question in Russia is: "How much?". Corruption is crazy and you can solve any problem. Michkov can play in NA next season, if his future team really wants it.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

The only question in Russia is: "How much?". Corruption is crazy and you can solve any problem. Michkov can play in NA next season, if his future team really wants it.

Absolutely....there is quite possibly a dollar figure that gets him to NA. That is one reason that he was signed to the deal, whether it is a reasonable number is another story. The other question would have to be which GM is crazy enough to send millions to a Russian team with ties to Vladimir Putin. Until the invasion is over it is very difficult to imagine an NHL team wanting to tarnish their image with such dealings. Would an American team send money to a Russian team that is being run by a man that their own country has sanctions against?

I find the whole thing repulsive as Rotenberg clearly flexed on a 16 year old kid and intimidated him into signing away 3 years of his dream. Roman Rotenberg may be the most powerful man in Russian hockey as he is the GM of SKA, is the V.P. of the Russian Hockey Federation and is the head of the management group that runs all Russian national teams. He is also part of Putin's inner circle and was sanctioned for his part in the annexation of Crimea.

Knowing enough about Rotenberg and his connection to Michkov/Putin might be enough to scare NHL teams away as it is not just that the kid is in Russia during the invasion of Ukraine it is who is pulling the strings above him.

 

[le_sean]

The only question in Russia is: "How much?". Corruption is crazy and you can solve any problem. Michkov can play in NA next season, if his future team really wants it.

You really want to be the NHL owner that sends millions to an oligarch just to have a hockey player earlier than expected? How do you think that plays out in world media the day they found out?