2023 NHL Entry Draft

[phillytennis]

Interesting...I would take Gauthier straight up over Bjarnarsson.

 

[Vachon23]

Interesting...I would take Gauthier straight up over Bjarnarsson.

Not me, the Bjarnarsson potential of being a #1 goalie with the hole we have in our Goalie depth are to appealing for me

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Gauthier hasn't had a spectacular draft season, but he's still #20 on the consolidated ranking. I don't see him slipping all the way out of the first round.

 

[Vachon23]

Gauthier hasn't had a spectacular draft season, but he's still #20 on the consolidated ranking. I don't see him slipping all the way out of the first round.

with the quality of the draft you never now..

For Gauthier production, don’t forget that he is on a contending team and that he doesn’t have the PP1 and top lines minutes to produce like other players in the draft. Next year, he’s gonna be in the top pts producer in the Q no doubt about that

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Not me, the Bjarnarsson potential of being a #1 goalie with the hole we have in our Goalie depth are to appealing for me

As a rule I hate taking goalies in the first round, especially this season where the goaltending class is weak. I went into enormous depth on this earlier this year so I won't bore everyone with my drivel again lol.

 

[Vachon23]

As a rule I hate taking goalies in the first round, especially this season where the goaltending class is weak. I went into enormous depth on this earlier this year so I won't bore everyone with my drivel again lol.

Good news then I’m talking in the 2nd round and Bjarnarsson is 100 % worth it for me. He got all the tools I’m looking for in a #1 goalie. Not sure he’s gonna be a top 5 goalie in the league but I definitely see a top 10

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

As a rule I hate taking goalies in the first round, especially this season where the goaltending class is weak. I went into enormous depth on this earlier this year so I won't bore everyone with my drivel again lol.

Most people agree with you. The last goalie picked in the top 10 of an NHL draft was Carey Price in 2005. That's pretty much the bar for the league. Unless you're pretty much a absolutely complete package with every tool known to a goalie, you're probably going to be relegated to the teens or 20s, and that's only if you're a fantastic prospect which happens rarely. Even then, the bet on taking a goalie that high 9 times out of 10 isn't worth it. 2nd Rd seems appropriate tho

 

[Mrb1p]

Etienne Morin > Gauthier

 

[The Great Weal]

I have no problems admitting I was 100% on the Kotkaniemi train at the draft. I was very much banking on a steady development curve though, I never expected him to be with the Habs on opening day that same october. I'll always maintain he was more of a development fail than a pure draft fail.

I think most of us were although I won't lie about how the lack of centers for decades may have created some bias. Development was bad and KK's unwillingness to fix his endurance in the offseason only made things worse. I still don't see why who posters here wanted matters. The actual people in charge shit to bed with drafting and development.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Yeah I could definitely see that. I just feel like he plays a fairly simple game which doesn't project all that well offensively. No breakaway speed, a good but not great shot, not a ton of deception. Certainly still a smart player, but not overly creative. I'd feel much more comfortable with taking him with Florida's pick than ours.

I'm not too worried about Benson's skating. It's not dissimilar to where Caufield was at same age. An acute understanding of balance, crossovers & edges. He can successfully make pretty tight turns while maintaining control of the puck. He's generally able to maintain the speed he's at while doing this too. A lot of players slow up while shifting, and then get caught from behind, or simply can't control the puck.

His lack of speed results from slightly poor mechanics in open ice to gain power, and general lack of leg strength. Both can be worked on.

He's improved his skating from last season, so I expect he'll continue to improve it, as Caufield did.

Cristall has far more to work on to become an NHLer. He's Uber talented, but defensively weak, and has the same skating issues as Benson. He doesn't have breakaway speed, but nails footwork, edges, etc.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Good news then I’m talking in the 2nd round and Bjarnarsson is 100 % worth it for me. He got all the tools I’m looking for in a #1 goalie. Not sure he’s gonna be a top 5 goalie in the league but I definitely see a top 10

I am not even crazy about taking them in the 2nd round but there is no way that you can definitively say that any goalie in this draft is even a career starter let alone a top ten goaltender. It is by a mile the hardest position to project as it is mostly mental and kids this young are nowhere near being mentally mature/developed enough to give an accurate reflection of what they are going to be when they are 25 and older which is typically how long it takes goalies to mature into NHL caliber players.

It has been proven beyond any doubt that drafting goalies is a crapshoot and more top goalies come from late 2nd round and later than they do from 1st and early 2nd round picks. Most scouts don't like scouting goalies and don't really know what to look for because it just can't be seen.

Two of the most hyped goalie prospects, Dustin Wolf and Devin Levi are both 7th round picks ffs. It is such a low percentage gamble taking goalies early when there are almost certainly better goalies available later. Every now and then they hit like with Price and Vasilevsky but they were truly great talents as was Luongo. There likely is nobody remotely close to that level in this year's draft but if it turns out that there was a true star goalie in this draft it will more likely come from later rounds as there is very little separating the entire pack at this point in time.

 

[Vachon23]

I am not even crazy about taking them in the 2nd round but there is no way that you can definitively say that any goalie in this draft is even a career starter let alone a top ten goaltender. It is by a mile the hardest position to project as it is mostly mental and kids this young are nowhere near being mentally mature/developed enough to give an accurate reflection of what they are going to be when they are 25 and older which is typically how long it takes goalies to mature into NHL caliber players.

It has been proven beyond any doubt that drafting goalies is a crapshoot and more top goalies come from late 2nd round and later than they do from 1st and early 2nd round picks. Most scouts don't like scouting goalies and don't really know what to look for because it just can't be seen.

Two of the most hyped goalie prospects, Dustin Wolf and Devin Levi are both 7th round picks ffs. It is such a low percentage gamble taking goalies early when there are almost certainly better goalies available later. Every now and then they hit like with Price and Vasilevsky but they were truly great talents as was Luongo. There likely is nobody remotely close to that level in this year's draft but if it turns out that there was a true star goalie in this draft it will more likely come from later rounds as there is very little separating the entire pack at this point in time.

Of course, like every prospect you never know how they will develop but I would draft Bjarnason because I think he have that potential. I prefer drafting a #1 goalie then an other top 9 forward by exemple.

You have many good goalie that where drafted in the top 2 rounds even if they are many other in other rounds. We've used that strategy for the past 5-10 years (since Fucale in 2013) and it didn't work. Time to draft one with a good pedigree

Etienne Morin > Gauthier

I like both but in the Hbas situation, I think we need more Gauthier then Morin in our prospect pool.

I'm not too worried about Benson's skating. It's not dissimilar to where Caufield was at same age. An acute understanding of balance, crossovers & edges. He can successfully make pretty tight turns while maintaining control of the puck. He's generally able to maintain the speed he's at while doing this too. A lot of players slow up while shifting, and then get caught from behind, or simply can't control the puck.

His lack of speed results from slightly poor mechanics in open ice to gain power, and general lack of leg strength. Both can be worked on.

He's improved his skating from last season, so I expect he'll continue to improve it, as Caufield did.

Cristall has far more to work on to become an NHLer. He's Uber talented, but defensively weak, and has the same skating issues as Benson. He doesn't have breakaway speed, but nails footwork, edges, etc.

Marchand is not the fastest skater and it goes pretty well for him, either is Marner (better skater then Marchand and Benson though) No concern on Benson on that side.

 

[Egresch]

Most scouts don't like scouting goalies and don't really know what to look for because it just can't be seen.

That is absolute true. Teams usually have one former goalie (scout or consultant) on goalies draft. Gajdosik from Rangers is top one, he drafted Lundqvist, Shestorkin and signed Georgiev over the years.

 

[Vachon23]

That is absolute true. Teams usually have one former goalie (scout or consultant) on goalies draft. Gajdosik from Rangers is top one, he drafted Lundqvist, Shestorkin and signed Georgiev over the years.

We have Vincent Riendeau who scout goalies but we should 100 % have a goalie department

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Of course, like every prospect you never know how they will develop but I would draft Bjarnason because I think he have that potential. I prefer drafting a #1 goalie then an other top 9 forward by exemple.

You have many good goalie that where drafted in the top 2 rounds even if they are many other in other rounds. We've used that strategy for the past 5-10 years (since Fucale in 2013) and it didn't work. Time to draft one with a good pedigree

It is way too early to determine whether drafting goalies later has worked for us. Primeau is only 23 and Dobes is 21 and Dichow is 22, they are all on track to compete for NHL jobs in the next few years which is typical for goaltenders. The consensus is that all three are already better than many of the goaltenders taken ahead of them. Not a single goaltender has established himself from Dobes' draft and only Spencer Knight from Dichow's draft has somewhat established himself but even he is very shaky. Only Oettinger and Skinner have established themselves from Primeau's draft and Skinner barely has done so and could just as easily regress as his sample size is too small. Luukkonen has got some games in this year but has been very inconsistent. It typically takes 7 or 8 years to even begin to get a good read on a goalie crop.....which begs the question why waste draft capital on a player who will very likely only be decent right at the moment that they close in on UFA status? Why not use draft capital on positions that have more accurate prediction success who can actually be useful on their cheap ELC's. Why not just pay for a UFA instead of developing one for 8 years only to have to pay him UFA money at the moment that he becomes good?

This year's draft is a poor one for goaltenders, as there is not a single one that is expected to go in the 1st round and more likely into the latter half of the second or even early 3rd round.

I think we have had great results drafting late with goalies and should continue doing the same.

 

[Mrb1p]

Of course, like every prospect you never know how they will develop but I would draft Bjarnason because I think he have that potential. I prefer drafting a #1 goalie then an other top 9 forward by exemple.

You have many good goalie that where drafted in the top 2 rounds even if they are many other in other rounds. We've used that strategy for the past 5-10 years (since Fucale in 2013) and it didn't work. Time to draft one with a good pedigree


I like both but in the Hbas situation, I think we need more Gauthier then Morin in our prospect pool.


Marchand is not the fastest skater and it goes pretty well for him, either is Marner (better skater then Marchand and Benson though) No concern on Benson on that side.

Top 9 forwards are generally worth equal or more than starting goaltenders. Look at what the starting goaltenders went for the last few years. Its generally in the ballpark of a 2nd round pick. Georgiev, Fleury, Andersen (30th), Husso (3rd), Campbell (3rd), Bobrovsky, Korpisalo (1st Nd 3rd but with Gavrikov), Vanecek for a 3rd and a few draft spots in the 2nd, Grubauer for a 2nd and Kuemper for Wedgewood.

Most third line center go for a first.

It is smarter to spend your top 60 picks on players rather than goaltenders, not only due to the volatility of the position but also due to the fact goaltenders just arent worth that much, man.

 

[Vachon23]

Top 9 forwards are generally worth equal or more than starting goaltenders. Look at what the starting goaltenders went for the last few years. Its generally in the ballpark of a 2nd round pick. Georgiev, Fleury, Andersen (30th), Husso (3rd), Campbell (3rd), Bobrovsky, Korpisalo (1st Nd 3rd but with Gavrikov), Vanecek for a 3rd and a few draft spots in the 2nd, Grubauer for a 2nd and Kuemper for Wedgewood.

Most third line center go for a first.

It is smarter to spend your top 60 picks on players rather than goaltenders, not only due to the volatility of the position but also due to the fact goaltenders just arent worth that much, man.

Kuemper was traded for a 1st and I would't want to compete with any of those goalies in net

It is way too early to determine whether drafting goalies later has worked for us. Primeau is only 23 and Dobes is 21 and Dichow is 22, they are all on track to compete for NHL jobs in the next few years which is typical for goaltenders. The consensus is that all three are already better than many of the goaltenders taken ahead of them. Not a single goaltender has established himself from Dobes' draft and only Spencer Knight from Dichow's draft has somewhat established himself but even he is very shaky. Only Oettinger and Skinner have established themselves from Primeau's draft and Skinner barely has done so and could just as easily regress as his sample size is too small. Luukkonen has got some games in this year but has been very inconsistent. It typically takes 7 or 8 years to even begin to get a good read on a goalie crop.....which begs the question why waste draft capital on a player who will very likely only be decent right at the moment that they close in on UFA status? Why not use draft capital on positions that have more accurate prediction success who can actually be useful on their cheap ELC's. Why not just pay for a UFA instead of developing one for 8 years only to have to pay him UFA money at the moment that he becomes good?

This year's draft is a poor one for goaltenders, as there is not a single one that is expected to go in the 1st round and more likely into the latter half of the second or even early 3rd round.

I think we have had great results drafting late with goalies and should continue doing the same.

If that goalie is only good when he will be 27-28 (What I don't agree, I think Bjarnarson will be ready close to 24-25) then we won't need to pay that much for him.

I don't agree either that it's not a good year for goalies, Bjarnarson is a solid one and they are other good ones like Hrabal\Fowler\Gajan

 

[zaluty]

If Florida makes the playoffs I woukd look at Lardis. Not saying I would draft him depending on where Florida finishes but he should be in the discussion

 

[Mrb1p]

Kuemper was traded for a 1st and I would't want to compete with any of those goalies in net


If that goalie is only good when he will be 27-28 (What I don't agree, I think Bjarnarson will be ready close to 24-25) then we won't need to pay that much for him.

I don't agree either that it's not a good year for goalies, Bjarnarson is a solid one and they are other good ones like Hrabal\Fowler\Gajan

Kuemper was traded for a first but they retained 30% or something, that plays a lot in the value.

Also, theres very little goaltenders that you would want to compete with. Like 5? 6 if you believe in Hellebuyck? Conversely they all (but Gibson) play on good teams. And only one of them was picked in the first round.

Also, I dont understand how anyone can be so sure of Bjarnasons development, he is still neck and neck with a bunch of goaltenders from this draft, overdrafting him sounds like another Mccarron move.

If Florida makes the playoffs I woukd look at Lardis. Not saying I would draft him depending on where Florida finishes but he should be in the discussion

He 100% should be. Hes gonna crack my top 20 by the end of the year.

 

[Vachon23]

Kuemper was traded for a first but they retained 30% or something, that plays a lot in the value.

Like most 3rd line C that got traded for a 1st

Also, theres very little goaltenders that you would want to compete with. Like 5? 6 if you believe in Hellebuyck? Conversely they all (but Gibson) play on good teams. And only one of them was picked in the first round.

Yes Hellebuyck is on that list. Ottenger will quickly enter that list if he’s not already on that list too so not only Vasi was pick in the 1st. I also believe Askarov Knight Wallstad will enter this list eventually that are all 1st rounder.

Also, I dont understand how anyone can be so sure of Bjarnasons development, he is still neck and neck with a bunch of goaltenders from this draft, overdrafting him sounds like another Mccarron move.

Of course I’m not sure of Bjarnsom development like any other prospect we will draft at that place. If I was sure he would become a top 10, I would want him with the FLA 1st not in the 2nd round.

 

[JT3]

I'm okay with drafting a goalie but it wouldn't be with our own 2nd imo. Better value there elsewhere given goalies are such a crapshoot. I'm fine with using a pick on someone like Fowler, Clara, Gajan in the 3rd or 4th though.

 

[McGees]

 

[malton]

I would try to sign Perets. I don't think the goalie crop is anything to write home about and I would probably take a shot with Dichow/Dobes/Perets over any of the available goalies. I'm hoping for Brzustewicz in the second if nobody of significance drops.

 

[bcv]

I would try to sign Perets. I don't think the goalie crop is anything to write home about and I would probably take a shot with Dichow/Dobes/Perets over any of the available goalies. I'm hoping for Brzustewicz in the second if nobody of significance drops.

Perets is definitely not anything to write home about.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'm okay with drafting a goalie but it wouldn't be with our own 2nd imo. Better value there elsewhere given goalies are such a crapshoot. I'm fine with using a pick on someone like Fowler, Clara, Gajan in the 3rd or 4th though.

Or even two, or three.

After pick 75ish, its open season on goalies this year IMO. So many great upside goaltenders and very little upside for skater past that point.