2023 NHL Entry Draft

[NotProkofievian]

Wont work against NHLers some of those slovaks already play against men, he'll need a lot of work with Lefebvre to work on his character, have him 8th on my list.

 

[SOLR]

Wont work against NHLers some of those slovaks already play against men, he'll need a lot of work with Lefebvre to work on his character, have him 8th on my list.

LOL

 

[1000eeer]

Without the Russian factor, Michkov sure is. Fantilli Im looking to catch some of his games in the NCAA next season. All factors considered, Bedard looks like the clear cut leader right now, but there is an entire season to be played.

Michkov is indeed the only player who could challenge Bedard IMO. Him and Bedard are in a class of their own.

As I see it right now, Michkov is at least as good as Bedard. But as you point it @Goldenhands, the Russian factor will definitely play a role. Then there's the injury factor and the positional factor...

All things considered, Michkov would need to destroy the KHLas a 17 years old to get ahead of Bedard

 

[Hannibal]

Bedard is something else.

Amazing draft!

 

[Mrb1p]

I know Bedard is a generational shooter, but playing with shooters such as McTabish and Roy makes me wonder about his vision a little bit. Hes frustrating like Mackinnon, but instead of passing too much, he shoots too much.

 

[BeliveauFan4ever]

What do you guys think of Barlow in a Habs jersey? He’s skilled, solid and sturdy.

Long way to draft day, but can you envision him going as high as 7th or 8th OA?

 

[Team_Spirit]

 

[WeThreeKings]

I know Bedard is a generational shooter, but playing with shooters such as McTabish and Roy makes me wonder about his vision a little bit. Hes frustrating like Mackinnon, but instead of passing too much, he shoots too much.

I don't have concerns long term.. I think it's the typical early season draft year expectations and he wants to just fill the net with pucks in favor of the better play.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I know Bedard is a generational shooter, but playing with shooters such as McTabish and Roy makes me wonder about his vision a little bit. Hes frustrating like Mackinnon, but instead of passing too much, he shoots too much.

Nothing particularly wrong with that. Even if he becomes just an above average playmaker, there have been tons of superstar centre that are more of scorers than playmakers. This comparison is definitely not perfect as I think Matthews has better puck possession ability but he's definitely seen more as a scorer

 

[Goldenhands]

Wont work against NHLers some of those slovaks already play against men, he'll need a lot of work with Lefebvre to work on his character, have him 8th on my list.

I dont know anyone who doesnt have Bedard ranked 1st OV at that point. The only real question regarding Bedard is the position he will play at the NHL level. Otherwise his skills, especially his shooting skills are already elite level. You wont hear anyone doubting that or his effort/compete level. Bedard is leading the pack on a strong draft year and will likely end up being drafted 1st OV, but everything isnt set in stone like we saw with the last one, there is still a draft year to be played, thats what makes things interesting, otherwise no need to play that season and just hold the draft "w"right now.

 

[Big Empty]

I dont know anyone who doesnt have Bedard ranked 1st OV at that point. The only real question regarding Bedard is the position he will play at the NHL level. Otherwise his skills, especially his shooting skills are already elite level. You wont hear anyone doubting that or his effort/compete level. Bedard is leading the pack on a strong draft year and will likely end up being drafted 1st OV, but everything isnt set in stone like we saw with the last one, there is still a draft year to be played, thats what makes things interesting, otherwise no need to play that season and just hold the draft "w"right now.

Bedard’s playing centre in the NHL and he’s going 1st overall. No need to wonder.

 

[Goldenhands]

Bedard’s playing centre in the NHL and he’s going 1st overall. No need to wonder.

He is playing the wing at the WJC and its not like TC was strong down the middle. Mactavish played the last season mostly on the wing and he is the one centering the top line. Some people have watched Bedard last season and apparently his game away from the puck needs work. So Im not saying he wont be a center, just that its premature at this point. The center position requires alot of responsabilities and is tougher to handle than the winger position, so maybe Bedard's skills are more suited for the wing, we wll see.

 

[BJCOLLINS]

I know Bedard is a generational shooter, but playing with shooters such as McTabish and Roy makes me wonder about his vision a little bit. Hes frustrating like Mackinnon, but instead of passing too much, he shoots too much.

Blasphemy, lol, No such thing as a 1st line generational talent that shots too much. Especially this one.
Also Roy isn’t showing the energy & creativity to play with Bedard.....it’s a small sample size but you can see it. McTavish definitely has chemistry with CB23.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Blasphemy, lol, No such thing as a 1st line generational talent that shots too much. Especially this one.
Also Roy isn’t showing the energy & creativity to play with Bedard.....it’s a small sample size but you can see it. McTavish definitely has chemistry with CB23.

McTavish and Bedard are specifically only looking for each other. That's pretty obvious.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

He is playing the wing at the WJC and its not like TC was strong down the middle. Mactavish played the last season mostly on the wing and he is the one centering the top line. Some people have watched Bedard last season and apparently his game away from the puck needs work. So Im not saying he wont be a center, just that its premature at this point. The center position requires alot of responsabilities and is tougher to handle than the winger position, so maybe Bedard's skills are more suited for the wing, we wll see.

I think his game would be better suited for the wing myself. It also frees him up and takes away any worry about having to battle down low in his own zone primarily. And there's nothing wrong with that. The top 15 scorers this year were mostly wingers by a clear majority. Even last WJC, they had him playing on Shane Wright's wing instead of centering his own line

 

[SOLR]

I think his game would be better suited for the wing myself. It also frees him up and takes away any worry about having to battle down low in his own zone primarily. And there's nothing wrong with that. The top 15 scorers this year were mostly wingers by a clear majority. Even last WJC, they had him playing on Shane Wright's wing instead of centering his own line

Like Crosby - that doesn't say anything about where he should play in the NHL, considering his significant play-making abilities, that's just hockey Canada protecting their kids.

McTavish and Bedard are specifically only looking for each other. That's pretty obvious.

And as soon as the faceoff drops they are both acting like centers/playmakers.

 

[Goldenhands]

I think his game would be better suited for the wing myself. It also frees him up and takes away any worry about having to battle down low in his own zone primarily. And there's nothing wrong with that. The top 15 scorers this year were mostly wingers by a clear majority. Even last WJC, they had him playing on Shane Wright's wing instead of centering his own line

Exactly, playing the wing would allow him to fully display his talent without worrying about the rest. But its possible he rounds up his game as a center and becomes one, time will tell.

 

[SOLR]

Exactly, playing the wing would allow him to fully display his talent without worrying about the rest. But its possible he rounds up his game as a center and becomes one, time will tell.

He's a center, that narrative is a bit bunker. Connor turned 17 last month (he's a young 2023), he's playing with a bunch of 19 years old, and he is one of the best players of the tournament. Crosby played with Bergeron at the same age, on the wing. At Christmas, Bedard will play center...still young in his D season.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

He's a center, that narrative is a bit bunker. Connor turned 17 last month (he's a young 2023), he's playing with a bunch of 19 years old, and he is one of the best players of the tournament. Crosby played with Bergeron at the same age, on the wing. At Christmas, Bedard will play center...still young in his D season.

Yeah I see your point. I remember people had questions whether Malkin would be a winger or center in the NHL. It was so up in the air that their GM specifically said when drafting him, "centerman, Evgeni Malkin". It's all about development. He can develop at either position well. Some people like Goldenhands believe his skill set would be a bit better on the wing. Doesn't mean he'd be bad at center. It's not binary. Who says Malkin wouldn't have had a better career if he played wing. We'll never know. Bedard is gonna be a superstar. An actual superstar not the watered down term most people use. But his game is not like a players who's pretty much only a centre and would look noticeably worse on the wing. Or even the reverse situation. He's super dynamic and his game can fit both positions which is why he's been used in both positions lol. But he'll most probably be a center going forward which is absolutely fine and may turn out better than if he becomes a winger.

 

[waitin425]

I'm sensing some people aren't fully appreciating Bedard. The kid turned 17 a month ago. He is still a kid. He has an inch or two still to grow and probably 10-15 pounds of muscle to come. By the time he is 19....the same age McTavish is in this tournament, Bedard will be absolutely lights out. McTavish looks like the best player in this tournament. Bedard isn't too far off. Give Bedard two more years to become a man. My God!

 

[Goldenhands]

I'm sensing some people aren't fully appreciating Bedard. The kid turned 17 a month ago. He is still a kid. He has an inch or two still to grow and probably 10-15 pounds of muscle to come. By the time he is 19....the same age McTavish is in this tournament, Bedard will be absolutely lights out. McTavish looks like the best player in this tournament. Bedard isn't too far off. Give Bedard two more years to become a man. My God!

You are sensing it wrong, we all love Bedard and can all see the the elite level potential.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

You are sensing it wrong, we all love Bedard and can all see the the elite level potential.

A lot of people think that saying Bedard would be very dominant on the wing (in only a complimentary manner) is actually slighting him. People are bringing up Crosby and his experience before being drafted. Bedard is not Crosby body wise. Even before he was drafted, Crosby's lower body was massive. He was an absolute unit. Bedard is not. So by recognizing that and saying maybe he'd be more free to exert his game in a less intensive role, it's somehow diminishing his ability? I think not

 

[Habnot]

Talk about over-hype. How can anyone make any judgements watching the crap we have been subjected to. I see an elite shooter with lack of size. I get it he's 17 but as we saw with Wright - superlatives are never given - they are earned. I wouldn't be surprised if the gap closes because once it's your draft year and you are the number 1 prospects, scouts become much more focussed on your complete game.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Talk about over-hype. How can anyone make any judgements watching the crap we have been subjected to. I see an elite shooter with lack of size. I get it he's 17 but as we saw with Wright - superlatives are never given - they are earned. I wouldn't be surprised if the gap closes because once it's your draft year and you are the number 1 prospects, scouts become much more focussed on your complete game.

I think he’ll be another Gaudreau/Kane myself. Sick hands too.

 

[SOLR]

A lot of people think that saying Bedard would be very dominant on the wing (in only a complimentary manner) is actually slighting him. People are bringing up Crosby and his experience before being drafted. Bedard is not Crosby body wise. Even before he was drafted, Crosby's lower body was massive. He was an absolute unit. Bedard is not. So by recognizing that and saying maybe he'd be more free to exert his game in a less intensive role, it's somehow diminishing his ability? I think not

Did you see Bedard's built? Similar to Crosby.

I think he’ll be another Gaudreau/Kane myself. Sick hands too.

Mix of Crosby is Lafleur is what I'm thinking + some Matthews in the mix.