2023 NHL Entry Draft

[Pompeius Magnus]

View attachment 679654Hummmm… i fell off my chair

I will do a middle age white man back flip and break everybone in my body if this happens

 

[SOLR]

I think Barlow would look nice with Nick and Cole, I take him at 14, lethal shot and good size. Not a play driver, but a really nice piece to add, I think.

He's the perfect guy for Nick and Cole, and next year

 

[PavelBrendl]

View attachment 679654Hummmm… i fell off my chair

I, for one, welcome the second coming of the 1970s.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Dvorsky just plays a pro game. Sometimes ceiling gets knocked just because a guy is well rounded, while the rawer talent gets bumped up for “upside” when the growth potential is in all the little thing they don’t do.

Dvorsky certainly has upside. His shot could be the best in the draft outside the top 4, he’s got good size already, enough where he can play physically against men at 17. The skating has improved to the point where I’d say it’s above average for his size, and the IQ and skills are there to rack up points.

For Smith to surpass Dvorsky for me, I need to see upside that is a cut above. Right now I’d say the ceiling is pretty close so Dvorsky gets the edge due to everything else. If Smith can grow or find another gear or develop his shot into an elite weapon I’ll put him above, but for now he’s pretty average across the board outside of his hands and playmaking.

I disagree for now.

We will see if he's Poehling or Tkachuk.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Oh no not the media!!!! Not the same media who crucified the Habs for drafting Mailloux and is now looking like a hell of a steal at 31?


Are you seriously.... I mean SERIOUSLY comparing Michkov's skill to one Jesperi Kotkaniemi???

This board.

Please tell me that was a joke

Well he was compared to Drouin and Joffman earlier so par

 

[PavelBrendl]

I disagree for now.

We will see if he's Poehling or Tkachuk.

I can't say he'll be a Tkachuk but I'm willing to bet that Dvorsky will score more points in his rookie season than Poehling has scored in his career so far.

(Given whoever picks him doesn't rush him into the NHL next season)

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

Bedard had a pretty good night yesterday; he scored an awesome second goal where he deked out two defenders. With that being said, I thought the Blades looked atrocious, especially their goaltender who let in a couple of softies.

 

[ginomini]

It isn’t just for goalie, NCAA and Euro just have more flexibility for development vs. CHL.

Yes totally, I just think its even more apparent for goalies because they take longer to develop and you only have 2 spots in the AHL. Imgaine Vrbetic was a very good prospect, we would need to split time between him and primeau this year and it would be none ideal for both.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I can't say he'll be a Tkachuk but I'm willing to bet that Dvorsky will score more points in his rookie season than Poehling has scored in his career so far.

(Given whoever picks him doesn't rush him into the NHL next season)

I wasn't making a reference to similarity in their games. Just that DGS and I have had some battles on players in the past. He was right on Tkachuk, I was right on Poehling.

Now I am nowhere near as low on Dvorsky as I was on Poehling, I'll be clear.

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

If somehow they got 4th and 6th, that would allow them to comfortably take Michkov and then whoever else they covet

 

[SOLR]

To put into perspective how good Michkov is.

View attachment 679597

And not fully healthy.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Dvorsky just plays a pro game. Sometimes ceiling gets knocked just because a guy is well rounded, while the rawer talent gets bumped up for “upside” when the growth potential is in all the little thing they don’t do.

Dvorsky certainly has upside. His shot could be the best in the draft outside the top 4, he’s got good size already, enough where he can play physically against men at 17. The skating has improved to the point where I’d say it’s above average for his size, and the IQ and skills are there to rack up points.

For Smith to surpass Dvorsky for me, I need to see upside that is a cut above. Right now I’d say the ceiling is pretty close so Dvorsky gets the edge due to everything else. If Smith can grow or find another gear or develop his shot into an elite weapon I’ll put him above, but for now he’s pretty average across the board outside of his hands and playmaking.

Almost every year a top 10 player's offensive upside gets underrated on this board because he's been playing vs men or because of his role in the WJC. I mean geezaz...many here were bashing Fantilli during the WJC.

Dvorsky was matched up against top lines at the WJC and helped take Slovakia farther than expected. They beat Team USA in the round robin and took Team Canada to OT in the QF game with him playing a shutdown role. He ate Team Canada's top centers for breakfast in the face-off dot in the QF.

Dvorsky has been great offensively versus his own age group. I hope he gets a chance to play in the WU18. I think he'll light it up.

 

[MtlSars]

Reinbacher is 13th OV on Tankathon. The belief on here seems to be he won't drop that low for us to pick him with the Panthers 1st but wouldn't that be something.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Almost every year a top 10 player's offensive upside gets underrated on this board because he's been playing vs men or because of his role in the WJC. I mean geezaz...many here were bashing Fantilli during the WJC.

Dvorsky was matched up against top lines at the WJC and helped take Slovakia farther than expected. They beat Team USA in the round robin and took Team Canada to OT in the QF game with him playing a shutdown role. He ate Team Canada's top centers for breakfast in the face-off dot in the QF.

Dvorsky has been great offensively versus his own age group. I hope he gets a chance to play in the WU18. I think he'll light it up.

I fully agree with this take but I think there is recency biais against Slovak players given the Slaf pick. (not wanting to start a Slaf discussion si please don't comment on this particular point)

Once you remove nationality and look at the fact : he produces at a GOAL per game pace in U20, and a 2.1 PPG. Plays against men and is not a top player there yet but still playing with them which is more than many players his age Can Say. Great shot, great defensive IQ, good on the dot... I d take him top 10 no hesitatiion

 

[PavelBrendl]

Reinbacher is 13th OV on Tankathon. The belief on here seems to be he won't drop that low for us to pick him with the Panthers 1st but wouldn't that be something.

Reinbacher plays a high-value position, and one that is scarce in this year’s crop. If a team in the top 10 decides they want an RD, it’ll be him.

Would f***ing love to grab him mid-first. What a windfall.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I wasn't making a reference to similarity in their games. Just that DGS and I have had some battles on players in the past. He was right on Tkachuk, I was right on Poehling.

Now I am nowhere near as low on Dvorsky as I was on Poehling, I'll be clear.

Also should be said Poehling was always a late first guy, they are rarely home runs that work out.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Reinbacher is 13th OV on Tankathon. The belief on here seems to be he won't drop that low for us to pick him with the Panthers 1st but wouldn't that be something.

I think this year in particular there will be a huge difference between mock drafts and real draft as far as Ds are concerned.

 

[Michoulicious]

Nothing I didn't know about him, but seeing that video just made me want ASP even more in a Habs sweater.

This skating, those passes, those hands...

Those crossovers to get around the net at 4:33 remind me of PK, but ASP is just a way better skater than PK.

Zellweger maybe stylewise as a recent comparable?

 

[Goldenhands]

The issue with Smith right now for me is his lack of strength, motor and defensive shortcomings, he loses alot of 50/50 puck battles, quit his position too quckly for offense, no back pressure, poor defensive reads and very little physical commitment. Kid is pretty raw and alot of the offense he generates comes with some cheating. Dvorsky is a much better rounded center, much more engaged physically, defensively, way better 200 ft work., Dvorsky takes smarter decisions under pressure while Smith will tend to precipitate his passes at times. I see Smith as a project, a 3-4 yrs project who will need to hit the gym big time and round up his game in the upcoming yrs. Could become great down the road if everything goes right in his development, but Dvorsky is much more of a sure bet to reach his celling at this point, which is a solid 200ft. top 6 center.

Look at this, poor back pressure, loses track of the man he decided to cover, turns on the wrong side, loses his edge. I could put alot of highlights videos where he makes great passes, great plays, but I could also post plenty of vids where he looks really bad defensively and poorly engaged.

 

[AHShadow]

The issue with Smith right now for me is his lack of strength, motor and defensive shortcomings, he loses alot of 50/50 puck battles, quit his position too quckly for offense, no back pressure, poor defensive reads and very little physical commitment. Kid is pretty raw and alot of the offense he generates comes with some cheating. Dvorsky is a much better rounded center, much more engaged physically, defensively, way better 200 ft work., Dvorsky takes smarter decisions under pressure while Smith will tend to precipitate his passes at times. I see Smith as a project, a 3-4 yrs project who will need to hit the gym big time and round up his game in the upcoming yrs. Could become great down the road if everything goes right in his development, but Dvorsky is much more of a sure bet to reach his celling at this point, which is a solid 200ft. top 6 center.

Look at this, poor back pressure, loses track of the man he decided to cover, turns on the wrong side, loses his edge. I could put alot of highlights videos where he makes great passes, great plays, but I could also post plenty of vids where he looks really bad defensively and poorly engaged.

View attachment 679773

The problem with drafting Dvorsky is that we're not getting that much closer to becoming a Stanley cup contender with him. We already have Dach, Suzuki and Beck as potential top 6 forwards.

What we're missing is a highly dynamic and creative offensive forward that can really push the game in our favour. Although riskier than Dvorsky, both Smith (lack consistency and bad defensively) and Benson (short and maybe doesn't create enough pace) have more potential to be those guys.

It's also why I wouldn't really want to reach for Moore, who also seems to have a pretty safe 2nd C floor and not a huge ceiling.

 

[Skip Bayless]

View attachment 679654Hummmm… i fell off my chair

Imagine the salt around the league. Just imagine...

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

The problem with drafting Dvorsky is that we're not getting that much closer to becoming a Stanley cup contender with him. We already have Dach, Suzuki and Beck as potential top 6 forwards.

What we're missing is a highly dynamic and creative offensive forward that can really push the game in our favour. Although riskier than Dvorsky, both Smith (lack consistency and bad defensively) and Benson (short and maybe doesn't create enough pace) have more potential to be those guys.

It's also why I wouldn't really want to reach for Moore, who also seems to have a pretty safe 2nd C floor and not a huge ceiling.

For those who love Dvorsky, would you be willing to put your metaphorical reputations on the line and proclaim him having a chance at being the team's best forward down the line, in a way where it would be obvious? An NHL Alpha where the offense can run through him?

 

[Playmaker09]

The issue with Smith right now for me is his lack of strength, motor and defensive shortcomings, he loses alot of 50/50 puck battles, quit his position too quckly for offense, no back pressure, poor defensive reads and very little physical commitment. Kid is pretty raw and alot of the offense he generates comes with some cheating. Dvorsky is a much better rounded center, much more engaged physically, defensively, way better 200 ft work., Dvorsky takes smarter decisions under pressure while Smith will tend to precipitate his passes at times. I see Smith as a project, a 3-4 yrs project who will need to hit the gym big time and round up his game in the upcoming yrs. Could become great down the road if everything goes right in his development, but Dvorsky is much more of a sure bet to reach his celling at this point, which is a solid 200ft. top 6 center.

Look at this, poor back pressure, loses track of the man he decided to cover, turns on the wrong side, loses his edge. I could put alot of highlights videos where he makes great passes, great plays, but I could also post plenty of vids where he looks really bad defensively and poorly engaged.

View attachment 679773

Throughout the majority of that replay, he's in perfect position. It's 4-on-4, man-to-man coverage, and Smith is with his D the whole way down the ice, checking for him over his shoulder.

The only mistake made was he assumed his D (#24) would stop on that rebound and started turning up ice too early to transition. If #24 doesn't take a lap around the net for no reason, it's a possible 2-on-1 the other way for Smith and Perreault.

I can find you clips like that of any player in this draft, even Dvorsky or Moore. Those players are nowhere near as polished as they're made to be, nor is Smith 3-4 years away. I'm curious what your opinion of Suzuki would be were he in this draft.

 

[Goldenhands]

The problem with drafting Dvorsky is that we're not getting that much closer to becoming a Stanley cup contender with him. We already have Dach, Suzuki and Beck as potential top 6 forwards.

What we're missing is a highly dynamic and creative offensive forward that can really push the game in our favour. Although riskier than Dvorsky, both Smith (lack consistency and bad defensively) and Benson (short and maybe doesn't create enough pace) have more potential to be those guys.

It's also why I wouldn't really want to reach for Moore, who also seems to have a pretty safe 2nd C floor and not a huge ceiling.

For those who love Dvorsky, would you be willing to put your metaphorical reputations on the line and proclaim him having a chance at being the team's best forward down the line, in a way where it would be obvious? An NHL Alpha where the offense can run through him?

First, Dvorsky is producing at the same pace as Smith in J20, which isnt a worst league than USHL. 2nd, Dvorsky did it without much help and strong 2-way game while Smith had 2 first rounders beside him. Perreault, a projected mid, late 1st rounder who put more pts on the board than Smith himself and Leonard who I personally have ranked over Smith.

Saying that Dvorsky has less offensive upside than Smith is an urban legend, they have different tools, but both have alot of talent.

I would bet on Dvorsky over Smith easily for sure without much hesitation since he is way easier to project than Smith at this point. I also think some people are underrating his upside vs other kids, there is no guarentee Smith's game will translate and will be able to drive a line at the NHL down the road, kid has a long way to go and there is no guarentee Benson will be able to dominate at the pro level the way he is doing in junior either, the size/skating might prevent him to have the same impact. If you ask me to pick one between the 2, I would gamble on Benson since he has grit to his game and a fantastic motor, which Smith is badly lacking.

My #1 pick remains Reinbacher, but after that, I would easily go with Dvorsky personally.

 

[RationalExpectations]

For those who love Dvorsky, would you be willing to put your metaphorical reputations on the line and proclaim him having a chance at being the team's best forward down the line, in a way where it would be obvious? An NHL Alpha where the offense can run through him?

I think he will never be a play driver, that is what he is not, but there is a chance he becomes the second best sniper after Caufield if you pair him with a playmaker like Dach. There is a chance he is a guy who wins the faceoffs and then makes your PP much more of a threat because of his shot.