2023 NHL Entry Draft

[Goldenhands]

Fantilli is what the Habs need the most

A franchise C that you can build your franchise around.

That is something that it’s EXTREMELY hard to find in the UFA/Trade market, so if you have a chance to draft him, it’s the best option for sure

I dont see Fantilli as a franchise center personally, I dont think he has the IQ to be that. More likely a Jack Eichel type of talent. middle pack top line center. Bedard is generational, no brainer, at #2 I have Leo Carlsson over Fantilli.

 

[Goldenhands]

What does Smith offer if he isn't scoring? What's his 'B' game?

If we're talking Smith v Benson at 5OA, the answer to that is much more critical to me than the 1-2inches in height. If Smith plays on one side of the puck, doesn't push pace with skating, doesn't stay engaged physically... he's just not making as big of an impact in as many areas as Benson.

I think he is terribly overrated, I just cant see him as a player the Habs are interested in. Benson I could see it, but Smith, I just cant.

Would you rather picks 5 and 6 or 2 and 15?

2 and 15 quite easily. Carlsson + the guy we draft at 15 could end up better than the guy picked at 6.

 

[habsfan891]

He did a recent interview and said his goal IS to play in NHL after his contract is over. He loves Ovechkin & Malkin and wants to play in NHL. It's his dream.

He plans on being at the draft, and will provide interviews with teams prior through video, etc.

Kid has 3 more years in Russia I believe. 18, 19 & 20 year old seasons. Should be in North America at 21.

If that's all true he's actually at the draft and does interviews I don't see how you pass on him at 5 if he's there.

 

[Goldenhands]

If that's all true he's actually at the draft and does interviews I don't see how you pass on him at 5 if he's there.

Passing on Michkov would be hands down the toughest decision Hughes would have to do since hired. He will get criticized one way or the other.

 

[Cubebrick]

I think he is terribly overrated, I just cant see him as a player the Habs are interested in. Benson I could see it, but Smith, I just cant.

To be fair, it's hard to deny that he is incredibly talented offensively so the appeal is understandable. His creativity with the puck is impressive and he does things with the puck that very few players can do.

But like you, I am not a fan of his overall game. The lack of effort is frustrating and the defensive side of his game is just nonexistent. There are times where he makes Hoffman look like he could be a frontrunner for the Selke.

Also I fail to see how he ends up as a C in the pros unless he starts giving a f*** on the ice.

 

[Goldenhands]

To be fair, it's hard to deny that he is incredibly talented offensively so the appeal is understandable. His creativity with the puck is impressive and he does things with the puck that very few players can do.

But like you, I am not a fan of his overall game. The lack of effort is frustrating and the defensive side of his game is just nonexistent. There are times where he makes Hoffman look like he could be a frontrunner for the Selke.

Also I fail to see how he ends up as a C in the pros unless he starts giving a f*** on the ice.

Oh Im not denying his talent level either, but some of his offensive production comes from cheating and wont translate, wont be able to find the open spots as easily either as he gets to play at higher levels, will have to be more involved in the play. Perreault's talent level is pretty high too and will likely get picked in the 2nd half of the 1st round.. I have Smith in the middle of the 1st, I think he is closer to Perreault than 5th OV.

 

[McGees]

Crazy, I almost hope we wait another year before grabbing Dubois.

Ya unless we win lottery I think we need 1 more tank year.

 

[Benstheman]

I dont see Fantilli as a franchise center personally, I dont think he has the IQ to be that. More likely a Jack Eichel type of talent. middle pack top line center. Bedard is generational, no brainer, at #2 I have Leo Carlsson over Fantilli.

I think Fantili lacks finishing touch. He is really dynamic and all over the ice but like you said, his limited IQ prevents him to choose the best options most of the time. Still has impressive toolbox though.

I think Carlsson has the edge with his hands and his shot. Has higher IQ to.

I think I’d also go for Carlsson at 2OA.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Ya unless we win lottery I think we need 1 more tank year.

Holy moly you MFs really do love to tank

Personally this year and last is all the losing I can take.

But it’s a moot point, no way are we this bad again.

 

[Habs Icing]

Why can’t you make your point without calling people morons?

Tourette Syndrome?

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I think he is terribly overrated, I just cant see him as a player the Habs are interested in. Benson I could see it, but Smith, I just cant.


2 and 15 quite easily. Carlsson + the guy we draft at 15 could end up better than the guy picked at 6.

So, you got Carlsson over Fantili ?

Higher ceiling for Carlsson is the reason ?

 

[jrom]

He's gonna look great in a Columbus jersey.

As long as he doesn’t land to another team in the Atlantic (especially OTT)

 

[Nedved]

I don't know why, but I feel like Carlsson falls 5 spot. Just waiting for the KK riser.

 

[HuGo Burner Acc]

I can certainly make the argument that Reinbacher is every bit as good as Nemec.

True. I wasn't specifically referring to him just saying if Habs in their view aren't taking an elite D prospect like the top 2 last year were, don't bother at this point

 

[NekkiChiconey]

Is 3 and 15 possible? Was trying to do different lottery outcomes- basically would it be better if the Florida pick moved up 10 spots or if our pick moved up to 2.

It's not. As a hypothetical scenario though, I'd be torn.

 

[AHShadow]

I don't know why, but I feel like Carlsson falls 5 spot. Just waiting for the KK riser.

I feel the only way is if Benson comes back from injury and dominates the playoffs or some prospect in the U18s dominates (ex: Dvorsky) and they rise in the top 5.

What's hard is that all teams except Anaheim need centers.

Maybe something like this:
Chicago - Bedard
Columbus (+1) - Fantilli
Anaheim (-1) - Benson
San Jose - Michkov
Montreal - Carlsson

But man the dream would be Carlsson falling to us. That would be perfect.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Carlsson's play-offs might put him ahead of Fantilli, forget falling.

 

[NekkiChiconey]

This is just a feeling but based on previous trends and how the top of the draft is shaping up, I think there's a very decent (see more than 50%) chance that Michkov is there at 5.

Bedard is 1st. Fantilli is 2nd barring any major earth-shattering surprise. In the 3rd spot, if an NHL GM is torn between Carlsson and Michkov, they realistically go Carlsson 8/10 times due to size, and the "uncertainty". Now, at 4, Michkov is definitely the best player available. However, Will Smith and Zach Benson could easily be argued as more valuable picks when factoring in "safety". They're still producing at a pace which normally solidifies a top-3 ranking, which would make a GM feel somewhat comfortable picking them before Michkov.

This train of thought would be stupid and probably a huge mistake, but I can easily see a majority of GMs going that route. For them, picking a 1st liner with less apparent risk is more palatable than picking a potential star with uncertainty.

Let's just hope we're not the ones making that mistake.

 

[Goldenhands]

I think Fantili lacks finishing touch. He is really dynamic and all over the ice but like you said, his limited IQ prevents him to choose the best options most of the time. Still has impressive toolbox though.

I think Carlsson has the edge with his hands and his shot. Has higher IQ to.

I think I’d also go for Carlsson at 2OA.

Exactly that, I would be pretty happy with Fantilli, dont get me wrong, but I think Carlsson is a better puck possession player and a smarter puck manager. Fantilli creates alot of his offense off the rush with his speed/hands while Carlsson is better at cyling, conrtolling the play, using his frame ect.

So, you got Carlsson over Fantili ?

Higher ceiling for Carlsson is the reason ?

Thats pretty close IMO, I just prefer Carlsson for the reasons mentionned above.

 

[SOLR]

I think Fantili lacks finishing touch. He is really dynamic and all over the ice but like you said, his limited IQ prevents him to choose the best options most of the time. Still has impressive toolbox though.

I think Carlsson has the edge with his hands and his shot. Has higher IQ to.

I think I’d also go for Carlsson at 2OA.

Don't think Fantilli is in the top 5, like I didn't believe in Byfield...same problem, but Fantilli has better tools than Byfield, better hands.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I feel the only way is if Benson comes back from injury and dominates the playoffs or some prospect in the U18s dominates (ex: Dvorsky) and they rise in the top 5.

What's hard is that all teams except Anaheim need centers.

Maybe something like this:
Chicago - Bedard
Columbus (+1) - Fantilli
Anaheim (-1) - Benson
San Jose - Michkov
Montreal - Carlsson

But man the dream would be Carlsson falling to us. That would be perfect.

There’s always risers and fallers. Hopefully a couple risers as you said and no fallers.

But my sense is that Michkov is the faller this year and Dvorsky the riser (post U18s).

The other thing to remember is that mathematically we are by far most likely picking 6th.

 

[Habby Patty]

There’s always risers and fallers. Hopefully a couple risers as you said and no fallers.

But my sense is that Michkov is the faller this year and Dvorsky the riser (post U18s).

The other thing to remember is that mathematically we are by far most likely picking 6th.

Dvorsky has done nothing but fall since the start of the season.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Dvorsky has done nothing but fall since the start of the season.

A dominant U18s and everyone will remember how good he is against his peers again.

 

[Whitesnake]

As of today...
1- Bedard
2- Fantilli
3- Carlsson
4-Michkov
5-Smith
6- Benson
7- Leonard
8- Moore
9- Reinbacher
10- Barlow

 

[rahad]

Ya unless we win lottery I think we need 1 more tank year.

I agree with you.

We drafted twice in 2022 (3 if you include a early Owen Beck).

We are going to draft twice in the top 20 in 2023

Another top 12 pick in 2024

We have Calgary first. So we draft twice in the first round in 2025.

Are rebuild would end in 2025.