2023 NHL Entry Draft

[le_sean]

Hoff used to be a good skater? That is one of his biggest weaknesses now, along with compete, not sure I follow the comparison

Hoffman was a good skater. He was also a 30-30 guy most of his career.

Yeah, the compete isn’t the same, which is why I said he’s not as dumb. I should have also said that he works hard.

But I see Yager being a similar 30-30 player that has a great release. Except Yager won’t hurt the team like Hoffman does.

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

Don't really see that comparison.
He skates fast in straight lines and can snipe but not much else.
Point is much more high IQ and well rounded.

Yager has made strides in his playmaking this season. I see a lot of potential in Yager on the defensive side as well, and Point is also terrific in his own end. I see similarities in their styles; being jitterbugs on the ice, two-way players (obviously Yager isn't that yet, but he's working on his defensive game a lot), and both have great shots. I think Yager has that upside in him.

 

[Mrb1p]

Yager is Pacioretty, that's the comparison. The way he generates offense is literally a copy cat of Pac when he was good. He has the same qualities on the rush, from opening up the ice on the neutral zone to letting go of a shot around the hash.

Same long, explosive stride, same puck handling at high speed, I'd like to say he has a bit less of blinders on but well see when he goes up a level. Defensively, he's very good at applying pressure and at holding out the zone, just like Pac was. Bonus point because Yager can play C too.

He has been compared to Mac (and he likes to compare himself to Mac) but he doesn't have anything near the edges that Nate has and he certainly does not have the east-west game that Mackinnon has.

 

[Mrb1p]

Saw Lardis mentioned somewhere, my quick scouting report: loves to shoot. High IQ. Good skater. Plays 200 feet and has a great stick for creating turnovers. Good 2nd round target.

He's going top 20, if not higher, lol.

 

[Balthazar]

Regressing in point equivalency isn’t a good sign in a draft year. I like Sale, but not in the top 10.

I could see both dropping out of the top 10, especially in a draft like this one. Early in the draft GM's aren't fans of players that didn't meet expectations. They are more inclined to draft the latest risers.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

He's going top 20, if not higher, lol.

Way too early say that. Very little is definitive at this point.

 

[Mrb1p]

Way too early say that. Very little is definitive at this point.

Way too early? Wdm the drafts in a month and a half

 

[Jack Skellington]

Except he’s producing at 2x the rate Vrana did in J20 and pro leagues in his draft year.

Dvorsky plays in like a relegation version of the SHL right? Allveskan or whatever? Is it a large difference to the big league?

 

[montreal]

 

[LesHabitants]

Robert Thomas wasn’t as good of a skater. Also more of a playmaker than a shooter. I wouldn’t really compare the two. Yager is like Hoffman but not as dumb.

I don't see at all the comparison with Hoffman. Yager's skating is much better, as is his compete level, and the improvement in his playmaking would make me say that he's more capable in that department than Hoffman. Granted, we've seen Hoffman on the back 9 of his career. He was much better in Ottawa. But I just don't see the stylistic comparison.

...but is he as dumb?

 

[jrom]

https://www.tvasports.ca/2023/04/05/dans-la-mire-du-ch--il-me-fait-vraiment-penser-a-nathan-mackinnon

Low-key Martineau is doing a much better job than other Quebec based media reporting on prospects and the draft. Can’t stand Leroux.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Yager's compete level is ok, but nothing special. He doesn't dog it. That's about it.

As for his playmaking, he's not an elite playmaker by any means, he gets the job done, and generally makes the right play.

I don't find him involved enough as a center. He's always F3, and sits back too much in passivity. It doesn't help that Firkus is his linemate this year, and tends to puck hog. They were on separate lines last year. Yager also doesn't bring much of a physical game.

Yager was a winger last season a position that suits him much better. I loved his game way more as a winger than as a center. Way more speed, net drive & more involved in the forechecking as the F1. He would fly up the wing, and would beat defenses wide, and had a more complete scoring game.

At NHL level, I think he gets moved to wing. He'd do well as a right shooting LW. He can shoot in motion, and has a really heavy shot.

 

[Mrb1p]

Yager's compete level is ok, but nothing special. He doesn't dog it. That's about it.

As for his playmaking, he's not an elite playmaker by any means, he gets the job done, and generally makes the right play.

I don't find him involved enough as a center. He's always F3, and sits back too much in passivity. It doesn't help that Firkus is his linemate this year, and tends to puck hog. They were on separate lines last year. Yager also doesn't bring much of a physical game.

Yager was a winger last season a position that suits him much better. I loved his game way more as a winger than as a center. Way more speed, net drive & more involved in the forechecking as the F1. He would fly up the wing, and would beat defenses wide, and had a more complete scoring game.

At NHL level, I think he gets moved to wing. He'd do well as a right shooting LW. He can shoot in motion, and has a really heavy shot.

Man's just described Patches

Honestly I think he'd be a very good pickup with FLA's.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

I'd be happy if we draft Fowler pretty early as well, maybe with our 2nd. I get some Fucale vibes from him but his stats in the USHL are really nice, and I like the NCAA route for goalies

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Man's just described Patches

Honestly I think he'd be a very good pickup with FLA's.

Yeah, Pacioretty is a pretty good comp, I think.

 

[Goldenhands]

Yager's compete level is ok, but nothing special. He doesn't dog it. That's about it.

As for his playmaking, he's not an elite playmaker by any means, he gets the job done, and generally makes the right play.

I don't find him involved enough as a center. He's always F3, and sits back too much in passivity. It doesn't help that Firkus is his linemate this year, and tends to puck hog. They were on separate lines last year. Yager also doesn't bring much of a physical game.

Yager was a winger last season a position that suits him much better. I loved his game way more as a winger than as a center. Way more speed, net drive & more involved in the forechecking as the F1. He would fly up the wing, and would beat defenses wide, and had a more complete scoring game.

At NHL level, I think he gets moved to wing. He'd do well as a right shooting LW. He can shoot in motion, and has a really heavy shot.

I think both Moore and Yager will play wing at the NHL level and be more productive there. That being said I much prefer Moore to Yager, way higher motor, smarter 2-way game, stronger on pucks and overall more dynamic. I have Yager outside of my top 20, has been underwhelming everytime I watched him this year, tonight is no exception and you cant justify it all on playing at the wrong position.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I think both Moore and Yager will play wing at the NHL level and be more productive there. That being said I much prefer Moore to Yager, way higher motor, smarter 2-way game, stronger on pucks and overall more dynamic. I have Yager outside of my top 20, has been underwhelming everytime I watched him this year and you cant justify it all on playing at the wrong position.

Yeah, I have Moore ahead too, but I've been a Moore fan all season. He and Leonard.

Both would bring some much needed energy along with their talent to our prospect pool. We need more players who like to play in overdrive.

 

[Goldenhands]

Yeah, I have Moore ahead too, but I've been a Moore fan all season. He and Leonard.

Both would bring some much needed energy along with their talent to our prospect pool. We need more players who like to play in overdrive.

Watched a bit of Lardis and its hard to not like him, easily one of the top skaters in the draft, great motor and skills, that being said, he is pretty tiny, a bit hard to project his frame, but Im a fan no doubt.

 

[McGees]

While I can't see us taking But over Michkov or in the top-10 at all, Grant is usually pretty good at calling late risers. I'm thinking But definitely goes top-15 even if it isn't the Habs who pick him.

Some interesting finagling we could with our 2 1sts and early 2nd is try and draft the entire USDP top line. Their chemistry is great.

Smith with our pick, Leonard with the Florida pick, and trade up with our 2nd to get Perreault.



Personality wise, Yager is the exact kind of guy Hughes and Gorton fall in love with

I'm impressed with his maturity and excitement but also scared that we might draft him now

Pretty dang sure Leonard goes top 10.
Also Michkov gonna drop now more than ever.
Benson or Smith will go 4.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

Daniil But is of Ukrainian heritage as well so Hughes can't get canceled for drafting him. His father was born in Ukraine and played hockey in Russia becoming a citizen

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Watched a bit of Lardis and its hard to not like him, easily one of the top skaters in the draft, great motor and skills, that being said, he is pretty tiny, a bit hard to project his frame, but Im a fan no doubt.

Yeah, height is good. The weight is 12 year old level. Lol

He gets pushed off the puck pretty easily, but he gets right back into the battle.

He's going to need two years just to gain weight & increase strength.

 

[Frozenice]

Yeah, Pacioretty is a pretty good comp, I think.

Bobby Ryan would be my comparison.

 

[NeptunesTrident]

If Michkov is available and Hugo passes, I can’t see a scenario that they would draft a player from Russia later on. It wouldn’t make sense.

 

[Mrb1p]

Watched a bit of Lardis and its hard to not like him, easily one of the top skaters in the draft, great motor and skills, that being said, he is pretty tiny, a bit hard to project his frame, but Im a fan no doubt.

Lardis is the same size as Moore and Leonard and like 5 inches taller than Brindley.

Bobby Ryan would be my comparison.

Maybe on a off day. Yager isn't super intense but he pushes the pace, especially on the wing. He also doesn't have Ryans hands, and he's not as soft, even if he's not a bruiser.

 

[Goldenhands]

Lardis is the same size as Moore and Leonard and like 5 inches taller than Brindley.

Yet, both are much stronger physically. Brindley is 5'9 .