2023 NHL Entry Draft

[Mrb1p]

Not a big year for the OHL..

I think its more of a testament that those leagues are not 18 years old leagues.

 

[calder candidate]

If we pick But in the top 7 this year, even the biggest McCagg haters will eat crow, yes?

Does it make it the right pick? If it end up being the BPA yes if he is a bust than no…

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

What about Will Smith for the Habs? And maybe Axel Sandin-Pellika?

 

[WeThreeKings]

What about Will Smith for the Habs? And maybe Axel Sandin-Pellika?

Yes for Will Smith.. pass on ASP.

 

[NotProkofievian]

What about Will Smith for the Habs? And maybe Axel Sandin-Pellika?

They are both rapscallions and I simply will not stand them on the Habs.

 

[Wats]

If we pick But in the top 7 this year, even the biggest McCagg haters will eat crow, yes?

Habs 1st round history is pretty bad, especially the years where McCagg called the picks. If he's right it usually means bad juju for Habs.

 

[TomKosto]

They are both very very good. But Will Smith will be the logical choice for Habs. He have insane skillset, talented C, he is the Logan Cooley of this draft. But... if Habs prefer to pick Zach Benson, thats a really good choice aswell. I really like him and one of both will be a great consolation prize to dont pick top 4.

How's Smith skating?

 

[River Meadow]

They are both very very good. But Will Smith will be the logical choice for Habs. He have insane skillset, talented C, he is the Logan Cooley of this draft. But... if Habs prefer to pick Zach Benson, thats a really good choice aswell. I really like him and one of both will be a great consolation prize to dont pick top 4.

Give me Will Smith or give me death.

 

[Goldenhands]

When Bob's list came out that Slaf was the number 1 prospect, I bet a lot of money on that happening and cleared a good chunk of money. Bob doesn't miss on #1..

It was either Mesar or Kulich at our Calgary 1st.

Owen Beck, Firkus, Chelsey and Hutson were the natural choices at our 2nd.

Hutson still being there at 62 made it pretty obvious he'd be the selection.

Nobody nailed Engstrom.

Rohrer was someone the Habs really liked, as evidenced in the athletic article and stuff coming out pre-draft, so when he didn't go at the Engstrom pick, it was pretty obvious they would take Rohrer.

After that it's crapshoot territory and no one is nailing those picks.



There's more chances of me having a threesome with Alison Brie and Margot Robbie tonight.

Delete. Sorry bud.

 

[River Meadow]

How's Smith skating?

Good skater, not elite, but good.

Good edgework, agility, etc.

He can improve it but it's not a negative.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I’d be Ok with Smith. The effort level is lacking somewhat, but he does have decent size and is willing to go to the net. He’s not soft even if he’s a little lazy, kinda like PLD. Not as big as PLD, but good size, elite skills and playmaking and good edges even if he isn’t fast. When looking at the overall big picture of abilities, I think he could well be a really good player maybe like a Jason Spezza.

 

[KevSkillz4]

How's Smith skating?

Not the best skater. But good skater. Kinda like Suzuki.

 

[26Mats]

Not the best skater. But good skater. Kinda like Suzuki.

Michkov reminds me of Cole Caufiled in this video. Always smiling, always dangerous offensively, despite being on the smaller side:

 

[Mrb1p]

How's Smith skating?

He's not a good skater, there's no need to sugar coat it. He doesn't generate any power in his stride, he glides too much and his edges are mid. Lets say a 6/10.

The suzuki comparisons are lazy, as of now. Smith has no lower body strength, and his technique is meh.

 

[Schooner Guy]

I'm not sure that's much of an argument. Patrice Bergeron also played wing in his draft year and in his rookie season. The way he uses ice and how he handles the middle of the ice should make it evident that he's a center. He's legit the perfect center prototype, why would you think he's best suited at wing ? Especially when his long range shooting is probably his only "weakness" (It's not actually weak.)

Bergeron certainly played center for Acadie-Bathurst in his draft year. His NHL rookie season was the only time he didn't finish above 50% in face-offs but he took 700 face-offs that year as an 18-year old. He was also center on a line with Crosby (LW) and Perry (RW) in the 2005 WJC during the lockout year which was one of the most dominant lines Canada has ever had in a WJC tournament.

Not many players go from primarily playing the wing in their draft year to playing center at the NHL level. A lot more players go from center to the wing. My money's on Carlsson playing the wing in the Show.

 

[Mrb1p]

Bergeron certainly played center for Acadie-Bathurst in his draft year. His NHL rookie season was the only time he didn't finish above 50% in face-offs but he took 700 face-offs that year as an 18-year old. He was also center on a line with Crosby (LW) and Perry (RW) in the 2005 WJC during the lockout year which was one of the most dominant lines Canada has ever had in a WJC tournament.

Not many players go from primarily playing the wing in their draft year to playing center at the NHL level. A lot more players go from center to the wing. My money's on Carlsson playing the wing in the Show.

I seemed to recall Bergeron playing at RW with perry and Crosby, but thats a long time ago maybe Im wrong. Anyway, the point stands, wherever you play before your draft doesn't mean thats where you should play and coaches do what coaches will do.

A lot go from wing to center, its the most common shift, I think. Especially when playing either as a U19 in the WJC or as a U19 in pro leagues, like in Carlssons case.

Aside from his coaches, what makes you think he's a winger at the next level ?

 

[TomKosto]

He's not a good skater, there's no need to sugar coat it. He doesn't generate any power in his stride, he glides too much and his edges are mid. Lets say a 6/10.

The suzuki comparisons are lazy, as of now. Smith has no lower body strength, and his technique is meh.

Is it better than Benson? Because Benson seems to have the edge on pretty much everything except vision?

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Is it better than Benson? Because Benson seems to have the edge on pretty much everything except vision?

Smith is definitely bigger and I’d also say more skilled. Benson has a massive edge in regards to energy where Benson is an energized bunny while Smith kind of floats around.

 

[Jack Skellington]

Does anyone have a video or something of Smith that showcases what he could do? Ive watched a few basic highlight ones and it's really not impressing much, plus the score in the games is usually already 7-1 or something in favour of USDP.

 

[BergevinBurner]

I wonder if Benson's injury will scare off any teams if he doesn't return before the playoffs end.

 

[26Mats]

I wonder if Benson's injury will scare off any teams if he doesn't return before the playoffs end.

Is he your pick at 5?

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

Slaf sucks, that’s is all.

 

[Mrb1p]

Is it better than Benson? Because Benson seems to have the edge on pretty much everything except vision?

Better because he's taller I guess, he does naturally cover more ground because he has longer legs, longer arms and a longer stick. Benson is a better skater though, all in all, they both do the same thing. I think Benson is a much better player when it comes to vision, it's probably best in the draft, even over Bedard, for Benson. Smith has the edge in size and shot, but he never shoots.

Does anyone have a video or something of Smith that showcases what he could do? Ive watched a few basic highlight ones and it's really not impressing much, plus the score in the games is usually already 7-1 or something in favour of USDP.

These two are good.

 

[BergevinBurner]

Is he your pick at 5?

In the 5-7 range I'd definitely be considering him, but I only just found out that he's missed the entire first round with an upper body injury.

It'd be nice to see if he comes back and plays up to his own standard before the playoffs end, if not then I'd be a little hesitant.

 

[Jaynki]

They are both very very good. But Will Smith will be the logical choice for Habs. He have insane skillset, talented C, he is the Logan Cooley of this draft. But... if Habs prefer to pick Zach Benson, thats a really good choice aswell. I really like him and one of both will be a great consolation prize to dont pick top 4.

I think Benson has more similarities with Cooley than Smith tho.

I would lean Will Smith too tho