2023 NHL Entry Draft

[SlafySZN]

His mechanic is bad, what are you even looking at. Theres no ankle flexion (which means he can only uses his strides to generate speed), his back is completely bended (which makes you lose balance and increases the risk of chronic back pain) and to top it off, he starts his strides wide (which means he cant generate a long push=no speed). You add that to a real lack of effort on most shifts and that puts him a tier below the top 5 at least.

I get the crazy pts total (tho that can also be explain by his tendency to always wait at his blue line instead of being involved in the Dzone) and his mits (then again, hes mostly a one trick poney with his toe drag, which while being really effective rn, wont be as much in the NHL), but I cant see a world where some teams really have him in front of Benson, Michkov or Reinbacher even.

People said the same about Cooley last year. Young players matures and get better while learning a more pro game eventually.

 

[Jaynki]

Is Drouin a good comp for Will Smith?

No. Drouin, from what i remember, was energetic and played with an edge in junior. He was very agressive offensively.

Honestly, i know the trade failed big time but its one of the rare instance where i give a pass to Bergevin. He was a young local with star potential at the time we acquired him.

 

[BoneHutson]

WHere are you getting the sense he is shit defensively? Based on the games ive watched and reports ive read from people much more qualified than me and you, he is pretty sound in the defensive zone

Theres no way youve actually watched him play and judged his defensive game+effort level were solid cmon. And those “reports” are often shit especially coming from Sportsnet and the hockey writers (they certainly dont watch the games and just pencil players as certain NHLer based on their pts total and size lmao)

People said the same about Cooley last year. Young players matures and get better while learning a more pro game eventually.

Cooley’s skating has always been on of his strenght. I sincerely have never seen any criticism about his skating coming from actual trusted sources… Do you have any proof? Anyway Smith and Cooleys skatings are miles apart

 

[Goldenhands]

At 1 or 2, it's 100% between Bedard at 1 or Fantilli and Carlsso at 2.

At 5 or 6, it's 100% between Smith or Benson. (If Michkov drop at there, let's do it).

At 7 or 8, it's 100% between Leonard, Moore, Yager, Dvorsky or Reinbacher.

Habs will draft between 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 or 8 right now.

I can already tell you that you are likely at least 50% wrong. Its likely Reinbacher or Dvorsky. If both are gone in the eventuality Michkov drops, then its probably between Leonard and Benson.

 

[Hope Of Glory]

Sam Costentino released his rankings. Wood is 20th.

Habs get Benson/Michkov/Reinbacher and can grab Wood(giggity) I'd be happy from my limited highlights/reading.

Need May 8th to hurry up and get here so the draft websites like draft Sim can be updated and can play around with that again

Lardis in the first round, no more a sleeper pick. Not really surprised but it sucks.

Also, Felix Nilsson is a surprise at 32.

 

[Goldenhands]

WHere are you getting the sense he is shit defensively? Based on the games ive watched and reports ive read from people much more qualified than me and you, he is pretty sound in the defensive zone

I think most Smith fans over here are now well aware of his poor defensive work, they are willing to live with the risk factor gambling on his talent level. Beyond poor defensive involvement, the motor is really low and the skating junior level average, thats where the Cooley comparisons end.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I can already tell you that you are likely at least 50% wrong. Its likely Reinbacher or Dvorsky. If both are gone in the eventuality Michkov drops, then its probably between Leonard and Benson.

I really like Dvorsky, but that would be a mistake if Habs draft him ahead Benson or Smith.

 

[ReHabs]

I can already tell you that you are likely at least 50% wrong. Its likely Reinbacher or Dvorsky. If both are gone in the eventuality Michkov drops, then its probably between Leonard and Benson.

If they don’t take Michkov they’re idiots and it doesn’t matter who they pick with any choice, it’ll end badly.

 

[SlafySZN]

Theres no way youve actually watched him play and judged his defensive game+effort level were solid cmon. And those “reports” are often shit especially coming from Sportsnet and the hockey writers (they certainly dont watch the games and just pencil players as certain NHLer based on their pts total and size lmao)

Cooley’s skating has always been on of his strenght. I sincerely have never seen any criticism about his skating coming from actual trusted sources… Do you have any proof? Anyway Smith and Cooleys skatings are miles apart

Not the skating. About his style of play saying his toe drags and plays wouldn’t work.

 

[jaffy27]

I have a feeling soft Molson will handcuff them from drafting Michkov and we’ll watch him be an all-timer in another organization but at least the political people will be happy

Not a chance…..we drafted Mailloux and his baggage…..think we can lay your notion 6ft under.

 

[le_sean]

If Slaf doesn’t have quick enough hands to be a net presence we’re in trouble lol

Yes because that’s the only thing he’s capable of bringing to an NHL team.

 

[Goldenhands]

If they don’t take Michkov they’re idiots and it doesn’t matter who they pick with any choice, it’ll end badly.

Listen, on a hockey level standpoint I 100% agree, but I just cant see Molson assuming a such risk, thats a huge hot potatoe to handle, they are the businessmen, we are only fans.

 

[River Meadow]

Not a chance…..we drafted Mailloux and his baggage…..think we can lay your notion 6ft under.

After the backlash and press from drafting Mailloux you think he wants more of that?

 

[Goldenhands]

I really like Dvorsky, but that would be a mistake if Habs draft him ahead Benson or Smith.

I will wait after the U18 before making a definitive statement on Dvorsky. I respect your opinion, but I dont think so.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I will wait after the U18 before making a definitive statement on Dvorsky. I respect your opinion, but I dont think so.

So you think that Dvorsky can be a top line player, winger more than C at NHL ?

 

[WinterLion]

I will wait after the U18 before making a definitive statement on Dvorsky. I respect your opinion, but I dont think so.

I agree that the U18's are going to make picks 4-10 more murky... it will make it even more fun around here...

 

[KevSkillz4]

Don't give me wrong guys... I really like Dvorsky, but more at 7-8 range (all players like Reinbacher, Leonard, Yager, Dvorsky or Moore can be selected at this range for Habs).

But at 5 and 6?? ZACH BENSON and WILL SMITH... that's a NO BRAINER for me.

 

[jaffy27]

After the backlash and press from drafting Mailloux you think he wants more of that?

Why the backlash for Michkov?

 

[River Meadow]

Why the backlash for Michkov?

Russian man bad, duh.

 

[Cubebrick]

Don't give me wrong guys... I really like Dvorsky, but more at 7-8 range (all players like Reinbacher, Leonard, Yager, Dvorsky or Moore can be selected at this range for Habs).

But at 5 and 6?? ZACH BENSON and WILL SMITH... that's a NO BRAINER for me.

Smith is a classic case of a kid who seems to think that he'll make it a career based on puck skills alone.

I mean the kid is a magician when the puck is on his blade, the tools are impressive. But man is he infuriating to watch on a shift by shift basis.

He's going to violently hit a wall unless he decides to start putting some effort into his game.

 

[jaffy27]

Russian man bad, duh.

Don’t think the Montreal fanbase is pissed with the russian people…maybe some woke leftist that knows jack about hockey will take issue but nobody gives a shit about them.

I assure you that if we traded for Ovechkin, the city would erupt with buzz

 

[River Meadow]

Don’t think the Montreal fanbase is pissed with the russian people…maybe some woke leftist that knows jack about hockey will take issue but nobody gives a shit about them.

I assure you that if we traded for Ovechkin, the city would erupt with buzz

100%.

But Quebec as a whole is woke af.

 

[WeThreeKings]

*2 weeks from now*

Will Smith is a literal ghost on the ice, his motor is so low he's clinically dead and players pass through his body defensively because he lacks a corporeal form.

 

[Goldenhands]

Smith is a classic case of a kid who seems to think that he'll make it a career based on puck skills alone.

I mean the kid is a magician when the puck is on his blade, the tools are impressive. But man is he infuriating to watch on a shift by shift basis.

He's going to violently hit a wall unless he decides to start putting some effort into his game.

Some people only valuate by highlights or offensive tools when there is so much more to the game. Smith struggles on the fundamentals of the game and while it will improve at some extend as he gets to play at higher levels and gain more strength, the red flags are totally legit and the bust potential higher than some other prospects. Motor wont likely ever be very high and his 200 ft flawed. Right now he is soft as butter.

 

[jaffy27]

Some people only valuate by highlights or offensive tools when there is so much more to the game. Smith struggles on the fundamentals of the game and while it will improve at some extend as he gets to play at higher levels and gain more strength, the red flags are totally legit and the bust potential higher than some other prospects. Motor wont likely ever be very high and his 200 ft flawed. Right now he is soft as butter.

@WeThreeKings take after digesting this post lol