2023 NHL Entry Draft

[Garo]

No Michkov in the first round at all seems so absurd. If he's still around at the Panthers' pick and we pass it's extremely questionable.

 

[Weber Fan]

I’m torn between Smith and Benson…I love the skills of both. I prefer the shape of Smith but i prefer the competiveness of Benson…

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

He broke Kucherov’s records at a younger age, you don’t pass on that talent. Unless of course, by some crazy fluke, someone takes Smith/Benson and Carlsson falls to us at 5. Then you sprint to the podium with a giant grin on your face

 

[phillytennis]

A

It’s interesting that the 2019 US was way better talent wise yet this years team outproduced that legendary squad. Anyone with ideas as to why?

It could be that the competition was weaker.

 

[Schooner Guy]

He broke Kucherov’s records at a younger age, you don’t pass on that talent. Unless of course, by some crazy fluke, someone takes Smith/Benson and Carlsson falls to us at 5. Then you sprint to the podium with a giant grin on your face

What if he never comes here? Do you think he'll want to put other family members at risk after his father's mysterious death? It's a bad situation over there right now and getting worse. He might not be allowed to leave with the way things are going.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Sounds like the iron curtain again

 

[Goldenhands]

Benson is back in the winnipeg ice’s lineup tonight!

Thats his job to scout and rank Russians redardless of the Russian factor.

Sounds like the iron curtain again

Thats exactly this.

 

[Zine]

A healthy 51-year old man mysteriously drowns in a pond in Russia after telling his son (the best Russian prospect in 20 years) he was going for a walk. It's like a bad B-movie playing out for real. Russian prospects have bigger things than NHL hockey to worry about.

Why is everything coming out of Russia turned into some conspiracy theory? It's like North Americans love Russians as the sterotypical bad guys and will sensationalize anything to propagate it. Rocky 4 style.

The Michkov family just experienced a terrible tragedy, yet it's portrayed in NA as some secret Putin assassination. You think Michkov would want to deal with that insensitive media bullcrap if he was in North America?
Michkov's dad almost certainly had a heart attack and drowned after going for walk near the pond to get some fresh air b/c he wasn't feeling well. Where he died was hardly the ideal place to stage a murder. Good heavens.

And FYI, the KHL will not put in place measures to keep its players longterm....yet. The possibility was just discussed at the KHL board meeting.
If they do do this, it will be with junior age players (not playing pro). They will be required to reimburse their hockey schools ($$) before being allowed to go to North America.

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

What if he never comes here? Do you think he'll want to put other family members at risk after his father's mysterious death? It's a bad situation over there right now and getting worse. He might not be allowed to leave with the way things are going.

How the hell do you know what’s going on over there or anything surrounding his late father. Pure speculation built off of no real evidence. Let the investigation happen. He’s already stated he fully intends to play NHL and there’s many nhlers that go back during off-season and come back to NA. This fear of whether he’ll ever play here is so overblown. Plus, you’re completely assuming the political state is the same when his contract is over. Could be an non issue by then just as much as it could be one.

 

[Doublechin]

Danila Yurov got drafted 24th last summer despite russian factor

Have that same draft this year, with what we knew last year from a hockey POV and he ain't getting top 60

 

[Mrb1p]

one of his favorite prospect is Daniil But, a russian.

Whos 100% sure to not go top 32.

 

[Doublechin]

I haven't been following prospects as much as I did but this is my attempt at a top 17 as of today and taking the unfortunate Russian factor into play (otherwise Michkov is 2 and Simashev around 14 to 17)

1.Bedard
2.Fantilli
3.Carlsson
4.Benson
5.Leonard
6.Smith
7.Reinbacher
8.Michkov
9.Dvorsky
10.Moore
11.Yager
12.Danielson
13.Wood
14.Sale
15.Lardis
16.Barlow
17.Cristall

 

[Mrb1p]

What if he never comes here? Do you think he'll want to put other family members at risk after his father's mysterious death? It's a bad situation over there right now and getting worse. He might not be allowed to leave with the way things are going.

Never is quite a long time. A much longer time than most wars ever last.

 

[SwiftyHab]

Why is everything coming out of Russia turned into some conspiracy theory? It's like North Americans love Russians as the sterotypical bad guys and will sensationalize anything to propagate it. Rocky 4 style.

The Michkov family just experienced a terrible tragedy, yet it's portrayed in NA as some secret Putin assassination. You think Michkov would want to deal with that insensitive media bullcrap if he was in North America?
Michkov's dad almost certainly had a heart attack and drowned after going for walk near the pond to get some fresh air b/c he wasn't feeling well. Where he died was hardly the ideal place to stage a murder. Good heavens.

And FYI, the KHL will not put in place measures to keep its players longterm....yet. The possibility was just discussed at the KHL board meeting.
If they do do this, it will be with junior age players (not playing pro). They will be required to reimburse their hockey schools ($$) before being allowed to go to North America.

I don’t want to belabour the point but here’s what we know.
The NHL suspended their agreement with the KHL at the start of the Ukraine war which means that the NHL will no longer recognize any KHL agreements when signing their players. Basically declaring it’s open season on Russian pkayers

The KHL then says that up and coming Russian players may/will have to stay there long enough to at least pay back their schooling (however that long is)

Within that context, The most talented Russian up and comer in Michkov has his dad die in very questionable circumstances.

Even if you’re hardly paying attention, there is a pretty clear message that the Russian government doesn’t want their players to leave and they’ll either use regulation or fear to keep their players there.

GMs have to think that there’s a strong possibility that Michkov and other Russians may never come.

You can save this post and throw it in my face later but I’m willing to bet that Michkov doesn’t break the top 20. Maybe not even the first round.

 

[Schooner Guy]

Never is quite a long time. A much longer time than most wars ever last.

I grew up watching an NHL without a single Russian player. There's a lot more happening right now in Russia than just the war.

 

[Schooner Guy]

How the hell do you know what’s going on over there or anything surrounding his late father. Pure speculation built off of no real evidence. Let the investigation happen. He’s already stated he fully intends to play NHL and there’s many nhlers that go back during off-season and come back to NA. This fear of whether he’ll ever play here is so overblown. Plus, you’re completely assuming the political state is the same when his contract is over. Could be an non issue by then just as much as it could be one.

Let the investigation happen? Good lord...you're living in a fantasy world full of blind faith.

Has he stated he fully intends to play in the NHL since the death of his father?

You're right that it could be a non-issue when his contract is over but the situation also could be worse. We don't know.

 

[Seb]

No Michkov in the first round at all seems so absurd. If he's still around at the Panthers' pick and we pass it's extremely questionable.

There's a strong possibility we trade that pick. We still currently own it, but I'm personally mentally preparing myself to this scenario.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Trading valuable picks for PLD is such a Bergevin move…..why? We, can have him for cash next year!!!!!! Are people really that shortsighted??

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If we can get PLD extended for a team friendly deal, you absolutely trade a pick for him. Wait it out and things can go awry.

 

[SwiftyHab]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If we can get PLD extended for a team friendly deal, you absolutely trade a pick for him. Wait it out and things can go awry.

Agree. Draft Reinbacher and trade for PLD

 

[MON4NHLTOR4MLB]

Let the investigation happen? Good lord...you're living in a fantasy world full of blind faith.

Has he stated he fully intends to play in the NHL since the death of his father?

You're right that it could be a non-issue when his contract is over but the situation also could be worse. We don't know.

And we also don’t know a ****ing thing about his fathers passing, so quit assuming anything until more is known.

 

[SlafySZN]

Where do you guys think Aydar Suniev could be picked?

Probably still there with our 3rd round?

 

[Goldenhands]

Agree. Draft Reinbacher and trade for PLD

With Dubois signed long term, there is no need to go for a foward at the top of this draft unless thats one of the top 4, we would be set for yrs to come and there is the Calgary pick we got in the Monahan deal that could end up being pretty high. So we could have another shot at getting another high end foward, possibly better than what is available after the big 4 this year.

Dubois Suzuki Caufield

Slaf Dach Heineman

RHP/Farrell Beck Ylonen/Mesar/Roy

Drafting a top RD like Reinbacher would make our blueline one of the top in the league for the next decade.

 

[Zine]

I don’t want to belabour the point but here’s what we know.
The NHL suspended their agreement with the KHL at the start of the Ukraine war which means that the NHL will no longer recognize any KHL agreements when signing their players. Basically declaring it’s open season on Russian pkayers

The KHL then says that up and coming Russian players may/will have to stay there long enough to at least pay back their schooling (however that long is)

Within that context, The most talented Russian up and comer in Michkov has his dad die in very questionable circumstances.

Even if you’re hardly paying attention, there is a pretty clear message that the Russian government doesn’t want their players to leave and they’ll either use regulation or fear to keep their players there.

GMs have to think that there’s a strong possibility that Michkov and other Russians may never come.

You can save this post and throw it in my face later but I’m willing to bet that Michkov doesn’t break the top 20. Maybe not even the first round.

Huh? Despite formally suspending the agreement, the NHL reiterated they would still respect all existing and future KHL contracts.
It is still in Bettman's interest to respect contracts because the KHL could reciprocate by perhaps stealing some disgruntled Russian NHLr/prospect under NHL contract. The NHL doesn't want to go down this route.


There has not been one occurance of the Russian government threateneing players famillies, let alone killing them. My god. What are we N. Korea? lol
I mean the hysteria, delerium, xenophobia, etc. is at 110% in NA hockey circles. Its like McCarthyism of the 1950s. The flat out lies and innuendos are crazy.
Not saying Russia isn't totally messed up now, but let's be a little worldly beyond "OMG Putin is killing everybody!".


And of course KHL want to keep players in Russia, but let's not sensationalize things by attributing violence to the situation. That's just dumb.


If anything, Russian players are more at risk in North America. NHL agent Dan Milstein said the NHL has needed to provide extra security for Russian players at games because they and their families were receiving death threats because of the Ukraine situation.

 

[DiglettDangles]

The hysteria about Russia needs to cool down...

If we were to entertain the theory that the Russian government wanted to ensure control on Michkov's career, what would the government do:
1. Dispose of his father permanently
2. Detain/scare/blackmail his father to scare Matvei
It makes no sense for the government to just eliminate some leverage they could use.
Also, why now instead of near the end of his contract?

If we were to entertain that the Russian government wanted to use Michkov as propaganda that Russia > West, what would they do:
3. Keep him in Russia by force/fear
4. Send him on the war front
5. Let him dominate in the world's best league after his current contract expires

As long as Russian players don't shy away from the military service (which even for sneaky Fedotov turned out to be playing hockey), and they get out of their Russian contract legally (either by expiration or buy-out), I don't see what the Russian government would have to gain from retaining their best players in Russia.

Yes, things are different in Russia than in NA, but they don't suddenly lose all ability to be logical.
Similarly, NA teams should realize they are probably the ones making up a lot of those risks due to a lack of information.

My opinion is that certainly before the end of the top 10, it's a bigger risk to skip Michkov than to pick him. Specifically for Montreal, it might be the last chance to score a superstar in the Suzuki cycle, as we are expecting a better season next year, and weaker draft classes in 2024 and 2025.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Ya I’m not saying he doesn’t have the attribute, I’m just saying he isn’t a guy with high playmaking ability that is required for defenseman to rack up points.

That is what was said about Seider ... He is not doing too bad right now.