2023 NHL Entry Draft

[NotProkofievian]

It's going to be a lot of fun watching Cristall and Wood.

 

[ReHabs]

Right. The idea is not to never draft Michkov. If he were available at the Florida pick it's a no brainer, obviously. The question is at what point in the draft does the risk seem worth it.

With the Habs' first pick, if he's available.

 

[BergevinBurner]

It's going to be a lot of fun watching Cristall and Wood.

Especially CrIstall, he'll have the opportunity to alleviate alot of the concerns people have with his game if he can show he can produce against other countries top prospects.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Nice to see some of the injured guys are back, both Benson and Sale returned from injuries yesterday. Benson will be part of a possible memorial cup run and Sale will be there for the U18s I imagine.

 

[Schooner Guy]

That's a lot of players who were on the gold medal winning team at the Hlinka-Gretzky tourney. It's amazing how many are out of their respective CHL teams playoffs. It looks to me like a far stronger roster than Canada had at last year's WU18 even though Bedard and Fantili were on that team.

It will be fun to watch Celebrini!

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

With the Habs' first pick, if he's available.

I wouldn’t take Michkov is we are picking 1st or 2nd, but assuming we’re not I’m on board.

 

[MtlSars]

With the Habs' first pick, if he's available.

yeah if we draft 5-6-7 you pick him no questions asked.

I still pick Fantilli or Carlsson at 2 before him however.

1 is a no brained this year.

 

[Mrb1p]

I'd say ASP is an elite skater. He already skates way better than the average SHLer.

He's Quinn Hughes smooth with his edges and his puck handling compliments that really, really well but have you ever seen him burst by a player with speed ? He glides a lot and he retains speed with his pivot, kind of like Smith, but he's not fast. Reinbacher is smooth and has insane power in his stride, he gets up ice in four, five strides because he has great length and power.

ASP is an elite skater and he's WAAAY smoother than Reinbacher. ASP hands and vision are top tier as well.

I get that people questions ASP physicality, ability to stop a cycle, intensity... But it's always almost the case for smaller offensive-minded Ds

I like Reinbacher and I have him in my top 10, but saying he's a better skater than ASP is a ridiculous statement.

1min52

He's a smooth skater for sure, and thats amplified by his insane puck handling abilities but he is not a fast skater.

I am a fan of Reinbacher, that being said no way he has better skating than ASP. ASP skating is elite.

Read above.

Thats exciting. Lots of talent.

 

[Schooner Guy]

I wouldn’t take Michkov is we are picking 1st or 2nd, but assuming we’re not I’m on board.

yeah if we draft 5-6-7 you pick him no questions asked.

I still pick Fantilli or Carlsson at 2 before him however.

1 is a no brained this year.

100%. Even without the Russian factor, I'm taking Bedard at #1 and Fantilli at #2.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

100%. Even without the Russian factor, I'm taking Bedard at #1 and Fantilli at #2.

If Michkov was American ala Galchenyuk he’s a top 2 pick in this draft all day. But considering the Russian factor, Fantilli and Carlsson are just too good themselves to not go ahead of him. But I think he’s clearly 4th on my board and if he falls to 5/6/7, he’s an easy pick considering how deep we are with young talent already.

 

[Schooner Guy]

If Michkov was American ala Galchenyuk he’s a top 2 pick in this draft all day. But considering the Russian factor, Fantilli and Carlsson are just too good themselves to not go ahead of him. But I think he’s clearly 4th on my board and if he falls to 5/6/7, he’s an easy pick considering how deep we are with young talent already.

I still take Fantilli at #2 even if Michkov was North American. Remarkable NCAA freshman season and I see his projection in 5 years as sky high...maybe one of the best centers in the NHL in 5 years. Such a great skater with skills, size, sandpaper and production.

The debate for me would begin at #3 between Michkov and Carlsson. I'd probably take Michkov because of his elite offensive talent. The only knock would be his size.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I don't normally follow it, but I have time to watch this year, but that seems like a more intriguing team than normal ?

 

[NotProkofievian]

Especially CrIstall, he'll have the opportunity to alleviate alot of the concerns people have with his game if he can show he can produce against other countries top prospects.

With Cristall, I expect people to not be convinced unless he beats Kucherov's record.

 

[Mrb1p]

I still take Fantilli at #2 even if Michkov was North American. Remarkable NCAA freshman season and I see his projection in 5 years as sky high...maybe one of the best centers in the NHL in 5 years. Such a great skater with skills, size, sandpaper and production.

The debate for me would begin at #3 between Michkov and Carlsson. I'd probably take Michkov because of his elite offensive talent. The only knock would be his size.

Probably because you've never watched Michkov.

If you take Fantili above Michkov, there's no reasons to take Bedard ahead of Fantilli, both are tied and very similar players.

I think you just have some kind of repressed russophobia from your early life and the red scare, it's fine, just gotta realize it.

Especially CrIstall, he'll have the opportunity to alleviate alot of the concerns people have with his game if he can show he can produce against other countries top prospects.

He had 6 points in 5 games at the Hlinka.

 

[NotProkofievian]

He's Quinn Hughes smooth with his edges and his puck handling compliments that really, really well but have you ever seen him burst by a player with speed ? He glides a lot and he retains speed with his pivot, kind of like Smith, but he's not fast. Reinbacher is smooth and has insane power in his stride, he gets up ice in four, five strides because he has great length and power.

Quinn Hughes is also an elite skater. I have seen him turn the corner on guys even in the SHL, which is really uncommon for a 17 year old.

 

[Mrb1p]

Quinn Hughes is also an elite skater. I have seen him turn the corner on guys even in the SHL, which is really uncommon for a 17 year old.

Quinn Hughes is probably a top 5 skater because he blends speed and agility, I don't see the first one in ASP. Its not like Reinbacher isn't elite himself as a skater.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Quinn Hughes is probably a top 5 skater because he blends speed and agility, I don't see the first one in ASP. Its not like Reinbacher isn't elite himself as a skater.

Reinbacher is a fantastic skater, yes.

 

[Nedved]

There is no chance ASP is a #1D.

Where are you viewings from Reinbacher? Its not in line with his tools or his play. He is a top pair D in Kloten right now, in a top 5-6 league in the world.

He has a better shot, better playmaking, better skating, better defense, much better size and physicality than ASP. Aside from hands, which are great, ASP doesnt have one elite trait.

Sometimes I stream their games when I got nothing else going on. I just don't see high IQ in the defensive zone. I do like his puck movement, but his game seems simple to me. maybe that's a good thing.

I just think ASP's IQ is extremely high and I really value that in a Dman. I disagree about the skating and passing, ASP's edge work is incredible and he uses it to open up the ice to make passes that create space for players. I think his game will translate well to the nhl.

Anyway, I don't think there are any surefire #1 dman in this draft. I just like ASP's ceiling and I like Reinbacher's floor. I wouldn't pick either inside the top 10. I think it's just as likely Simashev Lindstein Gulyayev are the top d from the draft. There's no Dahlin, Hedman, Makar for me in this draft.

 

[WeThreeKings]

ASP's stock has been trending down since the WJC's and for good reason.

I wouldn't take him inside the top 10.. and luckily, I don't think the Habs would be interested either.

ASP is a classic case of a small-ish defenseman with great skating, and across the board average to above average skills, that will end up having to adapt their defensive game in the NHL since they lack a high-end offensive tool to be a PP1 at the NHL level.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I'm 100% confident they will select a forward with 5, 6 or 7. Benson, Smith and Leonard are all prospects that scouts like to watch. Hughes know Smith and Hughes maybe want his "Cooley" this year. Slafkovsky is a great pick, but Cooley prove that he is going to be a really really good player aswell. Smith have same type of talent. Benson is a hard worker who fit perfectly on Habs new mentality, who cares about size... everyone will be happy with Bedard and he is small. Habs can always trade Mesar//Farrell to make place for a player like Zach Benson, who he is much better prospect than Mesar and Farrell. Benson and Smith are star forward potential and you tell me that scouts will go in other direction and select Reinbacher? That would be very bad. No because isn't good, just because, Reinbacher he is more in 8-12 range. 5-7, it's Benson, Smith and Leonard/Yager 100%.

It's a forward draft, not a defense draft...

 

[Mrb1p]

LOL! You said you're 30 today but you act like you're 3. No wonder so many posters call you out for being a dick. I don't think you're that bad of a guy. I just think you desperately need to get laid.

I have watched Michkov in the same tournaments you watched him in. He's terrific and ranking him #3 in this top 4 is an endorsement. I just think Fantilli projects to be a better NHL player in 5 years. Better all around game and he's almost half a foot taller. I'm far from alone in this assessment.

Youre not wrong, Im one horny mf. I don't mean it as disrespect, biases that come from society are hard to recognize and it's not like russophobia is a well known subject like homophobia and others.

Im just saying, Bedard and Michkov have been linked for years now, theyre both similar players and will have a similar impact in the NHL. Why would you rank Bedard ahead of Fantilli but not Michkov if youre not considering the Ukraine factor ?

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'm 100% confident they will select a forward with 5, 6 or 7. Benson, Smith and Leonard are all prospects that scouts like to watch. Hughes know Smith and Hughes maybe want his "Cooley" this year. Slafkovsky is a great pick, but Cooley prove that he is going to be a really really good player aswell. Smith have same type of talent. Benson is a hard worker who fit perfectly on Habs new mentality, who cares about size... everyone will be happy with Bedard and he is small. Habs can always trade Mesar//Farrell to make place for a player like Zach Benson, who he is much better prospect than Mesar and Farrell. Benson and Smith are star forward potential and you tell me that scouts will go in other direction and select Reinbacher? That would be very bad. No because isn't good, just because, Reinbacher he is more in 8-12 range. 5-7, it's Benson, Smith and Leonard/Yager 100%.

It's a forward draft, not a defense draft...

Reinbacher is, and should be, in the discussion for the Habs.

If they have concerns about the longevity of Benson and his style in the NHL and/or concerns about Smith's defensive game and compete.. there's nothing wrong with getting a toolsy, RHD with size who can skate.

I'm with you, I'm prioritizing those forwards but Reinbacher is in the convo for the Habs and very well may end up our selection.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I think one interesting point of discussion we should be having is..

Anaheim is getting Bedard, Fantilli or Carlsson. They're at 1.

So Columbus, Chicago, San Jose.. what do those teams do if they are picking outside the top 3 but ahead of us?

Anyone behind us winning the lotto just takes Fantilli, Carlsson or Bedard at 1 or 2.

CBJ took Jiricek last year, the year before they took Kent Johnson. I'd say that they'd be looking at Michkov/Benson.
Chicago took Korchinski and Nazar last year. I think they'd be interest in Michkov, Reinbacher or Smith.
San Jose took Eklund 2 years ago and Bystedt last year. I think the full suite of Michkov, Reinbacher, Smith or Benson is on the table for them.

 

[Mrb1p]

Sometimes I stream their games when I got nothing else going on. I just don't see high IQ in the defensive zone. I do like his puck movement, but his game seems simple to me. maybe that's a good thing.

I just think ASP's IQ is extremely high and I really value that in a Dman. I disagree about the skating and passing, ASP's edge work is incredible and he uses it to open up the ice to make passes that create space for players. I think his game will translate well to the nhl.

Anyway, I don't think there are any surefire #1 dman in this draft. I just like ASP's ceiling and I like Reinbacher's floor. I wouldn't pick either inside the top 10. I think it's just as likely Simashev Lindstein Gulyayev are the top d from the draft. There's no Dahlin, Hedman, Makar for me in this draft.

Its funny because I see ASP as a guy thats a pretty sure bet to be a 2nd-3rd pairing guy but has almost no chance at being a top pair D, unless of course there's some insane development curve shenanigans. I mean his skating is a strength for sure, but I wouldn't say it's elite. His vision is good, but I wouldn't say it's elite. His hands and puck handling are 100% elite though, as I said. Reinbacher does somewhat play a simple game, I guess ? I don't know, he gets puck on net, he makes great passes. When I see Reinbacher I see a classic defenseman that produces in ways a defender does in the NHL. He's in the same offensive mold as Hedman, Weber, heck even Karlsson produces in similar ways, for like half his points (Which would be 1st pair production, lol.)

Getting pucks on net is such an underrated skill it seems, being able to score is an even better one.

I really have to disagree though, when you look at tools and the way they execute and produce, how can you say Reinbacher doesn't have the 1D potential ? He outproduced a 20 YO JJ Moser who just had a 30 points season with no PP time on the Coyotes, his offense is there, his tools are there and to top it all off, he's a need.

Of course, he's not a surefire #1 and no one is, but he's the best shot at a number 1 in this draft and he's just as good a shot as probably any D since Power, he's in a tier below Byram, Power and Dahlin but he's in that tier, and firmly. I wouldn't go to bat for ASP, Simashev or anyone else, personally.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I still take Fantilli at #2 even if Michkov was North American. Remarkable NCAA freshman season and I see his projection in 5 years as sky high...maybe one of the best centers in the NHL in 5 years. Such a great skater with skills, size, sandpaper and production.

The debate for me would begin at #3 between Michkov and Carlsson. I'd probably take Michkov because of his elite offensive talent. The only knock would be his size.

I get that, it’s a bit of an apples to oranges comparison, Fantilli is a big center man with elite tools who just had a historic season winning the Hobey Baker as a draft eligible. He’d be a #1 overall pick most years, I’m sure plenty of teams would take him at 2.

Michkov is less toolsy (from a size/speed standpoint), but the shot/hands/playmaking makes him a potentially elite offensive winger. Like a 100 plus points a year type.