2023 NHL Entry Draft

[Cubebrick]

Havent caught a Shattuck game in a while, might have a look.
They have a kid named Zellers ? How f***ed is that lmao

Yeah he's an '06 lol. And he's looks SO small on the ice

 

[Mrb1p]

Yeah he's an '06 lol. And he's looks SO small on the ice

Anything good on their roster ? Anderson?

 

[Cubebrick]

Anything good on their roster ? Anderson?

He's got a good set of offensive skills. Soft mitts and a fast wrister with a quick release. Can both set up plays or snipe it.

He didn't strike me as a speedster when I watched the games but I'd say that his overall skating is fine. So his is pace in the o-zone. He's got decent edges and good first steps. But I find that he doesn't move his feet all that much.

Cheats a bit offensively (it's Prep school), does seem to have a decent defensive mind (he's trying at least) but has an inconsistent overall game from shift to shift. He's either out there making a difference or he's straight up invisible. Also he's not physical whatsoever.

Not a fan personally but he's got interesting tools, so maybe a long shot in the mid to late rounds?

I like Aidan Park more from that I've seen. He was Anderson's C in the games that I watched and while his offense isn't as exciting, though still effective, he plays a much more mature overall game in my opinion despite being a year younger.

That's out of 3 games, mind you. SSM has not been that much of a focal point for me this season lol

 

[ReHabs]

Who has Smith over Benson, and why?

 

[Mister Hab]

These are the player comparisons that Pronman used for these guys

Reinbacher : Pesce
Smith : Kuznetsov
Benson : Marchessault
Dvorsky : Strome
Leonard : Lehkonen
Yager :Konecny
Moore : Newhook

Certainly not a consensus here but he has Danielson @5, But @8, Honzek @10

Thanks for the great info (comparisons by Pronman).
Very interesting. Can't wait for May 8!!
Cheers!

 

[WeThreeKings]

Anyone have any early predictions of who's gonna have a standout performance at the U18s?

I have a feeling Barlow's going to have a strong tournament.

Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, Carson Bjarnason, Dalibor Dvorsky

Guys who have a chance to really punch their stocks to the moon.

I’ve heard people compare Benson to Marner. Please tell me Benson has more grit and grind to his game then Marner…

Without a doubt.

 

[FrankMTL]

Anyone have any early predictions of who's gonna have a standout performance at the U18s?

I have a feeling Barlow's going to have a strong tournament.

It wouldn't surprise me either as he looks 10 years older than most of the other players.

 

[RandomTask26]

Benson sets up the OT winner on the PP. Series 2-2.

Yager/Firkus had the better of Savoie/Benson the majority of the night. Savoie mostly invisible, Benson a bit of a mixed bag. Firkus was the best player on the ice and Yager handled his shutdown role well.

Both Benson and Yager had their chances to pot 1-2 each. Benson was stoned on a breakaway and hit a crossbar. Yager also hit a crossbar and missed a couple clear chances from the slot. Not the most open game ever, but both showed why they're ranked where they are.

Stats-wise it seems like Firkus is a better offensive player than Yager. Does it seem like that when watching the games? Makes it hard to pick Yager super high considering Firkus was a 2nd round pick (though it can be argued he should’ve gone higher)

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Wilde was on tsn680 and actually said he's heard from his sources that management aren't lookingbto draft a small forward like Michkov or Benson...

I don't think they'll be giving many clues before draft day, so we'll have to wait until June 28th to see who they like, just like with Slaf..

Much job has a ton of question marks around him so I get it. But Benson?? Kids literally another Marner. We can use that

 

[MasterMatt25]

Stats-wise it seems like Firkus is a better offensive player than Yager. Does it seem like that when watching the games? Makes it hard to pick Yager super high considering Firkus was a 2nd round pick (though it can be argued he should’ve gone higher)

Yager production fell and game wise hasn't been as strong the last couple of months so it's hard to pump him up at the moment

Firkus was definitely a borderline first last year, but he's also a year older so him looking better isn't too surprising

Much job has a ton of question marks around him so I get it. But Benson?? Kids literally another Marner. We can use that

Bro I'd kill to have Marner on the team. Immediately the best offensive player we've had in decades

 

[SOLR]

What are you even arguing ? That Guhle is not fast ? Wtf lol.

Sometimes you have such good arguments and other times you just dig your heels in and look like a friggin fool, like right now. Guhle is just flat out fast. He can move.


Guhle is faster than Yager.

Benson is like a high end Zuccarello more than a Marner. He definitely does have grit and grind in his game.

Can you read?

You guys keep throwing insults, but you are not even addressing what makes a team a fast team and how Yager could contribute to that, because our forward group is dead slow (my argument).

Mobility per shift (meters over 1 min). Guhle is probably 2 tiers behind Dahlin and Makar. Yes Guhle is fast in a straight line, I've never said the contrary (he would still lose to McDavid/Barzal in a pure speed situation unlike Dahlin and Makar). But that's not just what "fast" is. Fast is also being able to move fast laterally, to change direction fluidly, not being caught flat-footed, to catch the D with an acceleration, all spaces where Guhle quite frankly can struggle at times. It's also about being able to sustain speed for the whole shift, Guhle is faster for 25-30 seconds of every shift, but he doesn't have the skating efficiency to have a burst of speed 1 minute in.

Hutson will be "faster" than Guhle, it's an easy thing to say, why? The case where the player advance in a straight line is only valuable if it creates game situation advantages and for Guhle this is surrounded by a few slight weaknesses caused by a lack of agility and IQ, diminishing the overall effect of his mobility potential.

And then you go on comparing Guhle to Yager, comparing an orange(a defensive player) to an apple (an offensive player). First, I wasn't comparing Guhle to Yager (!!!) you did that.

I said, if your top speed players are Guhle and Caufield it means you don't have a guy like Barzal or McDavid, therefore, you might value the speed of Yager to make your team faster and not just be talking about Caufield as a "fast" player (he's not, play Savoie there and nobody would be talking about Caufield being fast). I don't remember the last time Caufield went around a D, he tends to have momentum on the outlay pass and shoot before going around the D because he can't (and his shot is elite).

 

[MonkeyBusiness]

Benson is like a high end Zuccarello more than a Marner. He definitely does have grit and grind in his game.

This comparison is spot on. You have a knack for this stuff.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Stenberg with a nice deflection goal.

 

[Michoulicious]

I’ve heard people compare Benson to Marner. Please tell me Benson has more grit and grind to his game then Marner…

He does, but Marner is an incredible player. I'd say Benson has more "grind", but Marner's ability to steal pucks on the forecheck is unmatched and he's a better, faster skater. Benson has the tools to do the same, but lacks the skating.

Marner has incredible vision, IQ, hands as well. Don't think Benson is at that level.

Let's just say Marner is Benson ultimate ceiling if he can improve his skating/speed.

 

[Michoulicious]

Who has Smith over Benson, and why?

3 inches taller, better vision, shot, hands. Zegras-like ceiling, bust potential higher. Put him with quality, puck retrieving players like Leonard and he'll thrive IMO.

Benson works harder, better floor. But he's really small and not that fast. Point-like ceiling.

 

[Vachon23]

I write it in the U18 thread, but David Edstrom could be a nice grab in the middle round. Like his combo of size/skills

 

[le_sean]

The oncologist comparison is entirely devoid of even the slightest modicum of rational expression.

I actually feel bad for you now tbh and I hope that my comments didn't upset you too much.

I’m perfectly fine. You should feel bad for the guy that can’t handle that non-sporty people might know more about sports than him and are more successful.

 

[Vachon23]

3 inches taller, better vision, shot, hands. Zegras-like ceiling, bust potential higher. Put him with quality, puck retrieving players like Leonard and he'll thrive IMO.

Benson works harder, better floor. But he's really small and not that fast. Point-like ceiling.

Not sure is agree with the better vision. Benson hockey IQ is at high level

 

[Mrb1p]

Can you read?

You guys keep throwing insults, but you are not even addressing what makes a team a fast team and how Yager could contribute to that, because our forward group is dead slow (my argument).

Mobility per shift (meters over 1 min). Guhle is probably 2 tiers behind Dahlin and Makar. Yes Guhle is fast in a straight line, I've never said the contrary (he would still lose to McDavid/Barzal in a pure speed situation unlike Dahlin and Makar). But that's not just what "fast" is. Fast is also being able to move fast laterally, to change direction fluidly, not being caught flat-footed, to catch the D with an acceleration, all spaces where Guhle quite frankly can struggle at times. It's also about being able to sustain speed for the whole shift, Guhle is faster for 25-30 seconds of every shift, but he doesn't have the skating efficiency to have a burst of speed 1 minute in.

Hutson will be "faster" than Guhle, it's an easy thing to say, why? The case where the player advance in a straight line is only valuable if it creates game situation advantages and for Guhle this is surrounded by a few slight weaknesses caused by a lack of agility and IQ, diminishing the overall effect of his mobility potential.

And then you go on comparing Guhle to Yager, comparing an orange(a defensive player) to an apple (an offensive player). First, I wasn't comparing Guhle to Yager (!!!) you did that.

I said, if your top speed players are Guhle and Caufield it means you don't have a guy like Barzal or McDavid, therefore, you might value the speed of Yager to make your team faster and not just be talking about Caufield as a "fast" player (he's not, play Savoie there and nobody would be talking about Caufield being fast). I don't remember the last time Caufield went around a D, he tends to have momentum on the outlay pass and shoot before going around the D because he can't (and his shot is elite).

I can read just fine.

Guhle is a fast skater and hes not a "low standard for speed."

thats what you said.

He does, but Marner is an incredible player. I'd say Benson has more "grind", but Marner's ability to steal pucks on the forecheck is unmatched and he's a better, faster skater. Benson has the tools to do the same, but lacks the skating.

Marner has incredible vision, IQ, hands as well. Don't think Benson is at that level.

Let's just say Marner is Benson ultimate ceiling if he can improve his skating/speed.

Benson is 100% in a similar tier when it comes to IQ, vision and hands. Marner has better skating, Benson has a better motor.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Benson is nothing like Marner. He doesn't control the puck like Marner. He doesn't casually beat people like Marner. He doesn't steal pucks like Marner did. He doesn't have his passing skills or vision either. He doesn't skate like Marner did either. Marner was a much better overall skater, and has improved everything with greater strength. His only real weakness coming in was a weak shot, which he's also improved.

 

[KevSkillz4]

The best comparison for Zach Benson is a more offensive minded than Travis Konecny. Konecny is a high offensive player with hard working in his game. Benson and Leonard have same qualities than Konecny, but they are both more offensive minded than him.

 

[ReHabs]

Benson is nothing like Marner. He doesn't control the puck like Marner. He doesn't casually beat people like Marner. He doesn't steal pucks like Marner did. He doesn't have his passing skills or vision either. He doesn't skate like Marner did either. Marner was a much better overall skater, and has improved everything with greater strength. His only real weakness coming in was a weak shot, which he's also improved.

Wow. Rough...


...


...BensonBoys did we get too cocky?

 

[ginomini]

The best comparison for Zach Benson is a more offensive minded than Travis Konecny. Konecny is a high offensive player with hard working in his game. Benson and Leonard have same qualities than Konecny, but they are both more offensive minded than him.

Pretty much, I think Zuccarelo fits better, but yeah.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I write it in the U18 thread, but David Edstrom could be a nice grab in the middle round. Like his combo of size/skills

Highly doubt he lasts until the 4th.

Habs should grab him, or Wahlberg if they can get a late 2nd, or early 3rd. Even then that might be too late for Edstrom

 

[ReHabs]

3 inches taller, better vision, shot, hands. Zegras-like ceiling, bust potential higher. Put him with quality, puck retrieving players like Leonard and he'll thrive IMO.

Benson works harder, better floor. But he's really small and not that fast. Point-like ceiling.

If you're swinging for the upside, I think I'm leaning on Benson here.

I can't in good conscience sign-off on drafting someone called Will Smith.