2023 NHL Entry Draft

[An0n]

Hopefully not us. Really haven't liked his game for awhile. Perimeter volume shooter.

This year’s Joakim Kemell?

 

[SOLR]

This year’s Joakim Kemell?

No, he's more a power forward. Rantanen without the hands or IQ

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

Don’t really see any way we’re able to get our way into the bottom 5 this year. Really unfortunate.

6 games in we're already last in our division its very possible i was expecting some wins in the beginning with the new season and all but our def/goalie is bad and our offense aint much aside from Suzuki and Caufield im sure will be a bottom team then its about getting lucky with the lottery we need a top 4 pick

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

 

[Playmaker09]

Yeah whenever I watch Stramel, I get the same feeling than when I watch Anderson as in you like the idea of what he could be much more than the actual player that he is. And Wood, while obviously gifted, is such an ugly skater who has no mobility whatsoever. The rest of his game is solid though.

I feel like Will Smith isn't nearly talked enough as a potential top 10 pick. His skillset is just nuts.

Will Smith is passing the eye test and has the production to match. PPG in D-1 and 2 PPG in DY is very good company. By far the best USNTDP start since Hughes.

He's way more interesting than Stramel or Ritchie in the top 10.

 

[SOLR]

Will Smith is passing the eye test and has the production to match. PPG in D-1 and 2 PPG in DY is very good company. By far the best USNTDP start since Hughes.

He's way more interesting than Stramel or Ritchie in the top 10.

Not sure why you are talking about Ritchie there. But yeah, he looks like the best American right now. Stramel is not too far because you don't draft him for the same reasons.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Don’t really see any way we’re able to get our way into the bottom 5 this year. Really unfortunate.

Based on how they've played so far (not just results), they're trending to be in the bottom 5. The have the 3rd worst xGF% in the league and are the 6th worst 5v5 xGF%. The Atlantic is also brutally tough this year.

 

[Playmaker09]

Not sure why you are talking about Ritchie there. But yeah, he looks like the best American right now. Stramel is not too far because you don't draft him for the same reasons.

Because this is the 2023 NHL Entry Draft thread? And we're talking about potential top 10 picks, of which I don't think Ritchie belongs in as exciting a class as this, yet is consitently rated in that range?

 

[SOLR]

Because this is the 2023 NHL Entry Draft thread? And we're talking about potential top 10 picks, of which I don't think Ritchie belongs in as exciting a class as this, yet is consitently rated in that range?

I meant how is Ritchie in this group? He's easily a top 12. Smith and Stramel are more top 20s, they are not in the same tier.

 

[Playmaker09]

I meant how is Ritchie in this group? He's easily a top 12. Smith and Stramel are more top 20s, they are not in the same tier.

I'm saying I think Smith is better, and that I disagree Ritchie belongs in that group.

Despite the puck luck, he was clearly multiple steps below Yager/Benson at the Hlinka. His start to the season so far continues to point to that as well.

 

[TheGr8Cornholio]

I'm saying I think Smith is better, and that I disagree Ritchie belongs in that group.

Despite the puck luck, he was clearly multiple steps below Yager/Benson at the Hlinka. His start to the season so far continues to point to that as well.

True, Benson and Yager were better and Callum had lots of puck luck at the Hlinka. But the size and speed at that age is really interesting, especially for a centerman. He doesn’t do much mistakes, seems reliable defensively. He’s not a slouch offensively, he has a good shot and hands. He’s a lock for top 10 imo. I agree with you that Smith might not be in a tier with Stramel, who never impressed me in my viewings.

 

[Playmaker09]

True, Benson and Yager were better and Callum had lots of puck luck at the Hlinka. But the size and speed at that age is really interesting, especially for a centerman. He doesn’t do much mistakes, seems reliable defensively. He’s not a slouch offensively, he has a good shot and hands. He’s a lock for top 10 imo. I agree with you that Smith might not be in a tier with Stramel, who never impressed me in my viewings.

I'm sure he will, this is the NHL after all, where Cutter Gauthier goes 5th overall.

But especially this year, there's a lot more upside available. I wouldn't take him before:

Bedard
Michkov
Carlsson
Fantilli
Yager

Benson
Sale
Dvorsky
Smith
Barlow

That's 10 already, and I've seen little of Stenberg. I think Heidt and Cristall are underrated as well.

 

[TheGr8Cornholio]

I'm sure he will, this is the NHL after all, where Cutter Gauthier goes 5th overall.

But especially this year, there's a lot more upside available. I wouldn't take him before:

Bedard
Michkov
Carlsson
Fantilli
Yager

Benson
Sale
Dvorsky
Smith
Barlow

That's 10 already, and I've seen little of Stenberg. I think Heidt and Cristall are underrated as well

That top 5 is crazy! I don’t see one of them dropping out of the top5 (not even Michkov with the Russian factor).

Benson with his size and skating might fall outside the top 10. I really love the player tho, Perfetti vibes.

Smith and Barlow are climbing up the rankings and rightfully so. But I still have Ritchie over them. Smith is REALLY interesting.

Dvorsky is one that I expect more from. I don’t like his intensity and work ethic. Elite hands and one timer. I also have Callum over him.

 

[HabzSauce]

Florida has looked very vulnerable this season. I've seen two of their games and they are not close to being the same caliber of team as last season. They're definitely missing Huberdeau on the PP as it has looked stagnant. Barkov can't do it all by himself. With that being said, I think the best we can hope is a top 15 pick out of them, and it probably won't be in the top 10 (barring a lottery win).

Meh for me everytime I watch them their offence still looks very potent.

Idk how they are surviving with that trash D core though. Hopefully the losses start piling up

 

[NotProkofievian]

Another guy who will get consideration in the top 10/15 is Halttunen

He's ranked top-20 by just about everyone and is off to a good start in Finland

He was near the top of my list coming into the season, but has dropped like a stone. Not what I expected of him.

 

[BenchBrawl]

I HATE the fact that the current brass seems hesitant about drafting Russians when the best player in the draft is a Russian.

Michkov should be our guy if available wherever we pick.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

I'm saying I think Smith is better, and that I disagree Ritchie belongs in that group.

Despite the puck luck, he was clearly multiple steps below Yager/Benson at the Hlinka. His start to the season so far continues to point to that as well.

What's wrong with his start to season?

He's ppg in OHL at 17. He leads his team in almost all offensive categories and he's +6 on a shitty team.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I HATE the fact that the current brass seems hesitant about drafting Russians when the best player in the draft is a Russian.

Michkov should be our guy if available wherever we pick.

The best player in this draft is Canadian and it's Connor Bedard without of doubt.

 

[BenchBrawl]

The best player in this draft is Canadian and it's Connor Bedard without of doubt.

Without a doubt? Michkov looks smarter and just as impressive a goalscorer.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Without a doubt? Michkov looks smarter and just as impressive a goalscorer.

He is amazing too, but Bedard is the best prospect since McDavid right there.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Safe to say there's a clear cut top 4 right now?

 

[SOLR]

Safe to say there's a clear cut top 4 right now?

Clear cut top 2 - Bedard, Michkov
Clear cut top 4 - Bedard, Michkov, Carlsson, Fantilli
Clear cut top 5 - Bedard, Michkov, Carlsson, Fantilli, Yager
Clear cut top 8 - Bedard, Michkov, Carlsson, Fantilli, Yager, Dvorsky, Sale, Allen

*draft value, not draft order

 

[Playmaker09]

What's wrong with his start to season?

He's ppg in OHL at 17. He leads his team in almost all offensive categories and he's +6 on a shitty team.

Nothing really. It's just not remarkable enough either way for me to change my opinion on him 9 games into the season. I guess I didn't make that clear.

I'm not trying to shit on him, he's a good player, I'm just saying this is not 2018 where KK and Barrett Hayton go top 5 just because they're big Cs.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Safe to say there's a clear cut top 4 right now?

Bedard, Carlsson, Fantilli & Michkov are destroying their leagues, so yeah, that's the top 4. Yager seems to be the agreed upon #5.

6+ is where it starts to get more difficult. A lot of different players with similar results in different leagues. Comparisons become more difficult.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Nothing really. It's just not remarkable enough either way for me to change my opinion on him 9 games into the season. I guess I didn't make that clear.

I'm not trying to shit on him, he's a good player, I'm just saying this is not 2018 where KK and Barrett Hayton go top 5 just because they're big Cs.

He's way better than Hayton, who I disliked & who was hugely over-rated. SSM had a really good team when he played with them.

Ritchie outplayed Wright in their playoffs series last spring between Oshawa/Kingston. Ritchie was outstanding, and showed a ton of drive & high level skill. It was a seriously impressive performance. Had 4g, 3a in 6 gp, I believe.