HF Habs: 2023 World U18 Men's Hockey Championship: Finals Sunday, April 30 | Canada wins Bronze, 4-3 (OT) | USA wins Gold, 3-2 (OT), Sweden Silver

[AHShadow]

Really happy to see Dvorsky perform at the U18s. Led his team, showed a few 1-on-1 moves against a strong US team and scored plenty of goals.

At 5, I'm still going with Michkov > Smith > Benson > Reinbacher, but feeling a lot more comfortable going with Dvorsky if ever we go that route.

We're definitely getting a hell of a player at 5-6.

 

[NotProkofievian]

He's not a no draft, but he didn't have nearly enough of an impact to be in the conversation for the top 7.

At 17th he could be in the conversation, but there'll be a lot of safer and more projectable guys there that could have similar ceilings to Cristall.

He's obviously not a guy you take top 7, granted. Safer and more projectable prospects exist, also granted. Higher ceiling guys? At 17? Name one.

 

[Goldenhands]

Lol, now Wood is a late first after leading his NCAA team in scoring and posting a better U18 PPG than Jonathan Toews.

I wouldnt pick him top 25.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I wouldnt pick him top 25.

Ridiculous.

 

[Goldenhands]

Ridiculous.

I can list you 24 players I would pick over him if you wish. Skating is just that bad and the compete pretty average.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I can list you 24 players I would pick over him if you wish. Skating is just that bad and the compete pretty average.

You can rank him wherever you like, his resume speaks for itself.

 

[BergevinBurner]

He's obviously not a guy you take top 7, granted. Safer and more projectable prospects exist, also granted. Higher ceiling guys? At 17? Name one.

I said similar ceilings, not higher ceilings.

If everything goes right for Cristall then I could see him being a solid complementary piece for a top 6. I could see guys like Barlow, Wood, Perrault, But, etc.... all also have that upside. I don't think any of them will turn into elite/game breaking players though.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I had similar ceilings, not higher ceilings.

If everything goes right for Cristall then I could see him being a solid complementary piece for a top 6. I could see guys like Barlow, Wood, Perrault, But, etc.... all also have that upside. I don't think any of them will turn into elite/game breaking players though.

The only one here that I think is accurate is Wood, but that's also because I think he has a really high ceiliing. But is just way off the mark, I do not get how anyone wants to spend a pick on this guy.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Final two games are set.

The two undefeated teams face each other in the Gold Medal game: USA vs Sweden.

Canada and Slovakia for Bronze.

Games are tomorrow (Sunday, April 30th):

9am: Canada vs Slovakia
1 pm: Sweden vs USA

Both games are on TSN3.

 

[SOLR]

Highest rated player on both teams, thus the supposed offensive leaders of the clubs.

You mean highest rated player at the draft?

I think those are Wood and Ritchie, not Barlow.

But Canada's best player should be Celebrini and he was.

 

[BergevinBurner]

The only one here that I think is accurate is Wood, but that's also because I think he has a really high ceiliing. But is just way off the mark, I do not get how anyone wants to spend a pick on this guy.

I'd be leaning Wood because I don't see his "bust" risk nearly as high. If Cristall doesn't pan out into a bonified top 6 NHL talent then there's a strong chance he'll be a career AHLer, I don't see a guy with his skillset being effect in the bottom 6. Whereas with Wood, even if his skating does ultimately hold him back a bit, I'd be shocked if he doesn't carve out a 3rd/4th line spot at worst.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I'd be leaning Wood because I don't see his "bust" risk nearly as high. If Cristall doesn't pan out into a bonified top 6 NHL talent then there's a strong chance he'll be a career AHLer, I don't see a guy with his skillset being effect in the bottom 6. Whereas with Wood, even if his skating does ultimately hold him back a bit, I'd be shocked if he doesn't carve out a 3rd/4th line spot at worst.

I also have Wood higher than Cristall, for similar reasons. I also think his ceiling might be higher.

 

[BergevinBurner]

I also have Wood higher than Cristall, for similar reasons. I also think his ceiling might be higher.

I misread "But is just way off the mark" as "But this is just way off the mark". I thought you were referencing Wood and didn't notice you were talking about But.

I'd agree if everything pans out for Cristall he'll be a much more dangerous player offensively than But, but But (sorry for the But spam) could be quite the force if he develops well.

 

[FrankMTL]

So who has been more impressive for you guys, Eiserman or Celebrini?

 

[NotProkofievian]

So who has been more impressive for you guys, Eiserman or Celebrini?

That's a tough one. Pretty neck and neck, but I like Eiserman a little bit more.

 

[Mrb1p]

It wasn't long ago that @Mrb1p debated with me that a team was going to steal Allen in the 20's and that he has elite skillset. Oh well...we all have our moments. I thought Drouin would be a star playmaker after watching him a lot during his draft year and as a 16 year old.

Allen has nothing. He doesn't provide offensive, his footwork is brutal and can't even open up a shooting lane, his IQ and positioning are brutal. He misses coverage. He simply filled out before his peers and outmuscled them on his way to the OHL.

Way to twist my words lmao, Ive never once had Allen in my top 30 since the season started.

The WJC knee jerks, nothing I love more than that.

 

[WinterLion]

I think my best comparable for Dvorsky will show my age, Anton Stastny. I wish he was Peter, but he'd be ranked 1.

You're old.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

That's a tough one. Pretty neck and neck, but I like Eiserman a little bit more.

Bit more power to his game. Absolutely attacks the net. Has quite a shooting arsenal. Good size. Good skating. A lot there to like.

Celebrini was #1 center for Canada though. He was Canada's best player, ainec.

It's a really close race for 2024. I imagine Celebrini makes Canada's WJC team & Eiserman USA's. I can't see how they don't if healthy.

 

[SOLR]

You're old.

Crusty

 

[Jack Skellington]

Eiserman is a puck magnet around the net like I’ve never seen before. Some guys just have that uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Barlows an option at 17, Dvorsky at 5. They aren’t really comparable.

You mean highest rated player at the draft?

I think those are Wood and Ritchie, not Barlow.

But Canada's best player should be Celebrini and he was.

I don't have Barlow anywhere near the top 10 or the highest rated Canadian, but he was sitting in the top 10 of a few mid term rankings.

Thus the comparison.

 

[Whitesnake]

I see Smith a tier above everyone else you mentioned.

Reason why he'll leave at 4.

 

[Doublechin]

He's obviously not a guy you take top 7, granted. Safer and more projectable prospects exist, also granted. Higher ceiling guys? At 17? Name one.

Wood, Perreault that might be available within that range

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

So many nice options between 5-7, the only player that I really don't want who people are rating in that range is Benson.....I would take Perreault over him without a second thought tbh.

 

[Nedved]

So who has been more impressive for you guys, Eiserman or Celebrini?

Eiserman. He seems to have "it" skating around the ice.