C Leo Carlsson (2023, 2nd, ANA)

[CBJx614]

How would you react if Kekäläinen and co. Went with Smith instead?

Lose my absolute shit.

Not as much as a Babcock hire but still lose my shit.

Hell I'd lose my shit if Anaheim took Carlsson and we had to "settle" for Fantilli.


Yes Fantilli is still going to be one of the best prospects in Jackets history... But I'm completely sold on Carlsson.

 

[EK47]

Lose my absolute shit.

Not as much as a Babcock hire but still lose my shit.

Hell I'd lose my shit if Anaheim took Carlsson and we had to "settle" for Fantilli.


Yes Fantilli is still going to be one of the best prospects in Jackets history... But I'm completely sold on Carlsson.

Unfortunately your GM is a Finn because I was originally planning on watching the draft just because I wanted to hear some poor GM completely butcher Örebro. That seriously has to be one of the hardest normal swedish words for an native english speaker with little to no knowledge of swedish to pronounce.

 

[CBJx614]

Unfortunately your GM is a Finn because I was originally planning on watching the draft just because I wanted to hear some poor GM completely butcher Örebro. That seriously has to be one of the hardest normal swedish words for an native english speaker with little to no knowledge of swedish to pronounce.

Well Jarmo doesn't actually announce a lot of our picks, however you're still shit outta luck because the guy who does, Ville Siren is also a Finn

 

[EK47]

Well Jarmo doesn't actually announce a lot of our picks, however you're still shit outta luck because the guy who does, Ville Siren is also a Finn

Damn..

 

[Michoulicious]

Lose my absolute shit.

Not as much as a Babcock hire but still lose my shit.

Hell I'd lose my shit if Anaheim took Carlsson and we had to "settle" for Fantilli.


Yes Fantilli is still going to be one of the best prospects in Jackets history... But I'm completely sold on Carlsson.

Rumor has it Columbus wants a C with their pick and that they really like Smith. Smith is ranked above Carlsson by NHL scouts in the last Bob McKenzie rankings. Maybe this will change after the World Champioship where he played on the 1st line, though.

All I'm saying is: be prepared to lose your shit.

 

[BB88]

Unless someone/some team thinks there is 3 players better than him.

& I just don’t see how there would be.

6’3 franchise 1C prospect, type you have to draft to land.

Not often do you have that level prospects available at 3, would have been easy 1st overall last year

I do think he has a higher ceiling than Fantilli. More high end offensive upside for sure.

Who knows how it will turn out, but I'd pick him over Fantilli. Now what about Carlsson vs Michkov? That's even more interesting question.

I take easily Carlsson over Michkov.

Better player today with less risk and plays the most important position

 

[BB88]

How would you react if Kekäläinen and co. Went with Smith instead?

At that point they’d have zero excuses to cry about on not having a C like Carlsson.

Smith just doesn’t feel like Columbus/Jarmo type player at all

Rumor has it Columbus wants a C with their pick and that they really like Smith. Smith is ranked above Carlsson by NHL scouts in the last Bob McKenzie rankings. Maybe this will change after the World Champioship where he played on the 1st line, though.

All I'm saying is: be prepared to lose your shit.

That rumour was pushed plenty by Portzline who said he has no inside info just based on his feeling.

From the same man who last year said Columbus isn’t picking Jiricek.

On those last polls/rankings the u18’s was the last thing on everyones mind, overreactions are expected.
This WC will get things back to normal

 

[Kalv]

Rumor has it Columbus wants a C with their pick and that they really like Smith. Smith is ranked above Carlsson by NHL scouts in the last Bob McKenzie rankings. Maybe this will change after the World Champioship where he played on the 1st line, though.

All I'm saying is: be prepared to lose your shit.

IIRC one of their management flat out said it on camera that theyŗe for sure picking a center, no?

 

[EK47]

For those who missed it watch Leo on the third swedish goal. He makes those kinds of plays all game long.

 

[Michoulicious]

IIRC one of their management flat out said it on camera that theyŗe for sure picking a center, no?

Yes, Davidson I think.

 

[CBJx614]

Rumor has it Columbus wants a C with their pick and that they really like Smith. Smith is ranked above Carlsson by NHL scouts in the last Bob McKenzie rankings. Maybe this will change after the World Champioship where he played on the 1st line, though.

All I'm saying is: be prepared to lose your shit.

Trust me I know. It makes no sense because..

That rumour was pushed plenty by Portzline who said he has no inside info just based on his feeling.

From the same man who last year said Columbus isn’t picking Jiricek.

On those last polls/rankings the u18’s was the last thing on everyones mind, overreactions are expected.
This WC will get things back to normal

And also CBJs director of pro scouting is the assistant GM of Team Sweden WC team. Safe to say they know Carlsson extremely well. We've seen in past drafts CBJs draft board doesn't look like most of the public mocks.

None of the major mocks had us taking PLD, none of the analysts even knew who Chinakov was when we picked him. Smith as the pick just makes absolutely zero sense. As BB said those lists came out while Carlsson hadn't played and Smith was in the middle of his jr's tourney. Carlsson has looked better than Fantilli and has been one of the best players on his team as a draft eligible player(albeit on a weakish Sweden team)

 

[Nipsey]

Wonder if he has cardio/conditioning issue similar to a guy like Kakko. Looked sluglish.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Trust me I know. It makes no sense because..



And also CBJs director of pro scouting is the assistant GM of Team Sweden WC team. Safe to say they know Carlsson extremely well. We've seen in past drafts CBJs draft board doesn't look like most of the public mocks.

None of the major mocks had us taking PLD, none of the analysts even knew who Chinakov was when we picked him. Smith as the pick just makes absolutely zero sense. As BB said those lists came out while Carlsson hadn't played and Smith was in the middle of his jr's tourney. Carlsson has looked better than Fantilli and has been one of the best players on his team as a draft eligible player(albeit on a weakish Sweden team)

It makes sense if the team feels Smith is the best pick with the most upside. These teams aren't picking this high for next year. They are looking down the road. That doesn't mean Carlsson won't be the best pick in hindsight but that won't be determined for quite sometime.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I don’t know, man. I think he could go 2nd to Anaheim. I would absolutely hate having to pick at 2. You know you are getting a great player, but having to pick between Leo, Fantilli, and Michkov would get me some really FOMO anxiety.

 

[Deleted member 339941]

 

[CBJx614]

It makes sense if the team feels Smith is the best pick with the most upside. These teams aren't picking this high for next year. They are looking down the road. That doesn't mean Carlsson won't be the best pick in hindsight but that won't be determined for quite sometime.

That's what doesn't make sense, there's nothing about Smiths play that leads one to believe he will be a better CENTER long term. He could possibly (and probably likely) score more than Carlsson, but when it comes to playing center and being the backbone of a team, all of the underlying numbers are in Carlssons favor.

The bluejackets already have two Will Smith's on the NHL roster and we need to add size to the offense.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

I think the argument for taking Smith over Carlsson is that he has a very dynamic offensive element to his game that Carlsson possibly doesn't have.

I would take Carlsson ahead of him but if you are aiming for a huge homerun, I can see why a team might go for Smith. Especially if that team is confident it can raise the floor of Smith's all-around game (which is certainly not great).

But in the CBJ's case when you already have Gaudreau, Laine, Johnson and Marchenko, Carlsson sure feels like the better fit.

 

[Parliament]

NHL had a small article on him yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the quote below - based on his response it seems like he feels he's going at #3 or #4 which isn't shocking, but interesting.

edit: I'd guess his agent would likey have decent intel?

The Chicago Blackhawks won the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery on May 8 and will have the No. 1 pick. The Anaheim Ducks have the No. 2 selection, followed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the San Jose Sharks and the Montreal Canadiens.

"I have thought about it a little bit about it, who Columbus has and who the Sharks have," Carlsson said. "But I haven't focused on it too much, to be honest.

 

[ozzie]

I have to admit, his play at the World's may have nudged him ahead, slightly.

As good as Fantili is, I get the feeling there is a lot more high-end growth for Carlsson and hockey smarts way from the puck. Both are good picks and it's very close and I'' pretty much torn.

As a Detroit fan, it would be even worse to decide between the Swede or the Michigan prospect if they had the second overall pick.

Based on nothing other than gut feeling if you asked me right now. I would take Carlsson at 2 and not look back. This may be my appreciation for players like Zetterberg and the success of Swedish players with Detroit in general.

 

[carl jung]

Rumor has it Columbus wants a C with their pick and that they really like Smith. Smith is ranked above Carlsson by NHL scouts in the last Bob McKenzie rankings. Maybe this will change after the World Champioship where he played on the 1st line, though.

All I'm saying is: be prepared to lose your shit.

Gonna be 2016 all over again lolololol

 

[Favster]

It's crazy to me that it took this tournament for some people to realize how good this guy is. He is a special talent. Was praying he would drop to Habs at 5, seems impossible now.

 

[Guadana]

Carlsson is clearly third best now in the moment after Bedard and Michkov. Should be drafted by Ducks In actual political and Michkov deal circumstances. And Ducks doesn’t like to draft small players. But may be they think they need more dynamic player.

 

[Castle8130]

I have to admit, his play at the World's may have nudged him ahead, slightly.

As good as Fantili is, I get the feeling there is a lot more high-end growth for Carlsson and hockey smarts way from the puck. Both are good picks and it's very close and I'' pretty much torn.

As a Detroit fan, it would be even worse to decide between the Swede or the Michigan prospect if they had the second overall pick.

Based on nothing other than gut feeling if you asked me right now. I would take Carlsson at 2 and not look back. This may be my appreciation for players like Zetterberg and the success of Swedish players with Detroit in general.

I agree with this. To me there is no clear choice at #2. Both have their faults and both have really high upside. I believe in Carlsson's upside a bit more, but it is a hard choice. Then you factor in offensive dynamo Will Smith. A player I think has the most offensive upside and you have a tough decision in the 2-4 range.

On top of all that, arguably the best player outside Bedard, Matvei Michkov, is in the conversation too.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

I have the BlueJackets taking him at numero tre! Leo Carlsson will slot in at numero dos a couple years time as a regular when some of the Old Guard leave are traded or released

 

[theslatcher]

Leo Carlsson - vinnare av EliteProspects Award 2023

Örebros Leo Carlsson - Sveriges bästa junior 2022/2023.

hockeysverige.se

Awarded the EliteProspects Award (awarded to SHL's best junior).

First recipient to receive it in a draft year.