Kevin Musto's 2023 NHL Draft Ranking

[ViD]

You've hit rock bottom.

No, you.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

No, you.

You're right. Responding to your post is indeed rock bottom.

 

[ViD]

You're right. Responding to your post is indeed rock bottom.

This is actually pretty sad if you’re unable to grasp that both this and Ed lists are basically an attention grab by either praising or demeaning Russian prospects and me making sarcastic fun out of it. The fact that you even decided to attack me for that is double sad

 

[Zine]

I don't dislike Simashev.

I think his positioning and awareness suffers at times. But I do believe these are things that he can overcome with experience and the right coaching. I like that he moves well for his size. I think he looks really good in juniors but it's also the MHL so it's a really poor league. In my viewings of his KHL games, he's a lot less noticeable.

I like him as a puck mover, but I think his shot is really bad. It can't beat goalies, and it makes him a lot less threatening as a quarterback.

So I like the tools with Simashev, but I'm unsure of how it will come together. I also think generally speaking, the KHL isn't a great place for developing defensemen. His organization's exports in recent years are Ilya Lyubushkin and Vladislav Gavrikov.

If Gavrikov is what Simashev amounts to, I think that's fine. But I also think this is a loaded draft class so the competition is stiff.

Thanks. Yeah I try to cite areas where I feel like prospects need to improve. It's rare that prospects are flawless so it's important to explain where there are weaknesses and if those things could potentially result in failure at the next level.

I'm unsure about Strbak. I have a hard time seeing what he'll be at the next level.

He doesn't produce enough be effective as an offensive defenseman. His skating isn't very good, so I don't think he'll be an effective stay at home defender since fast NHL skaters will blow by him and he'll have difficulty keeping up.

I think he's a good junior player, maybe a good college player. Beyond that, I just don't know. He's not super projectable other than his size.

Are you sure it's Simashev you're viewing?
His defensive awareness and positioning, along with his size (and skating for his size), are his best attributes. He's been very well coached.
It's his puck moving abililties that are questionable, although he's shown glimpses of amazing puck-moving talent from time to time. He just looks uncoordinated a little bit, like he's getting use to his large frame.
His offensive positioning is also quite good, but his awareness needs work once he gets the puck. His point total would be much higher if he had anything resembling finishing skills.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

A lot of negative reactions in this thread - that’s going to happen when you share an opinion that not a lot do - I don’t agree but I’ll say this, I love it when people go out of their way to share and explain their opinions like this. It helps me look at players with a different perspective.

This happened with Otto Stenberg and Matthew Wood this year for me. And I ended up having them relatively high in my final ranking.

I appreciate the work you put in here Kevin, even if i don’t agree. It‘s a great read.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

How big is Michkov really? I have to think he is bigger than the cited 148 lbs. or whatever but if it's only marginally over that isn't that a significant concern? What's his projected height/weight as an adult?

 

[Frk It]

Can I see some of the last few draft rankings from you???

Here:

Kevin Musto's 2021 NHL Draft Ranking - Top 32

PROSPECT RANKING WRITE-UP 1. LW William EklundDjurgårdens IF, SHL [5’10”. 172lbs. Born on October 12, 2002.] There isn’t a unanimous #1 in this draft, but Eklund is the most elite player available. He’s one of the best scorers in the draft. Just really good shot selection. His sharp offensive...

forums.hfboards.com

Kevin Musto's 2022 NHL Draft Ranking

PROSPECT RANKING🏒 WRITE-UP📋 1. LW Juraj Slafkovský TPS, Liiga [6’4”. 218lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.] Has a long reach which allows him to really shelter the puck at impressive lengths. He moves well for his size and can be physically assertive when it’s appropriate. It's not often you see...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[TK 421]

I don't dislike Simashev.

I think his positioning and awareness suffers at times. But I do believe these are things that he can overcome with experience and the right coaching. I like that he moves well for his size. I think he looks really good in juniors but it's also the MHL so it's a really poor league. In my viewings of his KHL games, he's a lot less noticeable.

I like him as a puck mover, but I think his shot is really bad. It can't beat goalies, and it makes him a lot less threatening as a quarterback.

So I like the tools with Simashev, but I'm unsure of how it will come together. I also think generally speaking, the KHL isn't a great place for developing defensemen. His organization's exports in recent years are Ilya Lyubushkin and Vladislav Gavrikov.

If Gavrikov is what Simashev amounts to, I think that's fine. But I also think this is a loaded draft class so the competition is stiff.

Thanks. Yeah I try to cite areas where I feel like prospects need to improve. It's rare that prospects are flawless so it's important to explain where there are weaknesses and if those things could potentially result in failure at the next level.

I'm unsure about Strbak. I have a hard time seeing what he'll be at the next level.

He doesn't produce enough be effective as an offensive defenseman. His skating isn't very good, so I don't think he'll be an effective stay at home defender since fast NHL skaters will blow by him and he'll have difficulty keeping up.

I think he's a good junior player, maybe a good college player. Beyond that, I just don't know. He's not super projectable other than his size.

How dare you defame Strbak in such a manner Kevin. Here's a GIF of James Franco using sign language to illustrate how I feel about that.

 

[Fyodorov]

I certainly appreciate the attention to negative aspects. Too many scouting reports read like a player has no weaknesses and is a guaranteed superstar.

Did I miss Bedard's weaknesses? Don't see them but maybe I'll look again

 

[LeProspector]

Here:

Kevin Musto's 2021 NHL Draft Ranking - Top 32

PROSPECT RANKING WRITE-UP 1. LW William EklundDjurgårdens IF, SHL [5’10”. 172lbs. Born on October 12, 2002.] There isn’t a unanimous #1 in this draft, but Eklund is the most elite player available. He’s one of the best scorers in the draft. Just really good shot selection. His sharp offensive...

forums.hfboards.com

Kevin Musto's 2022 NHL Draft Ranking

PROSPECT RANKING🏒 WRITE-UP📋 1. LW Juraj Slafkovský TPS, Liiga [6’4”. 218lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.] Has a long reach which allows him to really shelter the puck at impressive lengths. He moves well for his size and can be physically assertive when it’s appropriate. It's not often you see...

forums.hfboards.com

Homie had a guy at #20 who went completely undrafted. WOOSH

 

[ryan callahan]

Disagree with some of the rankings here. But the bozos just screaming at him because he goes off the general consensus without explaining themselves in depth need to take a hike.

 

[Kevin Musto]

A lot of negative reactions in this thread - that’s going to happen when you share an opinion that not a lot do - I don’t agree but I’ll say this, I love it when people go out of their way to share and explain their opinions like this. It helps me look at players with a different perspective.

This happened with Otto Stenberg and Matthew Wood this year for me. And I ended up having them relatively high in my final ranking.

I appreciate the work you put in here Kevin, even if i don’t agree. It‘s a great read.

Thanks, GS.

I always pay attention to your scouting work here.

 

[Kevin Musto]

How big is Michkov really? I have to think he is bigger than the cited 148 lbs. or whatever but if it's only marginally over that isn't that a significant concern? What's his projected height/weight as an adult?

Unfortunately he wasn't at the combine, so those are the latest measurements I have. Even on the official KHL site, he's listed at 147.

I have to imagine he's a bit bigger than that now, but it probably wouldn't be my much.

Kailer Yamamoto is playing in the league at 152. I think he's the lightest active player. And obviously Michkov has much higher expectations than Yamamoto.

He still has many years to go until he'll be in the NHL, so he has time to put on weight. But if his body won't allow it, there's only so much he can do. The hope would be for him to at least reach 165. That's where Gaudreau, Garland, and Point are at.

 

[Blue Chip Prospect]

I respect the work you put in there but I couldn’t disagree more with your opinion on Michkov.

Obviously the defence part and the cheating part is well known by now. But I wouldn’t say he gives nothing defensively. He’s actually a pretty good forechecker. Smart routes, good intensity even though KHL forecheck pressure is nothing like NHL forecheck pressure in most cases.

I also agree that he isn’t NHL ready whatsoever even though he would probably put up points right away because of how smart and skilled he is.

He’s not a fast skater but he’s a good skater that creates all kinds of small misdirections with his skating giving him plenty of time to navigate the ice. He doesn’t create seperation because I don’t think he’s even trying to. He’s a give and go all day everyday type of guy lol. He transition the puck through give and goes, he moves the defense and get closer to the net through give and goes …. He’s exceptional at involving his teammates to create.

I don’t know about the body language and stuff like that but his teammates all praised him. Some even said he became a leader on the team.

His offence off the puck is just as good as on the puck imo. He’s also an amazing play creator and extremely skilled passer. Board battle ? I agree but probably not going to be his role and also gotta give him a chance at his size and playing in the KHL. Play along the board though is very very good imo. He’s amazing at playing through contact too, he keeps possession even when pushed around and has exceptional hands under pressure to keep the puck away from defender’s stick.

Obviously evaluating players is extremely subjective. I completely disagree with your assessment but from one game to another, you might get a very different player unless you’re watching Benson, Leonard or Kalan Lind who are as consistent as they come.

The part that I absolutely don’t get is the Gallagher part. And I say that as a Habs fan. Gallagher has no hands, has no shot, has no real offensive IQ. He’s just extremely good at taking a beating and shoveling the puck in somehow. He doesn’t even time his disruptions, he just park his butt there and take a beating until he can find a way to put it in. Amazing what he did with the skill level he had but in no way similar to Michkov. At least not in my opinion.

I want to be clear, I’m mot trying to diminish your work or anything like that, I simply wanted to express my disagreement with that point as it stood out to me.

Good job !

 

[Blue Chip Prospect]

Unfortunately he wasn't at the combine, so those are the latest measurements I have. Even on the official KHL site, he's listed at 147.

I have to imagine he's a bit bigger than that now, but it probably wouldn't be my much.

Kailer Yamamoto is playing in the league at 152. I think he's the lightest active player. And obviously Michkov has much higher expectations than Yamamoto.

He still has many years to go until he'll be in the NHL, so he has time to put on weight. But if his body won't allow it, there's only so much he can do. The hope would be for him to at least reach 165. That's where Gaudreau, Garland, and Point are at.

He’s 172 on Central Scouting’s list. It doesn’t have the * so it’s not measured by them but I would bet their guess is better than ours. I made a video about him and said 148 too because that’s what the KHL website said but he doesn’t look 148.

 

[Kevin Musto]

The part that I absolutely don’t get is the Gallagher part. And I say that as a Habs fan. Gallagher has no hands, has no shot, has no real offensive IQ. He’s just extremely good at taking a beating and shoveling the puck in somehow. He doesn’t even time his disruptions, he just park his butt there and take a beating until he can find a way to put it in.

It's not that I think he plays like Brendan Gallagher. I'm saying that if he were to get bigger, he could play that way (obviously a better version with superior hands and IQ). I think already he's good at taking a beating, so he's got that covered.

I think right now Michkov likes to score in the slot. But at his current size, he wouldn't be able to park himself there in the NHL without getting pushed around. So if he stays around the same size, he'll probably have to play the perimeter a bit more than he'd probably like to.

I think it would allow for more versatility as a scorer at the next level if he could adapt his style to be more like Gallagher.

There are other comparables I could've used. Gallagher is just what came to mind for a small, feisty forward that's able to score from in close and infiltrate the defense.

He’s 172 on Central Scouting’s list. It doesn’t have the * so it’s not measured by them but I would bet their guess is better than ours. I made a video about him and said 148 too because that’s what the KHL website said but he doesn’t look 148.

Interesting.

I can't imagine he jumped from 148 all the way to 172. But it depends how old the 148 number is.

Though I agree that he definitely looks like he weighs more than 148.

 

[Tryamkin]

It's not that I think he plays like Brendan Gallagher. I'm saying that if he were to get bigger, he could play that way (obviously a better version with superior hands and IQ). I think already he's good at taking a beating, so he's got that covered.

I think right now Michkov likes to score in the slot. But at his current size, he wouldn't be able to park himself there in the NHL without getting pushed around. So if he stays around the same size, he'll probably have to play the perimeter a bit more than he'd probably like to.

I think it would allow for more versatility as a scorer at the next level if he could adapt his style to be more like Gallagher.

There are other comparables I could've used. Gallagher is just what came to mind for a small, feisty forward that's able to score from in close and infiltrate the defense.

Interesting.

I can't imagine he jumped from 148 all the way to 172. But it depends how old the 148 number is.

Though I agree that he definitely looks like he weighs more than 148.

 

[Nucker101]

Thanks, GS.

I always pay attention to your scouting work here.

How would you compare Ryan Leonard as a draft prospect to Peter Reynolds during his draft year?

 

[Goodman68]

Here:

Kevin Musto's 2021 NHL Draft Ranking - Top 32

PROSPECT RANKING WRITE-UP 1. LW William EklundDjurgårdens IF, SHL [5’10”. 172lbs. Born on October 12, 2002.] There isn’t a unanimous #1 in this draft, but Eklund is the most elite player available. He’s one of the best scorers in the draft. Just really good shot selection. His sharp offensive...

forums.hfboards.com

Kevin Musto's 2022 NHL Draft Ranking

PROSPECT RANKING🏒 WRITE-UP📋 1. LW Juraj Slafkovský TPS, Liiga [6’4”. 218lbs. Born on March 30, 2004.] Has a long reach which allows him to really shelter the puck at impressive lengths. He moves well for his size and can be physically assertive when it’s appropriate. It's not often you see...

forums.hfboards.com

As for the Czech players.. I see Kulich much higher than he was drafted and Svozila even in the first round. Definitely a good job from that point of view.

 

[EbonyRaptor]

I'll say this about Musto - he has unwavering opinions to the point of being obstinate, but he answers the call to back up his opinions and that is worthy of praise.

 

[Leksand]

who's kevin musto

Same q for me. If you google it's circular, you get to HFBoards and some MD.

 

[Leksand]

13th best prospect in the World summary "The way he lumbers around the ice looks lethargic and slow.".

Does the 14th best even have a pulse?

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

It's not that I think he plays like Brendan Gallagher. I'm saying that if he were to get bigger, he could play that way (obviously a better version with superior hands and IQ). I think already he's good at taking a beating, so he's got that covered.

I think right now Michkov likes to score in the slot. But at his current size, he wouldn't be able to park himself there in the NHL without getting pushed around. So if he stays around the same size, he'll probably have to play the perimeter a bit more than he'd probably like to.

I think it would allow for more versatility as a scorer at the next level if he could adapt his style to be more like Gallagher.

There are other comparables I could've used. Gallagher is just what came to mind for a small, feisty forward that's able to score from in close and infiltrate the defense.

Interesting.

I can't imagine he jumped from 148 all the way to 172. But it depends how old the 148 number is.

Though I agree that he definitely looks like he weighs more than 148.

But they still play nothing alike and are in different realms when it comes to talent, IQ, shot, physicality, defense, playmaking - it's like saying Fantilli will become a higher end Holmstrom because they're both big and score from the slot sometimes.

It kind of calls into question how much you've actually seen him play.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Same q for me. If you google it's circular, you get to HFBoards and some MD.

I'm just a poster here

I watch a lot of prospects and I've been posting my rankings here for a few years now.

But they still play nothing alike and are in different realms when it comes to talent, IQ, shot, physicality, defense, playmaking - it's like saying Fantilli will become a higher end Holmstrom because they're both big and score from the slot sometimes.

It kind of calls into question how much you've actually seen him play.

This is why I have few player comps in my write ups.

It's something people always get up in arms about, so they're rarely worth it.

 

[hawksrule]

13th best prospect in the World summary "The way he lumbers around the ice looks lethargic and slow.".

Does the 14th best even have a pulse?

I guess he left out clunky and awkward, but how else would one describe Wood other than lumbering and slow?